Riding the Rails

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Mark E. Johnson

Riding the Rails, originally uploaded by MarkEJohnson.

Seen while trying to escape Newark last week.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-27

Posted on June 27, 2010 by Mark E. Johnson

After a great friend's great wedding surrounded by great friends, even Newark looks nice in morning light. Still happy to be headed home. #
Been a long time since o road the rails regularly http://yfrog.com/15gw8yj #
This is just awesome. RT @VizJournalism: Now online: My New Hero http://visualjournalism.info/?p=1595 #
RT @BFarrar: Google, being the jokers they are, added a Vuvuzela button to the YouTube player http://bit.ly/cqqU3m (via @NOTCOTorg)#worldcup #
What can you learn about video journalism in 15 days? http://www.gradyjournal.com/?p=4992 #
I am actually watching tennis on television. That's how cool this never-ending match is. #
The wife has convinced me to stand in line for a new iPhone. She's kind of awesome. #

Making Pictures

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Mark E. Johnson

Spent the weekend up in Jersey City, New Jersey, at a friend’s wedding. Great time – lots of friends, lots of laughs and the happiest bride I have ever seen. She was bouncing – bouncing – during the ceremony.

After the reception, they had a shuttle to run us back to the hotel. Turned around to see my friends lined up and thought, “That looks like an album cover …”

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 35 mm f/1.4 L USM, ISO 6400, 1/125, f/1.6

Leaned heavily to the left earlier to catch this …

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 35 mm f/1.4 L USM, ISO 800, 1/160, f/2.8

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-20

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Mark E. Johnson

Really AT&T? I can throw a stone and hit New York City but I can't keep a cell signal for a three minute call? #

Out of Touch

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Mark E. Johnson

Being onboard a cruise ship for a week is a little disorienting, but in an entirely good way. No phones, no text messages … though we did pay for the Internet access because the Mrs. had some work to do, which meant I occasionally snuck online to check email and put out minor fires.

If we ever do this again, I’m staying offline entirely. Really, what’s the point of floating thousands of miles away from home if home follows you along? In Cozumel, I came across this patch of pay phones (credit cards only), completely unused. Made me happy.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200 mm f/4.0 L IS USM, ISO 100, 1/320, f/10

One Week Ago …

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Mark E. Johnson

I was bobbing along in the Caribbean. I shared a few photos from the sea, now a few more since I’ve almost caught up with real work. Almost …

One of the things that surprised me was how much the ship reminded me of Las Vegas – very golden and glitzy.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, ISO 800, 1/20, f/3.5

Which contrasted very nicely with the surreal blue we saw in the ocean from time to time. This is on a sand bar off the coast of Grand Cayman, where it was a little hazy …

Canon PowerShot G10, 9.8mm, ISO 80, 1/1250, f/4.0

Trying to shoot on the deck was a pleasant challenge. Lots of graphics, lots of color, but usually jam packed with people. Getting up early got me some nice light and no one at the pool at 7:00 a.m. …

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, ISO 250, 1/320, f/9.0

The ships are big, and expensive, but apparently if you buy in bulk, you get a discount … I’m not sure, but I think Carnival has at least three ships that are identical. We were on the Valor, at right, when the Conquest pulled up alongside us in Cozumel.