Details of Bits and Pieces

We headed over The Henry Ford Museum on Friday to enjoy the "James Cameron's Avatar Exhibit." Along with displays of props and artistic models, I had a chance to play with the hands-on computers, creating plant life for Pandora and direct a three-dimensional orientation with a virtual camera.

Shining up the Brass
copyright 2013, Stephanie Maatta Smith

Lock No Key
copyright 2013, Stephanie Maatta Smith

The Henry Ford has many camera-worthy objects. During our visit, I chose to spend time working with my 35mm prime lens. The lens has great depth of field, and high level of detail for close-up work. The real challenge is the lighting in a museum -- low light to protect and isolate the artifacts. This meant having to work with exposure as well as depth of field to make good images. I resorted to on-camera flash occasionally to fill in some of the shadows.

Lines and Curves
copyright 2013, Stephanie Maatta Smith

For me, no visit to the museum is complete without a moment to daydream over the 1931 Bugatti Royale. It's all lines and curves and drama. Today there was a teen boy leaning over the barrier taking a close look, and urging his Mom to take his photo with the vehicle -- good taste for one so young.