Before the internet and cell phones kids had to scrounge baby buggy wheels, an old plank, some rope and miscellaneous hardware to make life more interesting. No helmets which meant iodine and band aids
where accepted consequences for tipping over and meeting the pavement. No matter it was worth having
the wind in your face with a few moments of controlling your destiny. Brakes? Who needs some stinking
brakes? Your adventure was only limited by your imagination and the slant of the hill.

Today … August 4 … marks the date in 1790 when the Coast Guard was formed by Congress.

In celebration of that Service, I thought I'd share photos from an event I attended last night … August 3rd.

Last Wednesday, I got a call from a fellow I know, inviting me to an event his company putting on ... it was described as:

A CLIENT EVENT ABOARD THE Tall Ship USCGC EAGLE
Hors D’oeuvres, Beer & Wine

Yup ... a chance to visit the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle!!!!! And there was going to be Food?!?!?!?! Oh yeah!!!! I was ready!!!!

The event was held while the USCGC Eagle was moored in Portsmouth, NH (sadly, it did not involve an actual sail). A photographer friend & I spent the evening touring the ship & taking photos. What an amazing treasure that ship is. For those who don't know, it started life in 1936 as part of the German Navy. At the end of the war, the US took the Eagle as war reparations. She sails with cadets who aspire to become Coast Guard officers.

Some might ask, why would the Coast Guard train modern day officers on an old historic sailing ship. A website I saw (beyondships4) said it best:

"The Coast Guard cites two reasons. First, Eagle builds character. Having to climb rigging and be on an open deck in all weathers pushes the trainees to the limits of their endurance. It requires them to face and overcome their fears. In addition, they have to work together as a team in order to sail the ship. These are good strengths to have in future officers."

That sounded like a very logical approach to creating leaders & clearly suggests that the Coast Guard is built around some very strong, capable & talented people.

I've read the masts are as tall as a 15 story building & there are 23 different sails in total. Setting the sails requires 190 different lines (ropes) totaling more than 5 miles in length, to hoist the entire 21,350 square feet of sails!!!!!! That must be some feat to watch!!!! I'd love to sail on her & take photos while she's underway.

What an evening it was … I hope you enjoy the photos & I tip my hat to those who served in this noble branch of the military.

Frank

I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK II. I want to put 12-40mm f2.8 on it to start but the price, is a bit high. Any suggestions for second best choices? I'm looking possibly at some long range zooms? From Panasonic or Olympus? Olympus Digital 14-150mm f4-5.6 II M.Zuiko ED MS? Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 Vario Power O.I.S. HD Lens MFT? So I don't need two lenses. Im also looking at the Panasonic 12-32mm??

Possibly Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. MFT Len?

Opinion on Olympus Purchase 20190508
I would like opinions on the purchase of a Olympus OM 10 M1 Mark II. This is there most second expensive camera I am 75 years old and the weight of my Nikons (Nikon D500 and Nikon 5100) with their lenses is significant.
My interest with the Olympus is that it fits my hand hater than any camera I have had. It is like a glove when I hold it and fire it at the store. In fact I have held the camera many times when visiting the store. I know this may be a silly reason to purchase the Olympus.
I also have an Olympus Pen F and some lenses. Even with the additional Pen F grit it does not fit my hand in the same inviting way.
I take mostly macro pictures and have an Olympus 60 mg macro lens. My Other pictures are variable and barns etc. I take no sports. I do not plan to self my Nikons.

Thank you for your advice in the past and present.

Terry Sandlin

I haven't used my camera much because of crummy weather this winter. So, when we had a nice sunny day yesterday I thought I'd take my 50mm lens out for a stroll and see if there were any closeups I could shoot. But I couldn't get the darn thing to autofocus when set on AV mode! I tried everything, thought maybe the contacts were dirty, but AF worked fine on auto setting or any of the presets, just not on any of the set-it-yourself modes. What the heck??!!!?? Thought maybe it was the battery so I charged it, then got the camera out today to see if I could figure it out before posting to UHH.

Turned out I had set back-button focus up last time I was out. I didn't work with it long enough to make a memory, I guess. So a little red sticker is going on the outside of my lens cap to remind me I have BBF on until it becomes second nature. Guess the brain cells are getting harder to access.

BTW, thanks to all who discussed BBF before. It really does make it easier to focus while keeping the camera still. Looking forward to another sunny day, maybe this weekend.

I know I've posted before that we're going on a cruise in October, up the east coast from Boston, terminating at Montreal. I don't want to lug my A6300 and lenses, at the same time not wanting to mark myself as a potential victim of theft by the camera slung over my shoulder. So here's the dilemma: What do you veteran cruisers recommend for a compact travel camera? (yes I asked before). Is 200mm enough zoom or should I look at something longer. Something longer would have the 1/2.3" sensor in order to get the reach, but I could get 200--250mm zoom and a 1" sensor in a compact. This is driving me crazy. I've done enough researching online to know the strengths and weaknesses of both, but I'd love a good recommendation, as I have no idea of what is adequate for this, not having done a cruise before. Thanks for your indulgence and patience with me.

I am looking at restoring some old family photos and looking for suggestions as the best way to do this. I have a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera with a 100mm lens. Is it better to scan the photos into the computer to work on it or is it better to photograph the photos to put into the computer to work on. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am planning on using PS for the PP, but listening to any other suggestions, also. If you know of any websites, etc. that would help with the steps for this process that would be greatly appreciated. My knowledge of PS is not great, but slowly improving with use. Thank you in advance.