[photo-3d] "Magic Flute", AZ

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxxxxx>]

While I was in Mesa attending the NSA convention, 
Brenda Nowlan asked me if I had some extra film to 
give her because she had ran out.  I looked at the 
truckload of film I had with me (Fuji of course, 
only the BEST Bob!!! :)) 

That was enough for any sensible human being.  But, 
we are talking DrT here... There are several rules 
about film consumption I have learned through the 
years (the hard way):  

1) It is better to bring unused film back than ran 
out of film during the trip.  2) Always pack more film 
than you think it is possible to use and then throw a 
few more rolls at the top of it.  3) No matter how much 
film you take, you are still going to run out of film!!! 

So when Brenda asked for film, I knew I was making a 
mistake but I did not want to disappoint her so I gave 
her 4 rolls. Sure enough, by the time we were leaving 
Grand Canyon, I was low on film.  In our last stop for 
supper before Phoenix, around sunset, I had used all 
my film and only had a few shots left in my SLR.  I 
tried to buy more but (no surprise) there was no 
slide film to be found anywhere.

This became an exercise in discipline.  How to do the 
most from the little I had left.  While my family had 
supper I was looking around for photo opportunities.  
The gas station next to the restaurant had a big "statue" 
of a yellow "figure" holding a flute.  The light was 
just right and this yellow thing was glowing in front 
of the blue sky.  So I lifted my SLR and did the cha-cha 
thing.  (Cha-cha: take one picture, sidestep, take the 
other picture.  Do this quickly, as if dancing)

It turned out quite well with simple composition and 
colors.  No one could tell what this yellow figure 
with the flute was or how big it was because there 
were no other objects around and the hyper nature of 
the shot diminished the size.  It could be 10 inches.  
In reality it was about 50 feet high.  The judges 
liked the "Magic Flute" and gave it third place.

I am happy I ran out of film beacause I would have not
taken this picture otherwise.  So, Brenda, I owe you
one!!!

George Themelis