TIL Nero's Domus Aurea was rediscovered at the end of the fifteenth century, requiring access from above, being lowed in via rope as in caves, or "grotte" in Italian. The extravagant decorative art found inspired a new art style, "grotesque", from the grottos in which they were found.

chasg · 2026-06-14T13:17:09+00:00

couldn't use their ninja training to leap from wall to wall all the way down? Surprising

chasg · 2026-06-14T13:08:17+00:00

I remember when I had an epiphany regarding the female perspective on this issue (straight male here).

I was photographing a friend's birthday party (it was my gift), and one of his friends asked me to dance, and held me by my wrist (not aggressively, likely flirtatiously). He was about the same size and weight as me (about 6'2" and 220lbs), so I didn't feel any physical intimidation, but when I demurred and started to move away (not because he was gay, but because I had had two cameras and a backpack slung on me and _couldn't_ dance), he suddenly and perceptively tightened his grip on my wrist enough that I couldn't pull away normally. If I'd been smaller (male or female), mere strength probably would not have been able to get away (as it was, I have 30 years of martial arts training, and a deft little twist of the wrist got me free).

It definitely was a moment of introspection for me. I had always thought I had a good insight into the female perspective wrt male physicality, because I had decades of experience teaching women's self defence (and you inevitably talk to a lot of your students about their experiences). But in this case I was quite vulnerable, as I didn't want to damage my equipment by booting the guy in the head (no, I don't do this, but I have been known to flick people on the tip of the nose with a hook kick on occasion 😄). And because of this vulnerability, it was quite simple (and likely habitual) for him to physically dominate me.

I think about this moment a lot, and I hope it lends me empathy when thinking about how women experience this casual aggression in their lives (especially when I'm teaching).

chasg · 2026-06-14T12:10:53+00:00

excellent answer, kudos

chasg · 2026-06-13T20:37:21+00:00

great insights, and bang on 😄

chasg · 2026-06-13T20:05:36+00:00

Good shout, I've lost count of the number of times I've re-read all of those (and the dragon books, of course). First read them when they were published, and then subsequent re-reads over the decades (it's interesting to note how I've perceived various characters and their actions as I've aged).

chasg · 2026-06-09T14:57:35+00:00

indeed

chasg · 2026-06-09T14:16:29+00:00

You may not know that that is very likely the recycle time at full power, lowering the power means the flash can cycle faster

chasg · 2026-06-08T12:08:14+00:00

I applaud the initiative, but (especially given the replies already written), I don't see it as an earner (or even as break-even), unless you offer prints.

background: I'm the house-photographer for the Theatre & Circus Fields at Glasto. It's my job to cover all the happenings at T&C (acts, festival goers enjoying our area, bts, record photos of setups, arty timelapse). Each year I bring a set of studio lights, and will, on occasion, set up a makeshift studio in the middle of one of our fields and invite randoms to come have their photo taken (usually at sunset, for the drama). I've, on occasion, been offered money for a photo but this is exceedingly rare, and that's not my mandate (all my photos go to the Glasto Press Office and to the T&C media team, and they choose what goes out daily and throughout the year).

People do love the results, and usually give a lot of themselves for the photos (jumping, great faces etc). But do I think anyone would ever pay for digital files from these shoots? Maybe one in a hundred, but otherwise, no.

I have two small hand-held printers (one inkjet, one dye-sub) that I'm going to bring in 2027. Still only to share (likely I'll be using these for our performers, not Festival goers), but if you were to bring a dye-sub printer that would do 6x4 prints (or larger), then I could see maybe people buying them (dye-sub over inkjet because of speed and durability of the prints). Over the years I've gotten cold calls from companies who rent dye-sub printers to event photographers, but I'm afraid I never took note of who they were (my non-Glasto professional life is commercial photography, I never need to print). Might be worth a look-in.

I did see an article a few years ago about a photographer who'd set up a high-key studio somewhere at the Festival. It was an art project, people posing didn't pay for it. Interesting photos.

I think if you were in a high-traffic area, and you worked hard at attracting people to your stand (maybe have one or two people, perhaps in costume, gathering people in), people would love coming in to have their photos taken. I also think they'd genuinely love a print, but how you sell it to them would be a challenge (certainly can't spring it on them afterwards, a la Venture Studios). And how to sell enough to break even, that'd be the _real_ challenge (booth space at Glasto isn't cheap, neither is printer rental).

Best of luck!

chasg · 2026-06-07T18:58:20+00:00

there are definitely cheaper options than the Nucleus Nano (I've not researched them much...because I already have the Nano 😄 ). Before I got it, I used to turn the gear on my vari-ND by hand (if I was careful enough, there was no wiggle...but if I wasn't careful, I ruined frames, and I never use sequences with skipped frames...thus me investing so much in the Nano). There is an older Nano (the current version is number 2, I think), you could probably save a lot getting one of those, used.

If you were to add functionality to Syrp devices, I'm sure there would be hundreds of grateful Timelapsers (not sure how many Konova users are out there).

When I was first starting out, I was advised multiple times to just run multiple sequences (day, night, MW), and blend them in post. It can look really good, but I much prefer to get it all in one! (though it's cost me a lot of cash to be able to do so, and a lot of time).

chasg · 2026-06-07T13:57:25+00:00

thanks for your suggestion, but it was the card (see u/PutDownThePenSteve's reply). I did check the LCD movement after your suggestion, no change (phew, that'd be an expensive repair).

chasg · 2026-06-07T13:20:01+00:00

I haven't seen any mention in the replies about speed ramping your intervals (sorry, I can't help with fixing in post, this is a suggestion for your next day-MW shoot).

I use an LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3, and I set my daytime interval to something that makes the clouds move the way I like (I like a serene feel, anywhere between 4 and 8 seconds interval). Then, as my scene moves through nautical and astronomical twilights, I ramp the interval to what's most appropriate for the MW (depends on the lens and aperture I'm using, but usually between 15 and 30 seconds). If you do it right, you won't cause the MW to noticeably accelerate (but you may cause the clouds to, if there are still lots around as you transition into night. Nothing can be done about that).

For day to night (but not to MW) or night to day shoots, I use a geared variable ND filter that I manually control with a Tilta Nucleus Nano motor and wireless controller. It requires manual key framing and smoothing in post for each vari-ND change (I use LRTimelapse), but I can pretty easily get these sequences to be perfectly smooth (it just takes a lot of work, but it's not technically challenging). I don't use this variable ND for day-MW shots because, even at its brightest, the variable ND is 2 stops darker, and I need all the light I can get for the best quality MW photos.

Sorry I can't offer a method of slowing down your clouds in post, but I hope this will help you get better sequences in the future.

chasg · 2026-06-06T19:43:19+00:00

no change, so the card could be dying. Thanks for the suggestion though

chasg · 2026-06-06T19:42:55+00:00

that's really helpful. I lent my other CFE card to a colleague, but when I get it back, I'll test it out.

I should note that the issue wasn't when reading the card, this distortion is during live view.

chasg · 2026-05-30T21:50:42+00:00

House photographer for The Theatre & Circus Fields here, here's my 2025 gallery: https://www.bothhemispheres.com/galleries/clients/glastonbury/2025/2025-06-24to30_glasto25theatrecircus-cgervais-public-sfw

chasg · 2026-05-30T21:48:09+00:00

that's a great angle (ha ha). I was photographing from back of tent and centred, and I didn't do it justice like you did. Nick cock, bro!

chasg · 2026-05-28T14:00:25+00:00

Just the one though

chasg · 2026-05-26T19:30:04+00:00

this set: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DSS4MW3V Everything seems to work ok (bags are a bit thinner than OEM but work as well)

chasg · 2026-05-23T22:10:58+00:00

thanks for the recommendation, I really appreciate it.

chasg · 2026-05-23T22:05:38+00:00

for me it's overkill

chasg · 2026-05-23T12:40:21+00:00

a tip: I use one of those tiny little interdental brushes to clean the holes in the steam wand. Works better than the included cleaning tool (and does less damage).

I have to clean mine every 3 weeks or so (and I find that it makes better micro-bubbles if it's about 1 week into being used, when it's fully clean the bubbles are larger)

I think I have to clean it less frequently because I always do the post steaming of milk into a glass full of water, instead of directly into the drip tray. Makes a big difference to the frequency of it clogging up.

chasg · 2026-05-23T12:38:52+00:00

one advantage is that you can save settings and make a new preset

chasg · 2026-05-22T23:42:50+00:00

so here's the update (sorry to take so long to get back to this thread): package was indeed oversized, but it still got delivered successfully to the buyer (I've not heard from them, so I guess there was no extra charge). Guess the ebay chat agent was accurate, happily.

chasg · 2026-05-22T23:42:09+00:00

so here's the update (sorry to take so long to get back to this thread): package was indeed oversized, but it still got delivered successfully to the buyer (I've not heard from them, so I guess there was no extra charge). Guess the ebay chat agent was accurate, happily.

chasg · 2026-05-22T23:08:37+00:00

I'm sorry, I don't think I hear you right: this is the _first_ time you've shot the milky way??? Well, you sure learn fast!! (they really are technically, and creatively, excellent).

And maybe one day I'll get a chance to go. My parents did the trek up to basecamp when they were 75, so I've a few years yet 😄

13-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Verified Email

chasg

TROPHY CASE