In modern photography, the “Petzval Mod” is a camera lens hack that will turn a dull, run-of-the-mill Soviet camera lens into a dreamy, kaleidoscopic master shooter. The modification will provide a surreal, swirly background field, or bokeh, that envelops the center subject. To put it in basic terms, you need a HELIOS 44-2 common 35mm…
Read MoreOkay … one more Nightowl Radio Show for my 40th college reunion.
Well, this is interesting. And although I thought about not doing this for at least a hot five seconds … I’m doing it. Of course I am. This June, I will attend my 40th college reunion at Hamilton College, which still amazes me that they even let me attend the college – and eventually let…
Read MoreThe Latch Hook Covered Bridge project as of May 12, 2025
It’s a very good thing I purchased all my yarns ahead of time for this latch hook rug project. And I shall explain. First, a recap. Here’s the left panel of what will be a three-panel rug. And I’m currently working on the right panel, and here’s where I was the last time I blogged…
Read MoreSo, yeah … about those skeleton flowers …
Five months ago, I purchased several skeleton flower plants from a nursery in Nebraska. I’ve tried and tried and tried to get skeleton flowers, with the hope of taking incredible photos of their wisp-thin petals and entering those photos in competition and walking away with a boatload of ribbons. Heck, I even blogged about the…
Read MoreWhat’s Up in the Neighborhood, May 10, 2025
Has it stopped raining yet? No? Well, in that case, come on over to the computer and check out the totally dry and warm blog posts and photos from my fellow bloggers and photographers and writers on my personal blogroll. Let’s see how they’re getting through this rough weather. Have a great (and dry) weekend,…
Read MoreCan my Pentacon Six TL handle a Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad shooting day?
This is the day. Pentacon Six TL “full debut day.” Because on this day, I am going to put this medium format East German camera through its paces. I’ve already run tests and trials … now let’s see if it can act like a camera that’s worthy of staying in my arsenal. I’ve packed several…
Read MoreSherman Tanks have no use for Elon Musk
I’m currently resting my hand after a surgical procedure yesterday, so this blog post will be short. But I couldn’t resist showing this YouTube clip of a 98-year-old World War II veteran and how he expressed his feelings about Elon Musk. And by “expressed his feelings,” I’m talking about using a vintage World War II…
Read MoreK-Chuck Radio: Who is Broken Peach, and why do I want to hear more?
Okay. As near as I can figure out, Broken Peach is a cover band. A cover band that takes pop standards and rock classics, glams them up, rocks them up, and performs them while wearing weird costumes. That’s all I’ve got. But man, when they take these songs and ramp them into overdrive … I…
Read MoreThe Albany Patroons and New York Phoenix finish the “Route 5 Rivalry” at two wins apiece
Last night, it seemed as if the Albany Patroons would start their coveted matchup with the division-leading New York Phoenix at a major disadvantage. One of their top scorers, Derrick Rowland Jr., has a busted hand. One of their bench players, Justice Brantley, has an injured foot. Their All-Star, Trahson Burrell, was scheduled to leave…
Read MoreK-Chuck Radio: The hit song by a man who was a Beatle for two weeks
Jimmie Nicol had a long and varied career as a session drummer. And it all culminated in an amazing story where, in 1964, he substituted for Ringo Starr during the Beatles’ tour of Australia. Ringo had tonsilitis and was unable to perform, so the Beatles recruited Nicol and he performed along with them during the…
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Chuck The Writer 
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