Originally published at VolkStudio Blog. You can comment here or there.

Domesticated animals have been around for tends of millions of years. Many ant species look after aphids in exchange for sugary secretions from their six-legged flocks. Human domestication of selected species certainly assured their survival to a far greater degree than ( Read more... )

Originally published at VolkStudio Blog. You can comment here or there.

I find myself drawn to musical ballads, in whichever language they may be. I like stories in music. Some do a good job of messing with the audience’s emotions: Баллада о матери.  Others are just engaging stories: The Ballad of East and West. I am just not a fan of meaningless ( Read more... )

Originally published at VolkStudio Blog. You can comment here or there.

The number of countries in Europe in 1875 - 18 (if my count is correct).
In 1914 - 23.
In 2012 - 44.
I wonder if the degree of state control over individuals has grown or declined. In the US, it seems to have grown in some ways (gun control) but declined in others (censorship of ( Read more... )

Originally published at VolkStudio Blog. You can comment here or there.

I finally ordered a Panasonic G2 with 20mm and 45mm lenses. Rather than it being a substitute for 5Dmk2, it’s going to take the LX3 out of the equation. I’d lose the extreme macro capability but gain low-light performance, magnified manual focus assist and an articulated screen.
( Read more... )

Originally published at VolkStudio Blog. You can comment here or there.

I wonder if the depredations of TSA reduce cross-regional cooperation in favor of more local, driving-distance business ties…and if that shift would eventually contribute to entire regions becoming de facto independent.

Originally published at VolkStudio Blog. You can comment here or there.

Sometimes, I am rich. Not always, but I was rich yesterday. I had more of what I wanted than I actually needed - my sole constraint being the 24/7 limit of available time shared by all. I had more storage capacity in the camera and props than I could photograph in a day, more ( Read more... )