Thursday, May 22, 2008

Pushing Against the Wall

GRD II, f2.4, 1/800, ISO 100, RAW


Doesn't it feel sometimes like you are running or pushing against a wall? This happens when at times either nothing works or people don't seem to understand you. While my day was actually prety good and I did not have this feeling (today), seeing this scene on my way to lunch made me think of it. Well, think of it and take picture of the scene ;).
I know it does not fit with my theme but I quite like that picture and decided to use it today. Since I started the blog I always have the camera out, in my hand and ready to shoot when walking outside. You never know when you have a great photo opportunity and without a camera that is ready you will miss the shot.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Mixer

GRD II, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 100, RAW


Another picture in the series, this caught my attention when walking past today. It fits well in my series.

Not much more to say other than T-Mobile UK seems to be full of incompetent people. While they offer the cheapest data and phone contract I am starting to ask myself if this is all worth the hassle. So beware when taking a contract with them since the staff does not seem to know at all what they offer and what their plans cost or include. The support is probably one of the worst I've seen, you wait ages to speak with someone and then 2 people will tell you 3 different things and keep you on hold forever. Getting a manager to call you back takes always exactly 2h for some reason. Well, I think I need to send them a invoice for my wasted time with them on the phone.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Building a Building

GRD II, f5, 1/320, ISO 100, RAW


It is good if one has a project when out and taking pictures, this makes it easier to focus on specific things. It also avoids walking around snapping aimlessly and gives more purpose to taking pictures for the blog. Will try to do this more often since it's fun.
This weeks (or at least till Friday) project for me is "Concrete" and "Building sites" so this is another shot in this series.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Scaffolding

GRD II, f2.4, 1/30, ISO 336, RAW


A simple yet confusing image for today. Sometimes I like a very simple image that has not much going on in there but the simplicity just works. But at other times, like today, I prefer a more confusing image where it's not clear on what to focus or if there is anything to focus on at all.
Another thing I want to try this week is to have a theme and concrete and building sites sounds interesting enough and considering that London is full of both it should be easy enough to do ;).

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Concrete

GRD, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 400, JPG b&w


After the GR1 day yesterday I continued writing my comparison and was about to post the first part but decided to hold it back for now. I am unsure about the format and how to post it since it will need to have a few parts. Will have to find a way since I am quite late already but as it is now, it's just too long for a blog or for the fact that it is only a comparison. Anyway, I will either find a way to shorten or split it or will just publish it as it stands in the next days.
For today just a GRD I picture that shows a not so nice part in London. A concrete block of flats. It looks depressing when the sun is shining but if it's dull and grey like today it's even worse.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Red Door

GR1, ISO 200, JPG from negative


"I see a red door and I want it painted black" - The Rolling Stones, Paint it Black (1966)

Today was a GR1 day, shot almost exclusively with the GR1. It was great although I missed the display to be able to compose a shot easier from different angles. Don't quite understand the complaint of many that a display is not good for composing images. For me it is vastly superior to using any OVF since it is easier to see from various angles, when holding the camera at waist level etc. Maybe it is because I started photography with a digital camera but the ability to see exactly what you'll get and be free from the constraint to put the camera to your face everytime you want to take a picture is a huge benefit. The argument that the camera is more stable does not hold for me since I got as many blurry shots as I would have with holding a digital camera and composing with the LCD.
This is a picture from the 36 I took and had developed in 1h. The prints look great but the jpgs on the CD are almost useless, very bad quality and only at 2MP. Since I do not have a negative scanner I have to take what the photo lab gives me. Should I start shooting more film I'll probably invest in a small but usable scanner.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Yellow

GRD II, f2.8, 1/125, ISO 100, RAW


Took a few pictures today but this is the only one that I really liked. It is simple but sometimes simple is better. And on this note I will keep my blog entry short and...you guessed it, "simple" for today ;).