Blog

So I had a good variation of challenges thrown at me last week, most down to the weather, some down to the variable amounts of light available. This made me ponder what high summer will be like when the best light will be around 5 in the morning or 10 at night.

Using my RB67 at the FIlmwasters event made me become aware that running around with the pocket camera is okay but when I use my bad boy DSLR I tend to take a few more moments to consider my composition. So I am thinking of dragging out the bad boy at least once a week for an airing.

Contrary to that idea is making sure I use the pocket camera as it allows me to shoot faster and most times a little freer. This week has a bit more photoshop than I would normally like but I am just knocking the rust off of my old skills.

Enjoy

Cheers

Ken

February 12th:

Today was a “Further a field” challenge. I was determined to walk further down Oxford street to the west and see what was shakin’. 

I ended up walking around a square and headed north up Portland street which becomes Baker St, I walked past two pieces of branding which left me questioning which brand left me with the least amount of confidence.

A composite picture I know, but a bit hard even for me to get them both on the one shot.

The walk did take me around some areas not explored yet, so looking forward to some more exploration of these areas.


February 13th:

Well today was a big day. I am 6.5 weeks into this project and I have photographed my first motorcycle! I am surprised I have been able to hold off so long. I knew if I held off long enough I would eventually come across something unique and memorable that deserved this prized position.

Just to extrapolate, when it comes to motorcycling and me there are only two periods in my life, times I am riding my motorcycle around Europe and the vast emptiness in my soul in between those times.

This bike is a complete rat, very individual, even has a small block of wood to help the side stand.

February 14th:

Another Valentines day and another reject of modern mass marketing consumerism. I bet this is what brought on the Valentines day massacre in Chicago in the first place:

“Hi honey are you getting me anything for Valentines day tomorrow?”
” Oh God is that tomorrow?!” (quick conference call on other line)
“Lads just kill me now!”

Anyway it was a bit overcast and brisk this morning but the report was for a clear evening, I chanced on it and picked up this nice evening shot of the church. A classic frame using the tree branches.

 February 15th:

Its amazing what you see when walking around this town. A guy lowering sacks of spuds down into a cellar. Haven’t seen that sort of thing for years.

February 16th:

The annual motorcycle show here in London, my neighbour and some of the VStrom lads went along to check it out. I spent waaaaaay too long in the adventure travel section. A good mate is Paul, the day I met him he took the “P”, have liked him ever since. We have a abnormal lust for this motorcycle – Yamaha XT660 Tenere

We took it in turns to pretend we were looking off into the distance of a Peruvian sunset.

February 17th:

A beautiful day today, my wife and I went for a walk from London Bridge to Westminster to do some photography, I was mainly shooting my Mamiya RB-67 but had the pocket digital to get some grabs. This lad playing the cello was absolutely excellent. I got some nice portraits of him but this one showing the indifference of the passing crowds to this artist does underline the  “I am very busy” head space many Londoners have.

Some did stop and listen and were treated to some beautiful classical music.

February 18th:

I have been trying to get a shot of this building for a few weeks now but it has never really had any light on it of any real use. Today was the day! I just love how it is a classic old building with two really ugly half modern things attached all around it.

A true survivor of harsh modern Oxford St. London.

Neatest most correct entry:

I looked down a side street and saw this souvenir shop with stuff of “The Royals” I almost bought a Kate and Will’s mug for work once. Anyway, I would be really impressed if there was a country in the world that could out do England for iconic souvenir junk. This shop had all the usual stuff, red phone boxes, London Cabs, old Tourmaster double decker buses etc.

I like this shot, it is a great juxtaposition between the new and the old, the contemporary and the traditional, the old guard and the new money. The amusing thing was everyone was just walking by, I stopped to get my Mamiya RB-67 out to get the shot and VIOLA! everyone suddenly stops and starts to instagram away with sillyphones. Not an instragram shot, a nice aerial view of the area

I personally think the shot needs something else to seal the deal. It was beaten into the main blog by the cello player in the tunnel.

The Pocket camera experience:

Great for quick grabs like this, get down low for that cool angle an, even in tight crowded spots.

However when trying to take candid shots like this it is all over the place. Can’t quite get the zoom just right, auto-focusses on everything but the subject, especially when people walk by and the shutter lag from when you press the button to when it fires can be just too slow.

So a poor example of candid photography.

Post Production in your image software of choice:

Some stuff is a lot of fun, I did this for Paul’s facebook profile photo, he felt the rugged looks would help him sell aftershave thus getting a sponsor when he rides around the world.

I think a bit of saturation and a vignette add a nice finish to this image of Big Ben

Whereas there is nothing good that can come of this, I like the building so I took the shot as a memory. If you want it as fine art – go shoot it again in proper light and with more consideration 🙂

Final image for the week:

Somethings are just too Postmodern even for me to work out: