Verb of the Day: "Potatoe-Chip"
EDITOR'S NOTE: I am hard at work this week on something a little different, but it is gonna take me a coupla days to finish it up and write about it. In the meantime, I thought I would toss the following out to snack on...
__________
In case you were wondering whatever happened to former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle, he is now apparently popped up teaching spelling in Germany.
No, not really, but that is the first thing I thought of when I saw "potatoe-chip" being used in a California SunBounce video on YouTube.
Turns out that is just the way they spell it over there. Heck, maybe Dan was German. And for those of you in other countries wondering what the hell a snack food has to do with our former VP, well, best not to ask.
You say potatoe, I say potato -- but as a verb? Yep. Hit the jump, and we 'splain dis to you.
__________
When You Jump Out of a Burning Hotel, Aim for the Firefighter with a "Sun-Mover"
Okay, so maybe I consider a typical collapsible bounce panel and think, "Looks fine to me." But CSB's Peter Geller is German. And Germans tend to have a whole extra frontal lobe in their brains just for engineering. And Peter is not happy with your typical collapsible reflector.
I first saw a Sun-Mover about a month ago when I got to play with one at PMA. And when I say play, I mean, like, "play a drum" play.
They are oval shaped, and hold their considerable tension even in the wind. This creates a flat, predictable surface for bouncing light. And since the super-strong frames are constructed out of, like,transparent aluminum special high-strength steel, it is pretty much like holding a solid reflector. They even have motorcycle-like handles.
I'll shut up and let them explain:
I would not know how to describe the way a normal flex-reflector screws up the light when it gets a little breezy, but but Peter just points his German engineer brain lobe at the dictionary, and bam, "potatoe chip" is now a verb. Perfect.
And why should you care if it stays flat? Because a flat disc can throw a very efficient, focused, predictable beam of sun way better than a potatoe-chippy reflector can. Check out the before and after shots of light being reflected way into a doorway (about half-way down the page.)
For a lot of people, this level of efficiency might be overkill. And they are certainly not the cheapest reflectors out there. But for those of you who shoot using sun (or hard strobes) and reflectors in the wind and want predictability -- or long throw -- they are pretty flippin' sweet. And you can play bongo solos on it when you are kicking back after the shoot.
__________
We are, of course, huge fans of junk food here at Strobist International HQ. If you are wondering where to get the miniature Pringles, that'd be a Dubai thing.Sadly, we can't get them in the US, either.
UPDATE: Amazon for the win! If you are in the US, they are in the "gourmet" food section -- $17.72 for a 50 pack case, with free shipping for Amazon Prime folks. It's a Mini-Pringles Bonanza! (Thanks for the tip, Charlie!)
__________
In case you were wondering whatever happened to former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle, he is now apparently popped up teaching spelling in Germany. No, not really, but that is the first thing I thought of when I saw "potatoe-chip" being used in a California SunBounce video on YouTube.
Turns out that is just the way they spell it over there. Heck, maybe Dan was German. And for those of you in other countries wondering what the hell a snack food has to do with our former VP, well, best not to ask.
You say potatoe, I say potato -- but as a verb? Yep. Hit the jump, and we 'splain dis to you.
__________
When You Jump Out of a Burning Hotel, Aim for the Firefighter with a "Sun-Mover"
Okay, so maybe I consider a typical collapsible bounce panel and think, "Looks fine to me." But CSB's Peter Geller is German. And Germans tend to have a whole extra frontal lobe in their brains just for engineering. And Peter is not happy with your typical collapsible reflector.
I first saw a Sun-Mover about a month ago when I got to play with one at PMA. And when I say play, I mean, like, "play a drum" play.
They are oval shaped, and hold their considerable tension even in the wind. This creates a flat, predictable surface for bouncing light. And since the super-strong frames are constructed out of, like,
I'll shut up and let them explain:
I would not know how to describe the way a normal flex-reflector screws up the light when it gets a little breezy, but but Peter just points his German engineer brain lobe at the dictionary, and bam, "potatoe chip" is now a verb. Perfect.
And why should you care if it stays flat? Because a flat disc can throw a very efficient, focused, predictable beam of sun way better than a potatoe-chippy reflector can. Check out the before and after shots of light being reflected way into a doorway (about half-way down the page.)
For a lot of people, this level of efficiency might be overkill. And they are certainly not the cheapest reflectors out there. But for those of you who shoot using sun (or hard strobes) and reflectors in the wind and want predictability -- or long throw -- they are pretty flippin' sweet. And you can play bongo solos on it when you are kicking back after the shoot.
__________
We are, of course, huge fans of junk food here at Strobist International HQ. If you are wondering where to get the miniature Pringles, that'd be a Dubai thing.
UPDATE: Amazon for the win! If you are in the US, they are in the "gourmet" food section -- $17.72 for a 50 pack case, with free shipping for Amazon Prime folks. It's a Mini-Pringles Bonanza! (Thanks for the tip, Charlie!)
__________
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Posted at 12:00 PM.
47 Comments:
Hrmmm... The reflector was never turned "profile wide" into the wind. Are we now limited to taking pictures perpendicular to the wind direction (with reflectors) on windy days? Am I missing something here?
Thanks for the heads-up on the sunmover, which I'm going to check out right now.
But more importantly, you just rocked a Star Trek IV quote, and for that I salute you, sir!
Someone bashing Dan Quayle for his misspelling should probably spell "predictable" correctly.
we also get the mini pringles in the UK :D
Mountain bikers have been potato chipping and tacoing their wheels for years now......
Maybe our wheels should be tense ovals instead of relaxed circles...
Potato in German is "Kartoffel" - potato chip = "Kartoffelchip"
@Anon 1:01pm:
That was actually a typo, but thanks.
@Anon 12:54pm:
I wouldn't read anything into that -- you could wind surf during a gale with these things. Way strong.
@Anon 12:57:
What is Star Trek IV? I merely slipped up and revealed the actual metal used. Stainless steel is just a cover story.
@ All of the Anonymi-
Is the stigma of leaving a comment on this site so severe that we have to place all of the commenters in the witness relocation program or something?
Sign your frickin' name. Or sign *a* name. Sheesh, already...
-DH
Just when I promised myself I would stop buying gear that I thought I already had...
Damn Germans and their ubercool gear.
Sweet! Are you bringing one to Paso Robles next week so we can try it out?
I am anonymous April 21, 2009 12:54 PM.
David, if you EVER stop by St. Paul MN I'll buy you a beer (or a few) to help with your frustration level over these pesky Anonymous entries.
Sincerely, Patrick
Sign your frickin' name. Or sign *a* name. Sheesh, already...
LOL!
I was just thinking that!
Great site David! Awesome information and has helped me a lot with my technique. Thanks again!
Are you bringing one to Paso Robles next week so we can try it out?
Tim
Hey look, I signed my name!
I think the video would have been less dramatic if the bounce was aimed perpendicularly to the wind. From the viewing perspective, either the bounce or the flag would have had to been viewed head-on. You either can't see the product, or can't see how strong the wind is. Nitpicking!
Now if someone would just come up with a way to keep a lightstand from blowing over in the wind. Humans are great if you can get them, but many of them insist on being paid!
We have mini Pringles in Italy, too.
:)
Thanks for the 'heads up'! For me this might be a little bit of an overkill but good to know that they exist.
Oh, and by the way....
This is an exclusive offer JUST for you and your readers - I can send/ship a box of those mini-Pringles™ chips from Dubai in exchange for a 'SUN-MOVER with PermaTense by SUNBOUNCE™'
(1-1 barter deal. This AMAZING Offer is good until the end of this month!! No Taxes/VAT and excludes shipping)
In addition to the actual product, I found the wind direction in the product video very dynamic - from right to left in the first half and left to right in the second half. Maybe Peter is also testing out a new fan...
dubai thing?
get em in germany. i had one of these babies in my hands a few weeks ago (prototype on a roadshow) and i can absolutely verify your statement about these babies. rock solid.
PhyrePhoX
Damn you, people with mini-Pringles everywhere but here! You rub the lack of USA mini-Pringles in our USA faces!
You taunt us with your mini-Pringle superiority!
Fear not mini-pringles seeker!
http://www.amazon.com/Pringles-Potato-Original-5-Count-Packages/dp/B000OBNOW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1240343615&sr=1-1
@Not-just-anonymous:
Tipster Charlie Raymond beat you to the draw by mere minutes... (Updated)
:)
I can see it coming soon to Strobist - a mini-Pringle reflector to get that just so right golden light reflection.
Useless trivia of the day:
In the beginning, Pringle's used the word "potato chip" on their container. They eventually removed any reference to potato chips on packaging (smart decision) and sales sky rocketed because they were no longer being compared to potato chips – an unfair comparison. ;-)
There ain't no "e" in a potato,
but there is in a bag of spuds.
Time is more of the reason many use the annon, since the little name boxes don't have any memory and you have to put in all the name info every single time you make a comment.
Anyway, don't forget that in the spelling contest Dan Q. was in, they provided him with cards that had their correct spellings on them.
And I also liked the STIV reference. I watch that one (or part of it) almost every time it is on cable.
David -
You had to reach back almost 20 years for a worn out political cliché that was proven later he did know how to spell "potato", but the all too willing media made a non-story...a story...and now repeated again by an ex-newspaper type.
Funny, when will your blog weave Obamas' recent "57 states" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws) comment with some lighting device or modifier?
I love your blog for being informative and cutting edge on photography - and – for being non-political.
You are better than this, I would hope.
the girl is not holding the sun bouncer against the wind. The flag shows that the wind is blowing from the girl's right to left, and she is holding towards the viewers. Good trick huh!
@Rob-
Alright, ya got me. I am busted as a card-carrying member of the vast, left-wing conspiracy whose Life Mission is to sully Dan Quayle's legacy.
Next, we will set our sights on Herbert Hoover en route to our ultimate mission: The methodical dismantling of Benjamin Harrison's place in history.
It was a joke fer Pete's sake.
FWIW, I have voted Republican about as much as Democrat, and I am pretty sure that even Dan is over the potatoe thing by now...
-DH
p.s. Larouche in 2012!
I was using a reflector this weekend, (ProZigma) and found that when wrapped in the silver lining (hehe) the surface was very uneven, to the point that even pringles would have been ashamed.
However, this threw the light around a little, and created some very slight variations in the light quality on the face that would not have been present with this über-german product. I dont know what the obsessive German Engineers would say to this, but I kinda like it when its a little unpredictable :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/olahenriette/3455952671/ (image I'm talking about)
The Mini-Pringles are very popular here, they are even producing special stands for them (http://www.werksvertrieb.de/Sonderaktion/Gastangebote/Neu-Chip-Behaelter-fuer-Kartoffelchips-Chips-Erdnuesse::343.html).
An we Germans like to use words which sound like they were english, f.e. all Germans call their cell-phone "Handy". As a noun.
If you worry about your former Vice, look at our chancellor...
As a German I wanna add: potatoe-chip is used by old people only. Young hipsters like me use chip :D
-TM
Pringles are all but potato chips.
Ingredients here: http://www.pringles.com/pages/products/nutrition_minis.html
(I mean, they are made of oil! 30.4 grams fat, per 100 grams).
:)
Off topic. Publish it or not.
I watched an episode of Bill Moyers Journal on PBS. I thought of you because you work(ed) for the paper in Baltimore right? I don't want to seem all sappy, but the interview with David Simon is powerful stuff. Transcript here
http://tiny.cc/Moyers
Also available on iTunes and others
Never mind, David :D there's a german quote for those that don't/can't laugh:
"Zum Lachen in den Keller gehen"
"Going to the celler to laugh" ... or somehow like that XD
Being honest.. I've often written "potatoe"... I guess it's because of the plural as "potatoes" and "tomatoes"
~Dan
David,
I love your site, and the style you're writing in, it's funny, lighthearted and informative. Ignore the whiners.
I visit strobist at least once a day and it's helped me to greatly improve my flash-photgraphy (and I've yet to start on 101 and 102).
So thank you so much and keep up the great work!
@David "I am pretty sure that even Dan is over the potatoe thing by now..."
Yeah, he doesn't seem to be one to carry a chip on his shoulder.
Re: the potato chip bounce...
The only problem is that you can't use just one.
Chips ? You play poker with chips these are crisps and my kids prefer the normal size as they say the mini's are harder.
Great looking reflector though.
my reflector is always deep fryed and crunchy!
Why didnt I read this last week before I bought my self a new reflector!?
"(I mean, they are made of oil! 30.4 grams fat, per 100 grams)."
Well isn't that what makes them so yummy.
After all, who wants a cold beer and a rice cake?
Regular sized Pringles would do just fine, thanks :D
Just call them as the English and the anglophiles call them: "Crisps" or "flavor crisps." That leaves no dangling pluralization e to deal with -- problem solved.
Hi David...i think its time to reverse your color scheme. the white on black really messes with my head and eyes. just a thought from a lowly observer.
thanks,
James
Well, at least I didn't post as anonymous...
I wasn't going that far for the vast conspiracy thing...
After the last 2 years of Bush, then McCain, and now Obama, I don't think I have a political home...
Thank God I have off camera lighting, though!
Thanks for all you do - Rob.
Mmmmm, Sourcream and Onion or Barbeque??
I'll take one of each.
As a Trekkie I was surprised to learn that there is such a thing as transparent aluminum. I believe it was invented several years after Star Trek IV came out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_aluminum
BTW, great blog, keep up the good work.
Howard
That didn't seem much of a test to me either...holding it so it flows parallel to the wind? I'm pretty sure my westcott reflector can do that w/o bending :-P
I want a cheap regular sunbounce reflector...why are those things $200-300??? :-P
Because of the German Steel made by Bavarian Virgins Riding Unicorns deep within the forests!
Its a load of nonsense, because US or Japanese made steel is just as good if not better.
Get yourself an Impact 5 in 1 Oval reflector for about a hundred bones.
Hi Dave and all the Strobist fans and users.
I have met Peter Geller this weekend (last sunday) at the Naturfototage (nature photography days)in Fuerstenfeldbruck (that's near Munich) in Germany. A very nice person. The guys from California Sunbounce and we from FotoTV. had a really nice time with Mike Larson... and he did some cool shots.
Peter and some others had the great idea to launch a challenge. So we ended up with a long throw competition with the new Sun Movers. Yeah first I though the same thing... Why do we have to kill the equipment for promotion?
I am a students, why do I have to see this... it hurts to see that... BUT!!! HEY they did a GREAT JOB.
I personally did hit the really only tree around...
and surprise: Nothing happend to that Sun Mover...
The CS crew also calls it: "SHADOW GIVER". Yeah they are also fantastic with new words. So they don't potato chip and they are shadow-givers.
And I'm really happy, that they are really well made... I have won one at the competition. Thanks to Peter, my status of being a student and the will to fight for one of these Movers. Hey like I said... I'm a student... we don't eat meat every day... we need the money for equipment and good german beer.
So thanks to Peter Geller, Marc and Henning from FotoTV and Mike Larson... for the fun we've had with you and the CS guys.
Peter himself and Marc did some cool videos and I think they will be available soon at their homepage or on FotoTV.
I can post here, if you are interested... when they are online.
Sorry for my bad lederhosen-english but I'm potato-chipped from the weekend.
Best regards
Sebastian Stelter
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