eleven88: Monticello

eleven88: Monticello
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

After the Star City conference, we were all asked to come play a service at the University of Arkansas Monticello MBSF center. There were a few twists, but no show is perfect, so we decided to make the Eastward journey.

They wanted us to play at 8pm, and, with it being just over a 2-hour drive, that put us on the road early, and late. I, of course was the last one to finish with classes for the day, at a clock-checking 3 o'clock (college rocks). We jumped in, and pulled out of the MBSF center for a series of horrible wrong turns and misjudgments by yours truly.

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I was trying to pretend like a bus driver, but it came out more like I was pretending to be a moron. I got us there 30mins late, hungry, and maybe a little carsick. :-/

Quick soundcheck, and the show went great. More importantly, the sermon was phenomenal. I wish I had the opportunity to hear this guy more often, because he was really something.

We drove back the same night, to make our 10am classes (college rocks), getting us bach in Arkadelphia around 2am.

A great trip. The seven of use seem to get along really well. I thank the LORD for such a great group of people, and hope that this group will continue to lead believers in worship.

HSU Oracle: Residence Life Cinema

HSU Oracle: Residence Life Cinema
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

Henderson has added a new movie channel, thanks to the Student Activities Board.

The channel, officially titled “Residence Life Cinema” is available through any cable TV on-campus, including dorm rooms. Students living in the Whispering Oaks Apartments will also be able to enjoy the new movie programming.

To get access to the movies rights, Henderson teamed up with “Swank Motion Pictures”, signing a 3-year contract. This new program comes at no cost to the students, and is funded out of the Dean of Students Office.

Cris McGough, director of residence life, will run the operation from his office. McGough was originally approached for the idea by Chad Fielding, dean of students. “This was his baby,” said McGough.

“If we can provide movies for students for free, how could they not be excited?” said Fielding. “I know if I lived on campus, which I have, I would love this program.”

A wide range of films will be shown, both old and new, anywhere from G-rated to R-rated. However, Fielding stated he will be making sure newly-release movies will make up the majority of the content. DVDs released on Tuesdays can be shown on the channel as early as Tuesday night.

Austin Walker, OBU junior and Christian studies major, sees himself taking advantage of the program. “I’m over there pretty often,” said Walker.

The Residence Life Cinema programming will call channel 21 it’s new home. This replaces the old “Henderson Information” programming. Televisions in buildings such as the Garrison Center used to rely the announcement channel to convey news to students. There will be a new announcement system in place soon.

The movies run in 2-hour blocks, beginning every day at 10 a.m. “We are trying to keep it pretty consistent so movies start on the hour,” said Fielding. The movies end at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with all other nights ending at midnight. “Right now it’s daytime and prime time” said McGough, “that could change”.

To maintain this tight schedule, non-movie content will need to fill the left-over minutes between each film, such as “Laundry 101” and “Campus Safety”.

McGough made it clear that they hope the students will help select the movies. There is not a system currently in place to facilitate any kind of suggesting or voting.

Taylor Loy, sophomore political science major, suggests there should be a democratic voting process. Loy founds his democratic process on a weekly online poll.

The voting process will be the secret to success, voting on movies within a system of genres. “This way, each type of movie gets played throughout the day and it doesn’t turn into a blow-em up movie channel,” one student said, “there is something for everyone”.

During the first trial weekend, some quality loss was visible on the channel. Fielding said they are they are working on making it a better signal. “Hopefully it will look like any other channel on your television,” said Fielding.

Aubrey Elliott, OBU freshman and instrumental music education major, wishes that her university across the ravine would adopt a similar program. “It would be great to get to see movies other than those that I own,” said Elliott.

The movie schedule will be displayed in between films, as well as printed to be distributed to all dormitory front desks.

“We will still be doing the Friday night movies in the Garrison,” said Fielding, “Nothing will change about that”.

Students will be able to save money by avoiding the movie rental store, but the system has gotten partial negative feedback. One student was concerned that the new program could “negatively affect academic proficiency”. Others welcome the new free movies with open remote-control palms, looking forward to friends coming over to watch newly-released movies.

“I love to watch movies. I especially would love to watch new movies that I didn’t have to pay for,” said Fielding. “If you are sitting in your room with nothing to do at least there are movies available for you to watch.”

Icy Menagerie

Warm Hat
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

After a few days of nerd lectures, it's time to lighten it up a bit with a menagerie post. Let me tell you, it's dang cold. Everywhere is freezing. Bentonville is under a phenomenal ice storm from what I hear, and Arkadelphia may be on it's way to a similar fate.

Lucky for me, I've got friends and family that care about me (and know the worst thing for me is dressing myself) who got me clothes for Christmas. I got a new jacket from Aubrey, new gloves from Mom & Dad, and a new hat from Aubrey's little sister Aaryn.I'm decking out head to toe for any mild adventure outside of the dormitory.

Last semester I worked at the Radio station, this semester it's the school newspaper. I'm currently writing a story that's due Thursday at noon. I'll be sure and post it here, first. :D It's important to me to be able to say, aloud, "you heard it here first, folks".

Aubrey and I got to drive over to Little Rock on Saturday for a little fun. It was mostly shopping, going in and out of stores not buying much. I managed to walk away with a new pair of $7 drumsticks, but that was about it for the college-student purchases. My highlight of the trip was the Park.

I've been taking quite a bit more photos recently. I've just been in a photographer kind of mood I suppose. If you don't typically, you should hop over to my Flickr page, that's where I hide them all.

I got a new LCD monitor for my PC. The old one started going bizzerk, so I waited for a deal, and pounced. I got this 20" widescreen monitor from Sceptre for only $140, free shipping. I love NewEgg.com. I love those words, "free shipping". It's icing on any good deal cake.

Appearantly I'm stressed, because my typical stress signals are loud and clear (like nightmares). But, I don't feel stressed, I feel excited and productive, fast-paced and timely. Maybe that's normal?

Travis Cottrell is currently working on a new album. Just had to throw that in here, I'm pumped like a BASKETBALL about that little nugget of the future.

That wraps up another scrambled menagerie post. Thanks again for reading, you two!

Product Shot Setup

Lens Product Shots Setup
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

The "Gaff on the Go" post from yesterday took a small amount of time to write, and an even smaller amount of time to photograph. I wanted to show how easy it can be to make simple, great looking photos (like the entry photo from the post).

First of all, the setup that I did here could be a little over the top for most of the readers. Instead of going through all the photo-nerd details of my setup, I'd like to just cover a few easy tips to making better looking photographs.

1. Photography is the capture of light. The more light your camera has available to it, the better it can do it's job. This is why most cameras have a built-in flash, to add as much light as possible at the instant the photo is needed. To crank out all that light continuously would take a power plant worth of juice, but as long as it's just for an instant, a TON of light can be created, and then abandoned instantly after the photo is snapped. However, this on-board flash can be kind of gross looking if it is the ONLY light source. So, turn on some lamps, open the blinds, do whatever you can to give your camera light. The best possible solution I can think of is to go outside, and stay in the shade.

2. Find a neutral surface or background to take your photo with. I like the wood of my dorm room coffee table. It's simple, un-distracting, colorful, but not boring. Solid white is not always the answer.

3. Mind the angle of the photo. The Gaff taped plastic case would not look half as good if taken from above, looking down. Move around a little, and find an angle that keeps your background nice and constant, while showing the subject from an appropriate and interesting angle.

Oh, and for the photo nerds. I wanted to get my ISO out of the dirt, so I cranked out my Alien Bee and fired it up to 1/4 power, washing one wall as soft fill. For my key, I placed a Canon 580EX-II speedlight on 1/2 power, 18in away. The speedlight is not nearly as powerful, and at "double" the power setting of the alien bee, it was barely the primary source. Shot low for depth, but at a decent f/stop for not too much depth. PP done in iPhoto.

Gaff on the Go

Gaff Taped MiniDV Case
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

I am always reading photographers' blogs out here on the internet. These guys and gals always come up with the neatest, most creative ideas. I finally came up with ONE half-decent something, and was proud enough about it to do a dedicated post.

Simple as it is, this is a plastic MiniDV case, wrapped with about 10ft of Black ShurTape Gaffer's Tape.

I am always needing a foot or two of this wonderful tape, but don't always have a full 60yrd roll on me. This small deal fits in my photo bag or in my pocket, and gets Gaff where I need it.

Oh, and I hope you like the photo. You can see a setup shot here of how I set it up. Usually I see photos like this done in all-white, but I love the look of my coffee table.

Simple, but I love it. Any readers that have a shared Gaff-Tape passion with me ought to relate to this Gaff-On-The-Go idea.