I am definitely one to let perfection get into the way of good enough. Such as it is, this photography website has been in alpha mode for quite some time; more than two years, to be honest. But, it is now entering the beta stage, with a commitment to myself to launch it officially next week.
I am leaving comments open to start. Hopefully, we can engage in interesting and mutually beneficial exchanges.
As a photographer and particularly as a Nikon shooter, I find Joe McNally a "must-follow," particularly during the Olympics. You will find images on his Instagram and stories of his experience on his blog.
On both platforms, he shares recent images, background stories, workflow and tips. He is also known for responding to comments. I recommend in particular an interesting blog he wrote about his workflow at the Rio Olympics. And, he has already posted a couple of stories from Tokyo 2020.
Some photographers are knowledgeable. Some are skilled. Some are artistically gifted. Some are nice. Joe McNally is at the intersection of all of these qualities.
While many Nikon fans have been looking forward to the arrival of the Z 8 or Z 9, Nikon surprised its following with the Z fc. Its vintage design is a nod to the FM2 and perhaps also the cult favourite Df. Unlike both, however, the Z fc is an APSC body, with specifications quite similar to the Z 50. To be fair, this is not just the Z 50 dressed up in a vintage exterior, as the old-fashioned newcomer also features a fully-articulating LCD screen (first amongst Z-mount bodies), better eye-AF in both stills and video modes, as well as USB-C charging. Perhaps taking a page from Apple, Nikon will offer the Z fc not only in black but also in white, natural grey, amber brown, sand beige, coral pink and mint green. It can be purchased with a 16-50 mm lens or a special edition 28 mm full-frame lens.
There have been reports that the Z 50 has been a successful product for Nikon, being its first and, until now, only APSC body for the Z-mount. The Z fc will undoubtedly take sales away from the Z 50. But cannibalizing one’s own product line is not a bad move if the total sales grow. If nothing else, this is another sign that Nikon is far from waving a white flag.
John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra and Deke were the original space cowboys collectively known as the Mercury Seven. They were introduced to the American public on April 9, 1959 as the world's first astronauts. Their exploits and pioneering space journeys are regaled and romanticized in Tom Wolfe's novel, the Right Stuff, which led to an Oscar-winning film in the 1980s and a more recent TV series.
By all accounts, the Mercury Seven lived up to their reputations in qualifications and accomplishments. To be selected, they had to meet specific criteria, including height (5'11" or shorter), age (younger than 40) and a pilot's license. They also had to endure challenging physical and psychological testing and training.
There was another group of pilots, younger than 40 and shorter than 5'11", who went through similar testing and training as the Mercury Seven. Over time, they became known as the Mercury 13. Some members of the Mercury 13 performed better than the majority of the Mercury Seven on certain tests. But not a single one was allowed to go to space. They were disqualified on two technicalities. First, they did not have the requisite engineering degree. Second, while they were excellent pilots, they were not pilots trained by the US Air Force. NASA saw fit to waive the first requirement for John Glenn because, he was John Glenn, a much decorated war hero and the first human to complete a supersonic transcontinental flight. And, also, because he was a man. The Mercury 13, you see, were all women, who were then not allowed in the US Air Force and therefore could not have met the second requirement.
The names of the Mercury 13 are Myrtle Cagle, Jerrie Cobb, Janet Dietrich, Marion Dietrich, Mary Wallace Funk, Sarah Gorelick, Jane Briggs Hart, Jean Hixson, Gene Nora Stumbough, Irene Leverton, Jerri Sloan, Bernice Steadman and Rhea Woltman. These women, because of gender discrimination disguised by technicalities, were denied a chance to go to space. That will change in 16 days, when Mary Wallace Funk, aka Wally Funk, will become the first member of the Mercury 13 to go into space, roughly 60 years after demonstrating the same right stuff as the Mercury Seven. She will become the oldest astronaut in history, fittingly beating the 1998 record set by then 77-year old John Glenn.