avansyn is chillaxin http://avansyn.posterous.com things I do in my spare time posterous.com Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:15:16 -0700 HOLY S*&% .. I'm obsessed with cropping. Rule of thirds, baby! http://avansyn.posterous.com/holy-sand-im-obsessed-with-cropping-rule-of-t http://avansyn.posterous.com/holy-sand-im-obsessed-with-cropping-rule-of-t

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:22:10 -0700 Wow, f/2.8 has a REALLY narrow focus range! http://avansyn.posterous.com/wow-f28-has-a-really-narrow-focus-range http://avansyn.posterous.com/wow-f28-has-a-really-narrow-focus-range

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:15:10 -0700 Gonna try my best to learn and shoot in Aperture Priority mode for a while http://avansyn.posterous.com/gonna-try-my-best-to-learn-and-shoot-in-apert http://avansyn.posterous.com/gonna-try-my-best-to-learn-and-shoot-in-apert

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:54:51 -0700 Using a Digital SLR Camera ... http://avansyn.posterous.com/using-a-digital-slr-camera http://avansyn.posterous.com/using-a-digital-slr-camera Using a Digital SLR Camera is A LOT harder than it seems. At first, I thought there would be an easy transition from the point and shoot world over to the dSLR world, but boy was I wrong. Sure, I could easily set the camera to be full AUTO, but where's the fun in that? 

One of my main learning issues right now is the autofocus system on my Nikon D5000. It's good, but sometimes the camera chooses the wrong subject (the corner of the blanket instead of my son's eyes).  By default, I believe the camera chooses the closest target but I will be playing around with using the spot focusing modes and the recompose later. I ran across this technique in Jeff Revell's book - Nikon D5000: From Snap Shots to Great Shots. 

Additionally, I'm trying to become more familiar with the "golden triangle" of photography, that is the relationship between aperture, ISO speed and shutter speed.  Since getting the camera a couple of weeks ago, I've already snapped 500 or so photos with less than a handful being "keepers".  The whole depth of field and aperture settings is a great feature, but at the same time can really ruin a shot if not set/used correctly.

As it is often said: "With great power, comes great responsibility ...", responsibility in getting a photo to turn out nicely.  After all, I can't blame the camera, it's all me, baby. I can't wait to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:56:08 -0800 Multies really are prolific breeders! I've got 2 sets of fry now, one on either side of the tank! Maybe time to get another tank! http://avansyn.posterous.com/multies-really-are-prolific-breeders-ive-got http://avansyn.posterous.com/multies-really-are-prolific-breeders-ive-got

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:45:30 -0800 Noticed my tank now has 8 multies fry instead of 3. Woohoo! http://avansyn.posterous.com/noticed-my-tank-now-has-8-multies-fry-instead http://avansyn.posterous.com/noticed-my-tank-now-has-8-multies-fry-instead

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:51:27 -0800 FREE Trogdor-themed episode of Strong Bad today ONLY http://avansyn.posterous.com/free-trogdor-themed-episode-of-strong-bad-tod http://avansyn.posterous.com/free-trogdor-themed-episode-of-strong-bad-tod
Media_httpwwwblogcdnc_inoyr
via joystiq.com

Get your Trogdor Game FREE today only! What are you waiting for? Click the link above for more!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Sat, 09 Jan 2010 07:06:32 -0800 20g Long multies tank pics http://avansyn.posterous.com/20g-long-multies-tank-pics http://avansyn.posterous.com/20g-long-multies-tank-pics Updated pics of my 20g long multies african shelldweller tank. Not sure if it's easy to see how much rescaping these little guys have decided to do on their own ;)

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See the full gallery on Posterous

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:52:33 -0800 Pic and Video of Multies Fry http://avansyn.posterous.com/pic-and-video-of-multies-fry http://avansyn.posterous.com/pic-and-video-of-multies-fry After about a month, the multies had a spawn! Below is a video of the parents fending away a female intruder. If you look closely, you'll see a little fry swimming around the mouth of the shell.

URL: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jUtSYQ-Zvw

Below are some pictures of the little fry swimming about.  I've spotted 3 fry, but there could be more. The little guys are so tiny, probably half the width of my index finger nail!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:56:29 -0800 Just realized Nintendo Wii has built-in Wifi after talking to coworker. Doh! It's game time. Bring it! http://avansyn.posterous.com/just-realized-nintendo-wii-has-built-in-wifi http://avansyn.posterous.com/just-realized-nintendo-wii-has-built-in-wifi

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:33:41 -0800 my multies spawned! I can see 3 babies, but can't get a pic of them as they are jumpy little buggers ;) http://avansyn.posterous.com/my-multies-spawned-i-can-see-3-babies-but-can http://avansyn.posterous.com/my-multies-spawned-i-can-see-3-babies-but-can

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:49:06 -0800 Planned to buy Batman Arkum Asylum for the Xbox 360 with Best Buy Gift Cert but couldn't find a copy. Taking it as a sign, now is not the right time http://avansyn.posterous.com/planned-to-buy-batman-arkum-asylum-for-the-xb http://avansyn.posterous.com/planned-to-buy-batman-arkum-asylum-for-the-xb

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:11:25 -0800 Turn Tiles into a 3D Fish Tank Background - DIY - Lifehacker http://avansyn.posterous.com/turn-tiles-into-a-3d-fish-tank-background-diy-0 http://avansyn.posterous.com/turn-tiles-into-a-3d-fish-tank-background-diy-0
Media_httpcachegawker_nnpaw
via lifehacker.com

Great little project for adding some depth and character to an aquarium. I go the easy route and either spray paint some type of textured paint on the back or just get a black/dark blue piece of paper. To each their own.

On a separate note, I find it *interesting* that since setting up a 20g long aquarium with Neolamprologus multifasciatus shell dwellers (aka multies), I've been seeing a lot more information about them around the web. It's nice to see that other techies are involved in the aquarium scene too!

For more on the DIY project, click on the link above for a step by step guide.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:57:40 -0800 Trying to catch the natural behavior of my fish, yet they always swim to the top when I near ... cichlids! http://avansyn.posterous.com/trying-to-catch-the-natural-behavior-of-my-fi http://avansyn.posterous.com/trying-to-catch-the-natural-behavior-of-my-fi

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:06:21 -0800 Shadow Complex Game on Xbox Live Arcade http://avansyn.posterous.com/shadow-complex-game-on-xbox-live-arcade http://avansyn.posterous.com/shadow-complex-game-on-xbox-live-arcade
via xbox.joystiq.com

This week only, you can get Shadow Complex on the Xbox Live Arcade for $10! Check out the video or click on the link above for more details.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:50:24 -0800 I use my office desk lamp in the mornings so I don't wake up the fish ... LoL http://avansyn.posterous.com/i-use-my-office-desk-lamp-in-the-mornings-so http://avansyn.posterous.com/i-use-my-office-desk-lamp-in-the-mornings-so

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:50:54 -0800 Gut Protruding Snail? http://avansyn.posterous.com/gut-protruding-snail http://avansyn.posterous.com/gut-protruding-snail Lately, the snail has been seen just sort of sticking to a weird spot in the
aquarium like behind the outflow of the hang-on-the-back filter. Also, it
looks as if he is protruding his guts from the snail at times. Is this
normal?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:19:16 -0800 10g guppy/platy tank http://avansyn.posterous.com/10g-guppyplaty-tank http://avansyn.posterous.com/10g-guppyplaty-tank Below are some pics of my 5yr old son's 10g aquarium. The substrate for the
tank is a mixture of eco-complete plant substrate and some mixed gravel. The
tank currently consists of:
- 4 fancy male guppies
- 3 Red Wag Platies
- 2 pepper corydoras catfish
- 1 snail

The tank is pretty much stock complete in my opinion. The are some bunches
of java fern in the tank to provide some natural plant life and aid in the
water filtration process.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:39:25 -0800 Shell Dweller Tank - jamieneaves http://avansyn.posterous.com/shell-dweller-tank-jamieneaves http://avansyn.posterous.com/shell-dweller-tank-jamieneaves
Media_httpi462photobucketcomalbumsqq343jamieneavesimg1957jpg_lxhbmhhlibjalva

Source: Shell Dwellers Forum (user jamieneaves)

I really like the interplay between the plants and rocks.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:44:00 -0800 Why does Amquel+ Stink? http://avansyn.posterous.com/why-does-amquel-stink http://avansyn.posterous.com/why-does-amquel-stink

Media_httpwwwdrsfostersmithcomimagescategoryimagesnormalp1550728263djpg_eufhcqqijfcjwil

Click on the following to learn more about Amquel+

Amquel+ does a lot of good things like remove toxins, conditions the water, all sort of good stuff.  But why does Amquel+ water conditioner for aquariums stink so bad?  I found the following explanation on a forum:

The smell is the sulfur in the main ingredients, hydrosulfieds. If it didn't smell light rotten eggs, you know it has gone bag. With proper dosing the tank should not smell like sulfur If it does, then you have another problem...hydrogen-sulfied gas pockets in your substrate. This is deadly.

I just keep my Prime bottle in a big ziplock once its open. Stops the cabinet from smelling. [via Cichlid-Forum]


Makes sense to me.  I like the tip about putting the bottle in a zip lock bag!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/326171/handdrawn_kodama.jpg http://posterous.com/users/KDAkRYfZJf avansyn avansyn avansyn