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I found a new service (thanks to my RSS reader) for people like me who take a lot of photos and are looking for new ideas and ways to use them. Photosynth creates a 3D model of the subject based on uploaded photos. Photosyth goes way beyond the idea of a panorama and really does give the viewer a feeling like they are viewing the actual subject.  Installing the program will also install a brower plug-in for viewing the output, called a “synth.”

Here’s more from Microsoft:

“An Entirely New Medium

Synths constitute an entirely new visual medium. Photosynth analyzes each photo for similarities to the others, and uses that data to estimate where a photo was taken. It then re-creates the environment and uses that as a canvas on which to display the photos. The potential uses of Photosynth can range from sharing experiences to storytelling and documentation.”

You may view my synths here.

For people like me who take a lot of photos of the same subject, but from different angles and perspectives, this is a perfect application to gather all those photos together for maximum effect.  Another great thing about Photosynth is that you can embed the synths into websites:

If you enjoy photography, why not give Photosynth a try?

Photos by MJ Klein

It’s been awhile since we had a visit to our local night market on Monday evenings, so this time I took my Nikon along with me.

Even from this far away you can see the bright lights in the distance.

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Photos by MJ Klein

Before I forget, my Nikon D-80 just came back from the shop on Thursday, and all seems very good.  I used it to take the shots for the Ghost Month piece over the weekend.

In our last installment, I left you with this photo:

We spent some time photographing this bridge before we took off to head back home.

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Photos by MJ Klein, including some food photos in this article.

Many of you might remember last year’s Ghost Month activites in our neighborhood.  I spent most of my time at Shao-hui’s place.

One of the offerings I photographed on the way to Shao-hui’s.

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I’ve been wanting to write about this for some time. Every country has its dumb TV shows. Japanese TV shows are known for being outrageous and yet I find those shows to be entertaining at least. Same goes for Taiwan television. Some of those shows that have ordinary people jumping through hoops or making up raps can be fun and I admit that I watch them sometimes. But, when I stop and think about all the dumb TV shows coming out these days, and especially those shows emanating from the US, I can feel my IQ lowering.

Here is my list of dumb TV shows (plus my personal nickname for each show).

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Everyone knows I love Sang Som Royal Thai Rum.  I buy at least one bottle of it per week.  I’ve noticed something disturbing about Sang Som lately though, as I have bought several bottles that tasted bad.  There is something different about these bad bottles; some additive or property that imparts a bad taste.  I first noticed it a few weeks ago, and since that time, 2 more bottles I’ve recently purchased have the same additive flavor.  As far as I can tell, it only effects the large bottles as the smaller bottles taste fine.  In my home I have a bad bottle and a good bottle.  Guests who are not as familar with Sang Som as I am can smell and taste the difference.

Hui-chen thinks these bad bottles might even be fakes, but I hesitate to make such a claim.  But it looks like I’ll be buying the small bottles for awhile.

Photos by MJ Klein, including FOOD PHOTOS

After a very pleasant drive of a few hours, we arrived at our hotel.  We wanted to check out Dongpu because of the many hot springs resorts in the area.  All the hotels feature hot spring water.

We had to park underground in the basement parking garage.  To get there, we had to ride in a car elevator.  I’ve had the pleasure of taking several such elevators in Taiwan.

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As you probably remember, I sent my D-80 to the repair shop to fix the hot pixels problem.  Back when I had a Nikon Coolpix 5700, it also had developed hot pixels.  I downloaded a free Russian software application that connected to my camera via USB and solved the problem in about 1 hour.  Today, after 4 weeks I finally got my D-80 back!  It never left the camera shop though.  The hot pixel problem is solved, but something happened to the Menu button in the process.  I have to press the Menu button down really hard to make it work.  That was not an original problem and something happened to it while at the repair shop.  So, my D-80 turned right around and went back today.

Needless to say I am something less than happy.  Something a lot less than happy!

Photos and Video by MJ Klein

This is my latest video.  Many of you may recall my article on the 921 Earthquake Memorial Park in Mingjian, Nantou.  Hui-chen and I went back and this time, I had my video camera with me.  I shot a walk-through of the park so you can get the feel of what it’s like to get up close and personal with the Tilting Electric Tower.  I hope you enjoy this video.  If you want to view in HD be sure to visit the hosting site.

A Stroll Through Mingjien 921 Memorial Park from MJ Klein on Vimeo.

Video by MJ Klein

Hui-chen and I decided to travel to Bade, Taoyuan and see our old friends Mr. Sun and Mr. Lee (aka Paul and Lee).  Now for some reason, it seems that whenever we go back to that neighborhood, something weird happens and it’s not the fault of our friends.  A fight will break out among some gamblers or a drunk person will start bothering us.  Well, something did happen and it was in the latter category this time.

We all went to a quiet little karaoke place to relax with some good food, drink and songs.  I had my video camera with me and I was videotaping Paul and Lee singing some songs when all of a sudden, some drunk woman came in, went over to Paul and smacked him while he was singing.  Then it got worse from there!  So, naturally I made it into a feature video, and now you may enjoy it for yourself!  Here it is:

Krazy Karaoke from MJ Klein on Vimeo.

Enjoy!