Monthly Archives: January 2014

RescuePro Deluxe

Today we have something of a product review combined with a workflow experiment.  None of this was something that I wanted to do but circumstances dictated it was time.  I had been out for the day shooting some wildlife including some sea otters – that will show up in a future post – and, one returning home and downloading my images, a few of the shots showed up strangely with no preview in Lightroom when I started to import them and were apparently corrupted on the card.  Not sure what the cause of this was.  The body had just come back from an annual service at Canon and the card was a new one.  However, they both worked fine for the majority of the day with just some minor problems with a couple of dozen shots.  I shall try and sort that out later.

So, to the problem at hand.  I use Sandisk Extreme cards and have had virtually no problems to date.  Therefore, I was in new territory.  One thing that I do have as a result of using these cards is a bunch of coupons for RescuePro Deluxe.  This is software for retrieving lost files from cards.  I had used it once many years ago when recovering some shots that had been deleted on the card but not formatted and it had worked well.  That was my issue then.  Now I needed it due to a problem I hadn’t created.

My first minor problem was that the software defaults to recovering the images to a folder on the C: drive.  Since my desktop has an SSD running the OS and everything else on other drives, it isn’t overloaded with space so dumping 32Gb of images on to it caused a minor hiccup.  A kicked out of the program, restarted it and found how to change the output directory and then we were off and running.  However, now I came across my next issue.  It found all of the files on the card, not just the ones that were lost.  This is where the brain had a small “doh” moment.  I figured if I opened up the card in Explorer and deleted the good shots, it would mean the search would be a lot quicker.  Of course, if you are using software designed to find files that have been deleted, it still finds them all.  Why didn’t I think of that at the time?  Oh well, no big deal since this was all running in the background.

The result of the scan is that all files on the card are now stored in a folder.  Unfortunately, they are named sequentially File001, File002 etc.  This makes working out which are the missing files a bit more tricky.  So, two things were needed for the next step.  First, find out the filename for the first file on the card.  Then import all of the files into Lightroom by adding them where they are rather than copying them to a new location.  With them in Lightroom, it is a simple task to rename them all to their original names using the rename function and making sure you start with the filename of the first file that we found a moment ago.  Now all the files have the right name and are still in the recovery folder.

The next step might seem counterintuitive.  I delete them all from Lightroom.  I don’t delete the master files; just remove them from the catalog.  Next – trust me, I haven’t gone mad – I them re-import them all.  At this point, Lightroom sees the files with the right names and details and so automatically recognizes which ones are already in the catalog.  It then will pick out the ones which were the original missing files and you can import them properly to wherever you want them.  Now the recovery folder can be deleted (subject to your normal backup protocols).  It sounds a bit complex but, if you work through the process, the longest part of it is the scan of the card for the files in the first place.  After that, it all happens pretty quickly.

While RescuePro Deluxe is not the most user friendly piece of software, it did do what was required and I got it free with the cards I have.  You don’t own the software.  You get a one year subscription with the coupon.  Hopefully I won’t need it again this year but it is there if required.  I have a bunch of these coupons from various card purchases so I imagine I will be in good shape as long as required.  If you have gone through something similar and have a better way of dealing with it, please do let me know.  It is always good to learn from the experiences of others.

Oakland Architecture

wpid8674-IMG_1763.jpgThis is a piece that will probably lead to me having another go at something.  In this case, these pictures were all taken with my phone.  It was an opportunistic thing but I shall make the effort to go back with some more camera options at some point before too long.  Oakland is one of those cities that has been around for quite a while so it has some interesting architecture mixed in amongst the more boring city center buildings.  A short walk from the office at lunchtime takes you passed a few of them.

wpid8680-IMG_1766.jpgThere is a great art deco feel about some of the buildings.  The intricacy of the carvings and the colors of the stone make for some great looking places.  Also, a couple of the theaters are really old school and they just look great.  Very close to the office is a split where Broadway and Telegraph go their separate ways.  The difference in angle is not substantial and you can be a few blocks further up and they really haven’t diverged much.  Consequently, Oakland has its own version of the building fitting in to a tiny plot.  New York may be famous for this but I think Oakland’s version is even more extreme.  See what you think.  Now to come back with more time and better lens options…

SFO Quick Visit

wpid8727-AU0E9989.jpgOn my way home I wanted to stop into SFO to get something specific.  JAL operates their new 787s into SFO and the daily arrival is around 4pm.  I had seen a few shots from people catching it coming in and had been planning to try and get it for a while.  This was a good opportunity since the weather was looking nice.  I got there slightly ahead of time and just in time to catch an EVA 777 coming in.

wpid8729-AU0E0249.jpgIt was a quiet time at SFO so I was able to relax and watch the activity along the shoreline between arrivals.  A few departures looked interesting but the light was too far round to get a decent shot of anything that wasn’t departing from the 28s.  A few heavies did go from there and I made sure to shoot them for practice.

wpid8731-C59F2308.jpgThe JAL 787 showed up as planned and so I got my shots.  I was a little unsure about lens choice.  SFO is a place where the 500mm can be very useful but it is too much for the longest aircraft when they are abeam you.  The 787 is a deceptive aircraft that looks smaller than it really is so I was a little unsure as to whether to risk the long lens and miss the shot.  I started out with the 100-400 which was fine for the part where it crossed the threshold and the aircraft holding for departure.  Things looked about right so I quickly swapped back to the 500 and it was not too much.  Good to know in future.

wpid8733-AU0E0272.jpgI was about to head home after the arrival when I looked up and saw a four engine jet passing over heading to the approach.  A quick check on Flightradar24 confirmed it was a Swiss A340 so I figured I could manage ten more minutes.  Once it was on the ground, a Virgin and BA 747 pairing were taxiing out.  The Virgin jet went off 01 so was not well lit from my side and the BA jet spent so long taxiing it was clear the sun would be below the hills before it got going so I called it a day.

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Sonoma Skypark

wpid8740-C59F1862.jpgA return trip to Sonoma was something I had been planning and I went back up for the Saturday burger lunch.  This time I was a bit more focused on actually getting some images of the visiting aircraft.  The lunchtime run attracts a great selection of aircraft.  I would keep an eye on what was happening since the better location to shoot from is on the other side of the field.  Regular trips across were required when something either appeared in the pattern or I could see someone getting ready to head out.

wpid8756-C59F2200.jpgWe saw some nice aircraft.  A great 1952 Beech Bonanza made a visit along with a Taylorcraft and a Stinson.  I also watched a group head out in a combination of a Cessna, a Super Cub and an Apache.  Trying to pick the right spot to get them when airborne but not too high was not easy.  Thankfully, Eric gave me some good pointers.  However, depending on how heavy they were, things could change a bit.

wpid8762-C59F1933.jpgThe weather was great again so the lovely winter light, even in the middle of the day, made for some great shooting.  I had other things I needed to do during the day so I didn’t stay around as long as I would have otherwise liked.  However, it was still fun.  I also shot some images of some RC models that the guys were flying between the movements of the larger aircraft.  Quite hard to shot since they are close and move a little bit more erratically but panning practice is always welcome.

Bodega Bay

wpid8671-C59F1792.jpgOur run down the coast brought us to Bodega Bay.  Neither of us had been there before but we had heard it was pretty and also knew about its appearances in The Birds!  No attacking avians on this day but we initially passed straight through the town without being terribly impressed.  However, we had seen a turning off towards Bodega Bay head so a backtrack took us along a different road around the bay.  We were also hungry at this point!

wpid8665-C59F1747.jpgFortunately, we soon came to an area where the fishing boats tied up and there were two places selling crab sandwiches.  One was a small hut which only had a couple of items on the menu and the other was a bigger looking place with a wider menu but a lot less people.  We figured the simple option of doing one thing and doing it well might be the case in the hut and went for their crab sandwiches.  They were excellent.  No wonder the place had a line outside it.

wpid8669-C59F1791.jpgSuitably reinvigorated, we headed up to the headland.  Here you had a view back to the bay but a more interesting view of the cliffs and the shoreline.  A stroll up the cliff path was in order (that crab sandwich needed to be burned off) and the appeal of more crashing waves on rocks was too much for us to resist.  The sun was shining and the wind was not too strong so it was a really nice place to be and, while we weren’t alone in thinking this, with so much space, it never felt like you were in a busy place.  What a great end to the trip.

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Pacific Coast Highway

wpid8658-C59F1675.jpgReturning from Mendocino County provided the option of driving along the coast heading south.  The Pacific Coast Highway is a great choice if you have time on your hands and we did have.  Therefore, we headed this way.  The run down the coast is a combination of great views, long runs along the cliffs and the occasional area of twisting road around the inlets that occasionally cut into the shoreline.  When the road is quiet it is a lot of fun.  If you get stuck behind a bunch of RVs, it suddenly is a little less enjoyable.

wpid8660-C59F1685.jpgWe stopped a number of times en route to enjoy the view.  One diversion out towards a lighthouse provided a lovely overlook of the shore including a bay below us that was full of sea lions.  Despite the crashing waves, this area apparently provided a bit of shelter and the sea lions were seemingly taking it easy behind the protection of some rocky ledges.

wpid8656-IMG_1761.jpgThere are lots of areas with large rocks slightly offshore.  This reminded me a lot of the coast of Oregon (which, since we weren’t that far south, is probably not that surprising).  Heading south we were looking into the sun so had some lovely reflections of the light off the water.  Occasionally the edge of the road was very close to the top of the cliffs so you do have to stay focused as you drive along but it is a beautiful area on a sunny day.  I imagine if a storm is rolling in from the ocean, it is also dramatic but a little less welcoming.

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Russian Gulch State Park

wpid8530-C59F1575.jpgWhile eating lots of good food is a fun part of a trip away, it does provide you with some encouragement to have a bit of exercise too to try and offset what you have consumed.  Combine that with some scenery and a plan starts to emerge.  Nancy had found out about a trail at Russian Gulch State Park that led to some waterfalls.  This seemed like a worthwhile venture so off we set.

wpid8522-C59F1539.jpgSadly, our planning did not prove to be quite as good as we had hoped.  The access route to the park was closed off at a certain point which we assumed to be the normal starting point.  Instead, I think we were a bit further out that the distances in our guide suggested.  Also, the distances they gave, even assuming the change in start point, were a bit optimistic.  Consequently, as we headed further in and the clock ticked by, we realized that we were not going to get all the way to the falls and get back out again before it started getting a bit dark.

wpid8520-C59F1536.jpgThe valley is very sheltered, particularly at this time of year, so the lack of direct sunlight means it is a bit darker in there and, as the sun drops, it will get a lot darker than the surrounding area.  It also gets a bit cold since the area is very moist.  We wisely turned back to ensure we weren’t going to get uncomfortable.  Besides, judging by the flow of water in the river along the valley floor, the falls were probably not at their most productive.

wpid8526-C59F1563.jpgThe valley itself was really pretty.  Combinations of all sorts of plants that like damp environments and tall trees reaching up to gather sunlight at their highest reaches made you feel like you were in a scene from the Hobbit.  I was particularly impressed by some young trees that had chosen the stump of a chopped down tree to use as their base.  The little trunk rising out of roots that were drooping down the sides of the stump looked very cool.

wpid8528-C59F1572.jpgWhen we had finished the walk, we headed around to a sinkhole in another part of the park.  This is apparently quite impressive at high tide and when the waves are strong since the hole makes all sorts of sounds as the air is compressed by the water.  Sadly, it was low tide while we were there so it was just a big hole.  However, the walk there did give us a great view of one of the bridges along the Pacific Coast Highway.

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Llamas

wpid8501-AU0E9732.jpgNo long story for this one.  A llama farm was beside the road in Albion and I wandered over to see the animals one morning as they grazed.  They seemed mildly interested in me for a while and then kept eating.  I grabbed some shots of them and then went on my way.  I know llamas are hardly a rarity these days but it is still interesting to see them.

Fortifications

wpid8254-AU0E8699-Edit.jpgThe Marin Headlands provide a great place to enjoy some lovely coastal scenery.  They were also a militarily significant location for many years.  Protection of the entrance to San Francisco Bay meant that a string of forts were built along the coast here.  The high ground provided an excellent base for large guns to take on an attacking fleet.  Some of these forts were operational while other emplacements were built just in time to be considered obsolete and they were never finished.  Now you can walk through the gun emplacements and imagine what they would have been like when operational.

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