Tag: camera

Do the wonders ever cease?

I’ve been sitting here all evening surfing the ‘net looking at kite things. While I don’t believe I’ve mentioned it yet on this blog, my camera jammed on my last KAP outing and is now in the shop for repairs (that means I can’t go KAPing this weekend, although I’m certainly going to go fly kites). Due to the sad state of my camera situation, I’ve been looking at other web sites, blogs, forums, etc. on kites. I’m still amazed at how much information there is about the history and uses of these low-tech wonders.

 One of the topics I found to be especially intriguing were kites that produce sounds – the first type I came across were the Chinese whistling kites of Nantong (be sure to view the video located on this page). These kites have whistles made from gourds attached to them and can be extremely elaborate. Since then, I’ve come across many other references for whistling or musical kites and, as to be expected, I’m fascinated with the possibilities. One site, in particular, caught my attention and that is “Kite Musical Instruments & Aeolian Musical Instruments” which has been created by a gentleman from Germany. Fortunately, he provides an English version along with the German. While his English is a bit awkward, it’s far better than my German (I had one semester of it in high school a million years ago) and it’s very useful in learning a lot about the subject. I’m particularly fascinated with his use of the kite string itself to produce sounds that may be recorded (is that cool or what?!) and provides some very simple instructions for recording them. His site also contains many examples of the sounds produced by kites – most of which have a rather eerie, haunting sound to them. Just the same, I’ve got the try capturing these sounds myself – just think of the possibilities?! I’ve already got a few ideas floating around my head and, if they work out, they might turn out to be something really unique!

Taking Off


Taking Off
Originally uploaded by Bassoon Man.

Okay, okay, I admit, this is getting a bit wild – I’ve now gone KAPing three (3) days in a row! This time, I took a trip down to the jetty at the end of the Balboa Peninsula (which is also the mouth of Newport Bay). The winds were quite mild but steady so I put up my kite thinking that the winds would only pick up as the afternoon wore on (which would be “normal”). Sadly, it was the inverse that happened (the breeze slowly weakened) so I really didn’t get much of a chance to fly. Even so, I managed to get this photo of my kite taking off. Again, while it was a beautiful day, I had to call it quits early due to the breeze – I didn’t want to lose my camera again.

Boats in the harbor at Dana Point, California


Boats in the harbor at Dana Point, California
Originally uploaded by Bassoon Man.

One of the great things about KAPing is that I’m not really sure what I’ll get until I get home and look at the photos. Currently, my camera takes a photo approximately once every fifteen seconds and a tiny, battery operated motor (called a servo) also rotates the camera about 30 degrees at the same time. As a result, the camera eventually makes a complete circle and starts all over again. While many KAPers use remote controls designed to pilot radio controlled model airplanes, my rig does sport that feature. That’s not a problem though as it’s fun to see what comes up. About the only thing I can control is the angle of the camera and even that is somewhat variable as the angle can change due to the winds. I like this photo of the colors (the blue water contrasted with the trees that line the roads and think that the angels of the docks are also interesting. All in all, I’m pleased with the way this photo turned out.

The Titanic


The_Titanic
Originally uploaded by Bassoon Man.

Well, here it is – my KAP rig – which I have now appropriately named, “the Titanic!” Unlike the ill-fated cruise ship, my Titanic will sail again as everything still works. Of course, I’m going to have to straighten things out a bit but the electronics are undamaged. Yippee! I’m going to make a few alterations (or shall we say “upgrades”) to try and protect the camera better for the return of the Titanic.

While I’ve already discussed what happened (my son’s kite line crossed mine as I was reeling it in) – my Premier Power Sled 14 was lost in the wind and my rig “fell down and went boom.” Interestingly, while I was unwinding the Picavet cross, the apparatus at the top what is rigged (with string) to the kite, I discovered that the line was cut! In other words, it would appear as if both my kite line and the Picavet line were cut. This means that two (2) lines were cut at the same time! How that could have happened is beyond me – perhaps my boy had a good aim? Interestingly, the Picavet line also showed some signs of being somewhat frayed in a couple of places. Perhaps the winds (which had become quite strong) were a bit too much for the Picavet which then snapped subsequently also cut the kite line? If that’s the case, then my boy is off the hook! I’ll probably never know for sure. Hopefully, my next launch will be far more successful.