In the realm of mysticism and folklore, tales of extraordinary abilities and supernatural powers have captivated the human imagination for centuries. One such account that has intrigued and baffled scholars and enthusiasts alike is the story of a 12ft hovering witchcraft practitioner. This remarkable tale brings forth the notion of an individual who possesses not only the ability to harness the mysterious powers of witchcraft but also the uncanny power to hover above the ground, defying the laws of gravity. The legend suggests that this extraordinary being, whose identity remains unknown, is capable of traversing vast distances without ever touching the earth's surface. Speculation surrounding this mythical figure has given rise to various theories which have been both met with skepticism and fascination. Some argue that this individual could be the result of a genetic mutation or an undiscovered natural phenomenon.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
By loosening the locking knob at the elbow, or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the arm to its maximum length. With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place.
Some argue that this individual could be the result of a genetic mutation or an undiscovered natural phenomenon. Others propose that this Hovering Witchcraft Practitioner could be the embodiment of a higher being or an entity from another dimension. Though concrete evidence remains elusive, eyewitness testimonies continue to emerge, recounting encounters with this enigmatic figure.
Wildlife Photography
One of the most versatile pieces of equipment I own is the Bogen Articulated Arm. I use it for holding flashes, sometimes for supporting a camera, and often for holding a prop or securing a hummingbird feeder at one of our Arizona or Costa Rica hummingbird sets. I've used these arms for years, yet I'm surprised, each year, when I showcase the equipment needed for our hummingbird setups how few people know about them.
I was first introduced to these Bogen arms at the start of my photo career over 25 years ago. I had purchased a beefier model that's still available, the Bogen Magic Arm (model 2930) from a local camera store, drove home, opened the box, and found that I was missing the vital piece of equipment necessary to use it -- the Bogen Super Clamp that attaches to the other end! I drove back, bought the second piece, and was in business.
Since then the Bogen Magic Arm has been improved with a similar model, the Bogen Variable Friction Arm (model 2929) that uses a knurled knob that, by rotating, gradually tightens the joints and locks the Arm into place. With the original model, the Magic Arm, a single lever accomplishes this, but the transition from loose to locked is rather abrupt, and without care the angle and position of the Arm may move while locking. This doesn't happen with the Variable Friction Arm, so for my money it's worth the slightly higher expense.
All three models are called 'Arms' because they function quite similarly to our human arm in terms of movement. On one end is a detachable Camera platform with a 1/4 - 20 screw thread. On the other end is a bare stud, onto which one normally mounts the Super Clamp. The end with the camera platform functions like a wrist -- think of the platform as the hand; the other end is the shoulder joint - the super clamp being the shoulder, and the juncture in the middle is the elbow of both arms. Just as your hand and arm can twist and bend in an almost infinite number of directions, so too can all three of these Bogen Arms, which makes placement of flashes or accessories very, very flexible.
One feature of the Articulated Arm I really like is illustrated by the image on the left. By loosening the locking knob at the elbow,
or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the
arm to its maximum length. By default the arm tubes are positioned at their full length. I find this feature extremely useful
when I am fine-tuning a manual flash lighting ratio, where movements of just an inch or two may make a difference in
as much as one f-stop when I'm working close in with hummingbirds -- you all remember the inverse square law, don't you?
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
The Articulated Arm is the least expensive of the three Arms and, as I said, perhaps the one to start with if you're thinking of doing a flash setup for macro or hummingbird photography. Most of our Arizona Hummingbird flash setups use the Articulated Arm, and I also use these for supporting the tube feeder used as bait. Accordingly, each hummer set uses at least 5 Articulated Arms.
If you find that you need the stronger, and heavier, Magic Arm I can assure you that your Articulated Arm won't be neglected. You'll still use it for holding props, or a flash, or a feeder, while the stronger Magic Arms (I'd recommend the Variable Friction model) support your heavy flashes. By the way, I'm talking about heavy flashes here -- studio model types. The Articulated Arm will easily support any hotshoe-style flash -- Canon, Nikon, Vivitar -- that you'd normally use for hummingbird work.
Do I love these things? You bet! For years, and virtually since I started in photography, I've owned about six, and those carried me through the beginning of my wildlife photography career. Those Arms still work -- they are beat up, sticky with tape from attaching props like sticks or branches, but they work. Now, as we conduct our hummingbird shoots where we have at least six or seven sets going, and often more for remote projects or off-location, portable shoots we do for kangaroo rats, owls, or whatever, well I now carry over 30 Arms of various types, and about 40 Super Clamps to mount them to.
Why more Super Clamps? Sometimes I replace the detachable camera platform (where I mount the flashes) with another Super Clamp so that I have one on either end. One attaches to whatever support I'm using -- a chair, light pole, tripod leg, etc., and the other clamps onto a prop I wish to support -- perhaps a branch or a background panel. If you own several Arms, chances are you'll want to get an extra Super Clamp or two.
Good camera stores should have all of these Bogen products in stock, as will the various catalog stores. I order mine from my favorite store, Allen's Camera (215 - 547-2841), whose prices match and usually beat NY catalog super stores, and the service is always first class.
Our Past Photo Tips of the Month:
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
Tales of levitation, eerie incantations, and mysterious disappearances are but a few of the mystifying occurrences attributed to the 12ft hovering witchcraft practitioner. These accounts have only served to deepen the sense of awe and wonder surrounding this phenomenon, leaving many to question the limits of reality and what lies beyond our collective understanding. While the existence of a 12ft hovering witchcraft practitioner remains largely a matter of conjecture, the tale continues to fascinate and engulf the minds of those who seek to unravel the mysteries of the supernatural world. The legend serves as a reminder of the boundless depths of human imagination and the timeless allure of the unknown..
Reviews for "Investigating the 12ft Hovering Witchcraft Practitioner Phenomenon"
1. John - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "12ft hovering witchcraft practitioner". The storyline was confusing and the characters were poorly developed. The movie seemed to lack direction and failed to hold my interest throughout. The special effects were also underwhelming and did not add anything to the overall experience. I was expecting a thrilling and captivating film, but unfortunately, this was far from it.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "12ft hovering witchcraft practitioner" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The plot was promising, but the pacing was slow, and the film lacked depth. The acting was mediocre, and the dialogue felt forced and unconvincing. I expected more suspense and excitement, but instead, I found myself bored and struggling to stay engaged. Overall, it was a forgettable movie that I wouldn't recommend to others.
3. Michael - 1.5 stars - I had high hopes for "12ft hovering witchcraft practitioner", but it turned out to be a disappointment. The movie lacked coherence and failed to establish a clear direction. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with them emotionally. Moreover, the special effects were lackluster and felt outdated. I was left unsatisfied and felt like I wasted my time watching this film. I would advise others to steer clear of it unless they have a high tolerance for poorly executed movies.