Category Archives: advice requested

Software to aid with making hatched illustrations?

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Oleg Volk

Does anyone know of software that can semi-automate the process of making hatched drawings from photographs?

Posted in advice requested, art | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Who lives where?

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Oleg Volk

Do any of my readers live in South Carolina? I may be traveling in that direction in early March. How about central Pennsylvania, late February?

Posted in advice requested, interesting people | Tagged | 13 Comments

Why are ersatz foods ingredients so common in the US?

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Oleg Volk

US isn’t a poor country. Yet typical food includes junk like corn syrup. Even in fairly expensive restaurants, imitation crab is used instead of real crab. Airlines serve absolutely foul artificial creamer instead of half-and-half or cream. Typical baked goods, … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, food | 30 Comments

How to turn off viewfinder auto-adjustment on Alpha 77?

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Oleg Volk

A friend lend me Sony Alpha 77 to try out. I noticed that the viewfinder brightness is proportional to the exposure. If the ambient exposure is insufficient, the viewfinder turns black. The camera doesn’t know that I have studio flash … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | 6 Comments

Guns for the handicapped: amplifying a fundraising appeal

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Oleg Volk

BayouRenaissanceMan talks about the challenges of finding affordable defensive arms for his disabled trainees. If you are able and willing to help out, I think this is a project worthy of support.

Posted in advice requested, self-defense, weapon | Tagged , | Comments Off on Guns for the handicapped: amplifying a fundraising appeal

How to reach Frontier Airlines? (Update — problem solved)

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Oleg Volk

A friend is sick this morning and needs to postpone a flight with Frontier. Their hold time is in the “40 minutes range” but they always drop the call at about half-hour mark. The web site doesn’t offer the option … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 2 Comments

Canon flash needed in Las Vegas

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Oleg Volk

I am in Las Vegas for SHOT show. I brought two studio flashes with me but managed to leave out my hot shoe mount flash. I can try to have it shipped but I am not certain that the package … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | 3 Comments

Arrows quarrels and bolts

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Oleg Volk

Where could I get a few Medieval-looking arrows and/or bolt for a photo shoot? They don’t have to be functional, but have to look old rather than modern in construction. I’d like to have them by January 20th.

Posted in advice requested | 7 Comments

Studio or another indoor space for photos in Minneapolis

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I am looking for a space that I could use for portrait, gun poster and figure work this coming Saturday, January 3, near Hopkins, Edina or Minneapolis. Does anyone have suggestions or leads? Outdoors is just too cold this time … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Any Canon 70D users in Nashville?

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I am considering adding a 70D to my 5Dmk2 as a more video and action oriented body. However, I’d like to try it for a day before buying. I just tried a friend’s Nikon D700 and the user interface improvement … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | 1 Comment

Gianni Rodari in English?

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Does anyone know if “The Blue Arrow” or “Jasmine in the Country of Liars” have ever been translated into English?

Posted in advice requested, book | 1 Comment

Video playback sound problem.

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Oleg Volk

In the last week, I noticed that about 10% of Youtube videos play without audio in all three browsers (IE, Firefox, Chrome). For example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic4PQ-tnwJw plays fine but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXhQNRsH3uc has no sound. I am not sure how to fix that. … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 1 Comment

Video card problem?

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Just had both of my screens blink to black for a fraction of a second. It did so twice over about five minutes. Exhaust temperature from the fans is cool. Any thoughts on figuring out what’s going on? (The PC … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | 8 Comments

Procedural smoke, fire and the like

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Does anyone know of specialized standalone programs (not plugins for more complex 3D rendering programs) that simulate smoke, fire and other natural effect?

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 4 Comments

Models needed around Cocoa, FL for this week.

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Looking for models age 20-35, men and women, who have at least some familiarity with safe handling of firearms. The projected look would be young professionals who enjoy recreational shooting and appreciate the defensive utility of firearms as well. I … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, interesting people, rifle, weapon | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Help me find a person.

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Today, on my flight from Nashville to Orlando, I sat next to a very interesting gentleman. I was fresh out of business cards. We intended to swap contact info after deplaning, but got separated. If you know who this person … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested, interesting people | 4 Comments

Good places to shop with Bitcoin?

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I have a small Bitcoin account and would like to put the funds in it to use. What’s a good place to buy electronics or ammunition with it?

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 3 Comments

How to break plumbing glue?

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I am repairing a toilet tank for a friend. Got the replacement parts, but the entire flapper seal assembly seems glued in place. Prying it with a flathead screwdriver didn’t work. Any suggestions on how the glue could be broken … Continue reading →

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 9 Comments

Verifying lens calibration

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I’d like to verify AF calibration of my lenses with my primary camera body? What’s the nearest place to Nashville where I could get that done? I tried doing it myself but the results were inconclusive.

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | Comments Off on Verifying lens calibration

Connections at camera companies wanted.

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Oleg Volk

In particular, Fuji and Panasonic, though others would be of interest also. I’d like to T&E some of their gear and write it up, but lack the connections to the right people.

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | 1 Comment