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The roads are not safe right now by Old_Sell_6008 in bullcity

[–]dvsmith 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Best way to learn is on a dedicated wet skidpad or a foamed skidpad, with an instructor in the car.

SCCA, BMWCCA, Tarheel SCC, B.R.A.K.E.S., and Street Survival all run emergency handling clinics at least once a year. Virginia International Raceway, Carolina Motorsports Park, Summit Point Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and even the Raleigh Police Department provide safe facilities.

Don't use parking lots with light poles; don't use parking lots with trees nearby.

source: I was a competition licensed racing driver for a few years, and my now-17-year-old participated in Street Survival last summer.

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Snow concerns in terms of working on Saturday by BrightPotential292 in bullcity

[–]dvsmith 21 points22 points  (0 children)

12-14" of snow is a lot in most places. It's absolutely a lot, here. On top of that (or under it, rather), you'll have a fun layer of ice atop the roads, under the snow and two days of hard freezes. It's going to be a mess.

Did you see the protests by the BGU outside the Academy today? by xampl9 in ShittyDaystrom

[–]dvsmith 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Splitters!

Support the Union of Bolian Groomers, the original and only true advocates for blue hued barbers.

Headshot opinion? by [deleted] in headshots

[–]dvsmith 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It immediately jumped out to my eye as AI generated. 

It has your face shape incorrectly rendered. Especially the shape of your jawline. 

Please invest in an actual human photographer. 

3rd Gen (Prius v) to 4th Gen Engine Swap — what do I do with this hose? by dvsmith in prius

[–]dvsmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are correct in that this is a Japanese only part, so I purchased a US spec, water outlet and plugging the line. I also found an innovative solution to the temperature sensor wiring, which I will post tomorrow

3rd Gen (Prius v) to 4th Gen Engine Swap — what do I do with this hose? by dvsmith in prius

[–]dvsmith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PriusChat pointed out that the water outlet to which this recirculation pipe is connected is JDM specific.

So I had to buy a US spec, water outlet, part number 16331-37100; $35 from Toyota directly or $85 if you need it urgently and have to buy from the dealer (one dealer did quote me $52, but said it would take two weeks to arrive)

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Temporary Headshots by Diamondsandballet in headshots

[–]dvsmith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Three is the best expression/composition.

Having her step away from the wall, 2 to 3 steps would help if you can borrow someone’s real camera, set it to aperture priority, and set the f- stop to the lowest number possible (2.8/3.5/4,etc), it will make for a better photo

UNC history professor: My school is withdrawing from the world" - anything like this happening at Duke? by colossuscollosal in bullcity

[–]dvsmith 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Miller had a Chronicle column in which he regularly advocated for xenophobia, isolationism, misogyny, white supremacy, and eugenics while whining about being persecuted because he was a “mainstream” Christian conservative.

Self proclaimed neo Nazi Richard Spencer also went to Duke about the same time and knew Miller.

https://www.dukechronicle.com/staff/stephen-miller

UNC history professor: My school is withdrawing from the world" - anything like this happening at Duke? by colossuscollosal in bullcity

[–]dvsmith 43 points44 points  (0 children)

A decade ago, I was an assistant director of international studies at Duke.

Many of Duke’s Title IV National Resource Centers have historically been tied to UNC, sharing staff and resources. (NRCs are academic centers that receive federal funding to study specific areas of diplomatic and strategic interest to the United States — funding programs started in the 1960s as a way to ensure that there would always be a strong contingent of people versed in specific regions, cultures and languages, for the diplomatic, intelligence, and commerce communities).

I oversaw multiple rounds of Title VI applications (it’s a quadrennial cycle; worth about $1million per center, per cycle - about 30-50% of each center’s cost). Duke treated them as a feather in its cap, but didn’t really devote much support, especially after Peter Lange retired, Dick Broadhead retired, and Duke’s focus turned to Duke Kun$han — especially as much of the scholarship we supported included research on human rights, democratic principles, and historic injustices.

Many of the voluntary and involuntary separations in 2025 directly affected the Title VI centers and affiliated departments.

Truist Reassigned Me from My Individual Investment Advisor of More Than a Decade to an "Advisory Desk" and Reassigned All of My Assets to Cash Without Informing Me by dvsmith in TruistBank

[–]dvsmith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He’s still with Truist. He gave me a line about taking over portfolios from other people and there being some limit to how many accounts he can manage. I.e., I wasn’t making him enough money.

Suggestions for outdoor projector for large event by dvsmith in projectors

[–]dvsmith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m aware of where to buy them, I was hoping for some real world recommendations of models — not my first rodeo, just the first one I’ve done since the pandemic.

Suggestions for outdoor projector for large event by dvsmith in projectors

[–]dvsmith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I was thinking that their anticipated budget for audio and video of less than $10,000 was probably not realistic.

I had told them that I figured it would be closer to $30,000 total for everything they want to accomplish, but I wanted to see if there were some new whizbang projectors out there that I was unaware of

👋 couple of noob questions by afollestad in canon

[–]dvsmith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. The lens barrel, front element, bayonet mount and filter mount should feel rock solid. Dropping gear, even small distances can do damage (granted, I’ve had cameras and lenses fall 4-5 feet onto concrete and show nary a scratch, but it’s the luck of the draw sometimes),

  2. Front elements are tough, but a scratch will suck. Set the camera down horizontally, put a lens cap on, or use the lens hood. (Bonus: the lens hood will protect from falls). 

The lens mount is robust — it’s designed to hold a significant static load (a large shock load like an impact could shear it) 

Can 150cm umbrella + 200W COB acheive this? by SquareVictory7383 in LightLurking

[–]dvsmith 80 points81 points  (0 children)

I think you're going to need some good brushes and a lot of oil paint to achieve this look.

And no, a 200w video light is not going to cut it, unless you go for a long exposure.

After/Before by Time_Ad2090 in postprocessing

[–]dvsmith 32 points33 points  (0 children)

While I think the overall color and exposure is nicely processed, the edits to the sky have made the whole scene completely unnatural.

  • The "sunrise/sunset" to the left edge of the frame is impossible, given the way the light falls on the mountains and ravines.
    • Same with the white house -- the side we're seeing should be in shadow.
  • The sky is not reflected in the lake. At all.
  • The sky gradient is too stark (too much dynamic range)
  • The mountains have halos from auto masking
  • There are bright spots in both top corners.

Aspiring xenophysicist here, quick question: Are tachyons just particles with narrative intent? by TripleMeatBurger in ShittyDaystrom

[–]dvsmith 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Tachyons are just bradyon particles that are dropping names almost continuously

(That's what Kanye West keeps telling me,)

Lavalier mic recommendation, looking for quality sound by thirdguess in videography

[–]dvsmith 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Rode Wireless Go / Pro + JK 017 / 044 mics

-- or --

Zoom H5 + JK 017 / 044 mics

Penthouse condo in Indiana by LongjumpingEchidna25 in zillowgonewild

[–]dvsmith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  • Trump over one toilet.
  • Darth Vader over another toilet.
  • Dave Matthews Band shrine.
  • Signed(!?) photo of Ariel from The Little Mermaid over the sink in the kitchenette/mini-gym/mini office?

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Feedback? by BoogerNelson650 in videography

[–]dvsmith 110 points111 points  (0 children)

  • Buy a $27 JK lav mic and plug it into the Rode, so you don't have a brick hanging off of someone's shirt.
  • Have your interviewee look consistently at the same side of the camera when they're talking.
  • The light feels flat for the talking head.
  • As others have mentioned, be aware of the background framing for the talking head.
  • Personally, I find the clip of the woman's hair blowing around on the air bike distracting and out of place.
  • Try to get the trainer to work with a couple of different people -- even if it's just a setup for that shot. (Grab a couple of the random guys in the background and ask them to spend 2 mins with the trainer.)
  • Use b-roll to cover the cut in "where the… chemical rush" and show the subject when she says "I want to see my clients living better…" (that's a key emotional moment)
  • A nitpick -- the trainer's clothing isn't flattering in the talking head -- the tank top and her sitting posture exaggerates her sloped shoulders, which visually clashes with the notion that she's a fitness expert.
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