El Dave Photography

Tony Stark
Makes you feel
He's a cool exec
With a heart of steel.
As Iron Man,
All jets ablaze,
He fights and smite'n
With repulsor rays!
A blaze of power!
Iron Man!
Amazing armor!
Iron Man!

Ok, so here's the thing. Iron Man is my absolute favorite comic book character. Other titles I drift in and out of, or I'm happy waiting for the trade paperback. It was the first comic title I ever read.



When I heard they were making a movie, naturally I was very excited. The teaser images and trailers not only served their purpose, they went above and beyond in creating excitement for the film. So much so that I feared it couldn't live up to my expectations...

Then I saw the film. 7 times.



And then there was the sequel. A sequel is always placed under a more intense microscope, and end up being considered worse than the original. For my money, however, Iron Man 2 is just as good, if not better, than the original! There's a super villain. There is a super hero fight. Super science. Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts have a larger role. We get to see more of Tony Stark and Jim Rhodes. Justin Hammer and Ivan Vanko were fantastic villains. Cool fights. Cool armors. Action! Comedy! Thrills! Seriously, just go see it. Again and again.



"No. No! You have the big gun. I am the big gun!"



Be good,
-Dave

I'd like to tell you how I'm feeling now
But it ruins everything

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Big Daddies (also known as Protectors) are genetically-enhanced human beings who have had their skin and organs grafted into an enormous diving suit, with Alpha Series being an apparent exception to the grafting process. Their primary purpose is to protect Little Sisters while they escort them around Rapture.

Big Daddies, besides the Alpha Series, communicate by haunting sounds similar to that of a whale's call. For easier interpretation, lights were added to the helmet to display what state of intention the Big Daddy is in. Big Daddy helmets have three light colors: green indicates the Big Daddy is hypnotized and friendly, yellow indicates awareness of but indifference to his environment, and red indicates a rage towards assailants. If the first few attempts to drive away potential threats prove futile, Big Daddies will become enraged, unlike Alpha Series who always begin enraged.
(Courtesy: BioShock Wiki)



My buddy Brian dropped by the studio on Saturday, with Big Daddy in tow. While I haven't played either of the BioShock games, I've watched them being played a LOT and have been itching to get some shots of Big Daddy.



Unfortunately, seeing as how I live on the outskirts of Chicago (and not in an undersea dystopia), I'm not really able to get amazing photos like THESE. What I do have, however, is a nearby stream that's just secluded enough for me to dunk Big Daddy in and go wild taking shots.



What I think draws me to the character is that he's heavy. That metal diving suit, the massive air tanks, and the way his head sits so low on his chest; to say nothing of the MASSIVE drill hand. This guy is huge and I have a soft spot for the big guys.



Big Daddy is a ~7" action figure produced by NECA Toys.

Be good,
-Dave

I won't
I can't
I'm lost
I'm a freak

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Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Things have been hectic and I've fallen a bit behind!
I know, I know, excuses.

I will make up for it with next week's update.

Promise.

Be good,
-Dave

Thinking up a storm, when it storms it's going to rain

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Yesterday, I wanted to take a little walk through the neighborhood and see how things looked now that it's Spring. Grabbing up my camera gear, I brought along my XTi, the Starflex, and Reflector. I made my way down to the park, hoping to get some interesting TTV shots, when I passed by a little stream. I thought to myself, Isn't it amazing that a week ago, all of that was covered in snow? Reflector looked at the shallow water. "Hold on, I've got a great idea. Check this out." Reflector waded out into the stream. "Maybe you shouldn't go in there. I don't think you're water resistant", I said.

"Man, I am water proof."

Click.



Be good,
-Dave

They think they are smart
Don't doubt what they say

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NEO-VIPERS are cold-blooded commandos whose minds and instincts have been altered to change them into warriors incapable of fear or pain. Their enhanced physical abilities make them inhumanly strong, fast and deadly, and their advanced composite body armor. Watch out, G.I. JOE team! There’s an enemy NEO-VIPER commando on the attack!

Neo-Viper is a 3.75" G.I. Joe from Hasbro.

I didn't see the movie, but finding this guy in the 4 for $10 bins at Quake Collectibles was too good to pass up. Otherwise, I know nothing about him, but G.I. Joe should watch out! There's a Neo-Viper on the attack!

Be good,
-Dave

You'll always be alone
Your body stripped down to the bone

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Variable Threat Response Battle Suit Mark II, Model JRXL-1000

Man, I was doing so good with not buying the 3.75" Marvel figures. I saw all the cool characters, all in the same scale, with a lineup that included both the main Heroes and Villains and also threw in plenty of henchmen for good measure.
"Self", I said, "you don't want those. They're too tiny and too expensive. Stay strong."
And I listened for a good long time. In fact, I listened so well for so long that now I'm seeing some of the line on clearance at Target.

But then all the Iron Man 2 figures popped up.
My goal in collecting Iron Man was always to get the different armors. I'm not too fussed about having EVERY Iron Man figure (although, if you saw my shelf you'd think otherwise), but these new movie toys seem to have been made especially for me.

Sometimes, when I'm alone, I think they were.

Be good,
-Dave

Close your eyes, I will help you pray

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Severius' voice has always resonated with sacred power, and he demonstrates a strength and surety that belies his age. Those who attend him can see and hear the power of unchecked divinity conveyed through his words and deeds. He has vowed to make it his life's work to unite the Menites of western Immoren, to spread the True Faith to all of humanity, and to usher in a new age by hammering the cathedrals of Morrow to rubble and erecting new temples to the Lawgiver.

A while back, over on the Twitters, I mentioned that I wanted to work more in Black and White, but wasn't sure how best to improve my meager technique. My friends sent in their tips and I spent an hour adjusting the settings on my camera to reduce the sharpness and contrast to give me a softer, less crisp image. Now, instead of just a black and white snapshot, I get something like what you see above.

Heirarch Severius is a ~28mm wargaming miniature produced by Privateer Press for their Warmachine tabletop game.

Yes, he is standing on top of the acolytes.

Be good,
-Dave

Since I know how low to go
I wont let it show

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