About a month ago, I returned from my photography trip to Wisconsin. I knew it would take me a while to edit all of the images from that trip, so I figured that it would be a good time to send my tripod in for repair. I own a Gitzo tripod (3540XLS Systematic 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod), and I was aware that it can take a long time for such repairs. A few years ago, I wrote a blog entry about why using a tripod is so important to most of my photography.

My tripod is probably just over ten years old. Over the years, it's become increasingly difficult to tighten the extended legs. As I'm shooting, a leg will sometimes slowly collapse--which can be very frustrating. When tightened enough, the legs will hold--but it should only take an easy quarter turn to tighten the legs on this particular tripod.

I sent my tripod into the Chandler, Arizona repair facility via UPS Ground delivery. It took a week for the package to get there from Chicago. Once it arrived, I was promptly provided with a work order for tracking the progress of the repair through the website.

A week passed without any further updates on the progress of the repair. Apparently, the facility was shut down as an inventory was being conducted. Finally, I learned that the cone collets within each of the leg extensions needed to be replaced. Additionally, the leg locks were to be cleaned and lubricated, and a clamp replaced. For $200, plus shipping & handling, the tripod would be returned to like new condition.

Although the repairs weren't cheap, I determined that approving the repair (which extends the life of my tripod for another 10 to 15 years) was better than purchasing a new tripod. This tripod was $700 a decade ago...and is closer to $1,000 today. Given how often I use my tripod, it's not too surprising that it would require some maintenance. I estimate that my tripod's legs have been extended and collapsed at least 10,000 times over the past decade!

Now that I approved the repair, the next challenge was waiting to see if the replacement parts were in the Chandler facility. I was told that if the parts for my tripod were on hand--it would be about three days for the repair. Otherwise, parts would need to be ordered from Italy--and it would be about a month before the tripod repair was completed!

After not hearing anything for a few more days, I called the repair facility again. I was told that it looked like the parts would need to be ordered from Italy. But, just hours later I received a UPS tracking notice that my tripod was already on its way back to me and that it was fully repaired.

I was anxious to get my tripod back...so I was disappointed that it was sent via UPS Ground--especially considering that I was charged $35 for shipping! That meant another week of waiting. So, delivery was set for December 14th.

December 14th came and went...and my UPS tracking information showed that the delivery was still ON TIME. On December 15th I called UPS...the package hadn't been scanned since December 11th. Back then, the last time it was accounted for, it was just ten miles from my home address! So, it was now missing in action.

Last night (December 16th), the tripod was finally delivered at about 7:00 PM.

So, my tripod's repair journey took more than a month (and that could have been far longer if the parts weren't in Chandler) and just over $200...but I have it now and can finally get back out shooting!

When I first started this blog, I wasn't sure if I would be posting entries on a regular basis. It seemed like topics would run dry before too long.

Out of curiosity, I just ran a count of my blog entries. Through today, I've posted 622 entries...that's a lot of articles!

So, what's my most popular blog entry? It was an entry that I made back in August of 2012 about my experiences with Prius Camping. That article has been read by 25,000 independent (repeat visitors don't get tallied) readers.

Thanks to all of the visitors for taking the time to read my ramblings!

This morning, my "Brain Center" picture won Imaging Resource's "Photo of the Day". CLICK HERE to view Imaging Resource's Photo of the Day page.

This is the third picture from my "Great Western USA Loop" road trip to be recognized with a Photo of the Day. This photograph was captured a few months ago at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Nevada. CLICK HERE to view my blog entry about this photo shoot.

This marks the 47th time that one of my photographs was recognized by Imaging Resource as its "Photo of the Day". Click here to view all of the winning entries over the past few years.

Brain CenterImaging Resource's Photo of the Day for December 13, 2017

Last month, I visited the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee to capture photograph of the interior of the church. When I take pictures of interior spaces with windows (particularly stained glass windows), I hope for overcast conditions. So, I was very pleased that I was driving through a light rain on my way to this church!

The rain isn't ideal for the exterior shots...

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox CathedralSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at 3201 S 51st Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 But, it pays off inside the cathedral. Note the detail and colors contained within the stained glass windows. This is not possible when bright sunlight is streaming through the windows--even with extreme bracketing of the exposures.

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox CathedralSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at 3201 S 51st Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox CathedralSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at 3201 S 51st Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 St. Sava Serbian Orthodox CathedralSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at 3201 S 51st Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 St. Sava Serbian Orthodox CathedralSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at 3201 S 51st Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017

I tend to check the weather forecast and look at the sky even when shooting inside.

Over the past several years, I've been taking road trips all over the country. Last month, I decided to take a much shorter photography trip. I drove from Chicago to Madison. After spending two nights in Madison, I drove to Milwaukee and spent one night there.

Although these cities are relatively close to my home, I have spent very little time in them. During my short stay, I was busy photographing several architectural sites. I came away from this trip with a much greater appreciation for Wisconsin architecture. Prior to this trip, I had no idea that Milwaukee City Hall was the tallest building in the United States at one time...or that the dome of the Basilica of St. Josephat was the second largest in the nation (behind the federal Capitol building in Washington, DC) at the time of its completion!

In the end, I photographed 7 locations. I'll post one photo from each location. To view the rest, simply click on the location title.

1- Wisconsin State Capitol

MadisonDowntown Madison from Olin Park in Madison, Wisconsin on November 14, 2017 2- Overture Center for the Arts

Overture HallOverture Hall at the Overture Center for the Arts on 201 State Street in Madison, Wisconsin on November 14, 2017 3- St. Sava Cathedral

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox CathedralSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at 3201 S 51st Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 4- Milwaukee Public Library

Milwaukee Public LibraryMilwaukee Public Library (Main Branch) at 814 W Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 5- Milwaukee City Hall

Milwaukee City HallMilwaukee City Hall at 200 E Wells Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 6- Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee Art MuseumMilwaukee Art Museum at 700 N Art Museum Drive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 15, 2017 7- Basilica of St. Josephat

Basilica of St. JosaphatBasilica of St. Josaphat at 2333 S 6th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 16, 2017 At the end of a few days of shooting, I came away with 176 completed images! Click here to view my favorites from the trip. All of the pictures were captured with my new Nikon D850 camera.

It's amazing how wide the perspective is from my Sigma 15mm fisheye lens.

Take a look at the display cases with the flags in this photograph of the rotunda inside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing:

Michigan State CapitolRotunda of the Michigan State Capitol at 100 N Capitol Avenue in Lansing, Michigan on November 6, 2017 The flags are positioned just off the floor around the rotunda.

While preparing to capture of picture of the inner dome, I laid down in the center of the floor. Here's that image:

Michigan State CapitolInner dome from the rotunda floor of the Michigan State Capitol at 100 N Capitol Avenue in Lansing, Michigan on November 6, 2017.
The Michigan battle flags collection is housed in the state capitol. The original battle flags from the Civil War, Spanish American War and WWI were on display in the glass cases surrounding the rotunda. Now, these flags are replicas as the original flags are now kept in a special archival area for preservation. Note that the flag cases are visible in the edges of the frame. The perspective is super wide.

Last week, I was taking pictures inside Overture Hall in Madison, Wisconsin. My host was sitting a few seats to my right while I was capturing photographs of the theater from the balcony. She was surprised when I asked if she would mind moving back a bit as she was still in the frame!

My "Palouse" photograph won Second Place in Imaging Resource's photo contest for the month of October, 2017.

During my trip to Detroit this past weekend, I visited a mosque for the first time. I started big...the Islamic Center of America is the largest mosque in North America. The first photograph that I captured was of the interior with my Sigma 15mm fisheye lens. I used my new Nikon D850 camera.

Islamic Center of AmericaIslamic Center of America at 19500 Ford Road in Dearborn, Michigan on November 3, 2017 The Sigma fisheye is a great lens, but it's not one of the sharpest lenses to use along with the D850. For one thing, the fisheye introduces quite a bit of distortion (intentionally).

When I zoomed in at 100% to view the sharpness of the image, I was shocked that I could actually see the second hand on the clock that's positioned over the center post! The time is 11:22 and 38 seconds!

Islamic Center of AmericaIslamic Center of America at 19500 Ford Road in Dearborn, Michigan on November 3, 2017 I have a feeling that I'm going to like this camera.