One piece of software I’m trying to understand better is Flash. This program is a popular topic of debate these days, what with HTML 5 looming on the horizon; the concerns over its efficacy within the general rubric of thoughtful web design; and Apple’s steadfast refusal to incorporate Flash in their popular, fetish-generating gadgets.

All that brouhaha aside, almost any software that has the capacity to render motion pictures appeals to me.

I have an extensive background in both film and digital photography and decided to blend together several images I’ve collected for another art project I’m developing. Once those were selected and sequenced to my liking, I decided to layer some text over the visuals to strengthen the narrative. I eventually chose a poem from a book titled, “The Romance of Comets” by Mary Proctor which was first published in 1926. I don’t think she actually wrote the poem, but whoever did managed to pen verses portentous enough to withstand the ominous imagery I had woven together.

I realize the finished product has a serious and earnest tone, but it was fun (and challenging) to put the whole thing together.

Now if only I could figure out how to get the menu bar to show up at the bottom of the screen. I’ve used the Kimili Flash plugin for WordPress and so far haven’t been able to configure it so people can start and stop when they want. If anyone has an answer, feel free to leave a reply or send me an email.

[Update]

Apparently a ‘play’/'pause’ button can’t be added using this plug-in. I’d have to create them in Flash.

The last time I visited New York City, the only camera I brought was a cheap medium-format model with a Bakelite body, plastic lens and one shutter speed (1/60^th sec.). I think I bought it in a fifth-hand shop for a dollar. What it lacked in craftsmanship and technological wizardry was made up for with the ability to make wonderfully abstract images.

I went for a stroll after dinner one evening and ended up at Rockefeller Center. It was dark and both the statue of Atlas and the impressive skyscraper behind it were lit brilliantly from below.

Eschewing the need for a tripod (the camera doesn’t have a machined receptacle for one anyway) I had to place the camera against a concrete parapet for support and stability.

This type of instrument really forces you to harness and trust your photographic instincts.

Fortunately, I did have a light meter. It turned out I needed an exposure of at least 1/2 second. That translated into pressing and releasing the shutter 30 times – with as little unnecessary movement as possible – to get the shot.

Needless to say, the camera did shake slightly. But under the circumstances, I think that movement contributed to an appealing, painterly image.

I love my Canon DSLRs, but at that moment, I’m glad I didn’t have it with me.

I‘ve been suffering from a bout of writers block. So in place of a freshly minted post, I submit a piece of advice from American filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (and JLG):