Day 23 - National Handwriting Day

Today is National Handwriting Day so slow down and use the ultimate work processor, an elegant fountain pen.

Analog Bureaucracy

- I guess you can call this my "signature" photo. I sign my name dozens of times everyday day at work - contracts, agreements, HR paperwork and even small dollar amount mileage reimbursements. It's kind of sad that the Director of Technology is stuck in an analog bureaucracy. My only joy is that if I have to do it, I'll do it in style with a fine fountain pen. Canon 7D, 1/500 sec @ f/13.0, ISO 1600, 100mm macro with two LED litepanels.

Get the Point

- I've long been a user and collector of fountain pens. This Taccia Ta-Ke" is my everyday pen, one of the best writing and most dependable pens I have ever owned. It is not expensive and doesn't have a famous name or a snow peak on the cap but is a great pen. I think you can tell from this macro photo of the nib that it is well used and not very well taken care of. In fact, I have never cleaned this pen in the almost five years I've had it. Japanese pen with a German nib, a great combination. Canon 40D, 1/50 sec @ f/5.0 ISO 800, 100mm macro.

343 - Capillary Action

From 365 Project

In 953, Ma'ād al-Mu'izz, the caliph of Egypt, commissioned the construction of the pen instructing: 'We wish to construct a pen which can be used for writing without having recourse to an ink-holder and whose ink will be contained inside it. . .’ It would take 900 years for his wish to come true when the first practical fountain pens emerged in the 1850's. The key is a combination of gravity and the magic of capillary action. Once the ink starts to flow through the nib, capillary action keeps the flow going by drawing in more ink from the reservoir. This is a closeup photo of an 18k gold nib on an Omas 360 fountain pen. Canon Rebel XTi, 8/10 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 400, 65mm macro lens.

192 - Pinstripe Suit

From 365 Project

Got a new pinstripe suit today. The pinstripe suit is always appropriate executive attire. This suit is for my trusty sharpie marker. Sherpa is making stylish skins for the ever popular sharpie permanent markers. Now your sharpie can head to the boardroom or just be super cool. Today I visited one of my favorite local stores and Internet pen retailer A Pen Lovers Paradise. Check them out and get a cool skin for your sharpie. Canon 40D, 6 secs @ f/8.0, 85mm with Canon macro life-size adapter and a tripod.