Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Tower

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Tower in Narragansett Bay

We took this shot in late October of 2009 after taking the short ride out to the island where the lighthouse sits in Rob's lobster boat. Rob is one of the friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse because he grew up there. He lived there for 2 years with his parents and sister. He could point out the spot where his mother grew tomatoes. When we climbed into the tower he told he was often sent up there to eat his lunch alone when he was naughty. He loved it up there. It wasn't much of a punishment and he was canny enough not to let his mother know.

While we're on the subject of friends ..... we took this series of panoramas with the help of our little friend Merlin Orion. Merlin is an automated "panohead" which aims our camera with great accuracy and ease. We love our little Merlin. He only cost the ridiculously low sum of something under $300. He was developed for use by amateur astronomers but panoramacists are catching on to his talents. He's built more like a Dodge than a Mercedes. Eventually one of his plastic gears will break a tooth but he's an amazing bit of equipment for the money and we can highly recommend him. We often put Merlin at the top of a tall pole. He never complains and goes about his job with his usual equanimity and dispatch, spinning and snapping photos like his life depends on it.

We usually speak to Merlin using a laptop computer equipped with a wireless device made by an outfit named "Silex." Silex wasn't working this trip however. The power regulator was broken and apparently the entire consumer electronics industry was incapable of supplying us with a working version of this simple but crucial device. (bad, bad industry). Merlin came through for us though. We programmed him with 6 positions and sent him into "cruise and shoot" mode with the flick of a few buttons on his handheld keypad. He went about his business in his usual quiet and efficient manner without laptops, or software or wireless communication devices, rotating and snapping and rotating and snapping ... and thank goodness he did because we came away with some great shots that we wouldn't have otherwise. Way to go Merlin!

Fair Journey,

Brian Shriver

Aerial Vr - "Your location in high definition virtual reality." email us with your comments and ideas at btshriver@aerialvr.com & cblake@aerialvr.com For more about our services see our website at www.aerialvr.com