European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

Friday Photography Blog #22

by LEP
Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 03:52:33 AM EST

Welcome to the 22nd edition of the Friday photo blog. It seems that we've been doing this for a long while but we're not yet even 6 months old. Today, our featured subject will be "My favorite genre" which includes inter alia,abstract, arty, landscape, night shots, portraits or erotica. Just to be clear, the erotica category was proposed by LEP, not In Wales.
My favorite genre is the "big sky," especially sunsets, and especially sunsets over water. I've been to Brittany the past two summers and when I'm there I cant stop clicking my camera. I like sunrises too but I'm rarely up early enough to catch one. I do have a few, however, taken from my studio in Paris which is on the seventh floor and faces south.
I probably like to photograph big spaces because I grew up in Brooklyn, New York and always wanted more space. Of course, now that I live in the country I can't wait to get to the city for my two days per week. Sometimes it's just hard to be satisfied, isn't it?
I'll start with a sunset I took in Brittany last July.

So, what's your favorite genre

Promoted by In Wales - a little saturday morning viewing pleasure

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Friday Photography Blog #22 | 183 comments (183 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

my favorite genre

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:19:28 AM EST

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 13)

Here's another photo from Brittany, that I like alot- it's not a sunset.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:24:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Lovely photos!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:40:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Nice one :-)
I wonder where it is, as I feel I know the place, but can't get a name on it !

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:53:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

It's between Guilvinec and Kerity in Brittany.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:02:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Ah... Not very far from Bénodet :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:24:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Looks to be about a 40 minute drive. Do you vacation in Benodet?

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:32:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Usually around Easter, but don't use a car nowadays, so I just walk around more then when I was younger ! :-)

I've been going there for more then thirty years...! Started before the bridge on the Odet was built and there was the old "bac" with chains.. The Minaret' still there though! <lamenting against the flow of time>

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:41:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 8)

Hooray! I've not made it into work yet since I've been debating ethnicity and waiting for the photoblog.

My favourites are abstract photos and those accidental ones that turn into something cool. Like this ginger cat who moved before the camera could refocus as I pressed the shutter. He had a very bright sky behind him and was sat on a shelf above me.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:28:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Sorry I made you late for work. I slept in this morning

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:32:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Not to worry, I worked late so I can get away with coming in late today.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:39:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

got a similar cat pic (4.00 / 4)

Where I'd accidentally turned the flash on, which resulted in a wierd effect.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 10:06:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That's bright! Did the cat ever forgive you for that?

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 10:35:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

yes but I have to play fetch in the morning with him

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-EhP3Ts3grI

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 10:39:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

First time I see a cat doing it !!!

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:16:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

at the moment three of them are charging madly round the house, it's there 11 in the evening hour, they'll all be asleep by midnight

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:25:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I french we call that "Le quart d'heure de folie" (or the 15mn madness moment) !
It applies to cat AND human beings - exclusively ! :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:34:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

it's just gone quiet, I am no longer a trampoline on the way to the back of the sofa, in five minutes when they have eaten, I will become a bed for whichever kittens decide it's my turn tonight.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:39:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 01:55:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 9)

I also like taking photos of my shadow.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:30:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 6)

I like finding obscure things to take photos of. This may have been a rabbit skeleton or similar.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:33:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

I want that bone to fill much more of that frame. And I want the horizon straight. Were you limited by lens?

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:59:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

I was crouching on the ground but couldn't lie down because it was soaked, hence the wonky horizon. The field was also on a slope too which didn't help judgement there. The horizon can be sorted in photoshop though.

I had my wide angle lens on this and was hoping to find a way to fill the frame more with the bones but it didn't work. I didn't want to go putting my kit down in the mud to change lens. What lens would have worked better?

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:26:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

What's the minimum focusing distance on that lens? What would have been useful here is a tripod that closer bring the camera up closer and lower, together with a wide angle that focuses up nice and close, stopped down to get the depth of field if you wanted it. I can see what you were trying to do which is why the shot annoys me.

It would have been an easy shot with the GR-D: 28mm lens that focuses 1cm away with huge depth of field and shiftable focus point - and there's generally a tabletop tripod in my bag that would have done nicely!

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:39:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Off the top of my head I'm not sure, but I wasn't able to get in quite close enough and still get a good focus to make the bones more prominent.

I will have to practice on your advice.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:08:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

I was wondering with the "shadow" and the "bones" pictures about the vertical or horizontal framing endless debate !
I find that I more often frame vertically ! And when I used a square format (120/220) I had drawn vertical 1.5 ratio on the finder's ground glass...

Maybe something to do with my own vision (meaning eyes, not philosophy :-) )?

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:58:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

I think I used to be freer and more creative in how I framed and cropped my shots but now I read too many magazines that tell me to crop in standard ways. I must keep myself from doing that.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:15:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 10)

I adore black and wite photogrpahy but it rarely occurs to me to convert images to B&W.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:37:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

From estHer. (4.00 / 9)

estHer shoots a lot of black and white and she loves to pose for the camera along with her friends.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:02:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: From estHer. (none / 0)

I would think she's right to experiment in B&W... :-) It allows to go immediately to the essentials !
This one is really good, dynamic, funny, and with proper shades of grey :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:01:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

There's a "trick" you can use on the D200 : You set the camera in B&W and shoot in NEF (Raw).
On the LCD you see the jpeg B&W picture and see if you like it or not - and train your sight to B&W - and still have the capacity to revert to color when processing the Raw file... :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:29:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Ahhh. I must give that a go, thanks.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:32:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

GR-D does the same, which is great, especially at high iso on the small sensor, which is always noisy.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:40:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Yes... I usually do that with small sensor cameras (just got a P50 for my wife as she wanted a cheap one, with manual override and 28mm)!

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:44:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Does it give you the RAW file as well?

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 07:02:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Alas.. No (that's why it's relatively cheap)!
And I don't like the overkill in 8 MegaPixels - I feel that at about 6 or less it would have been just as good !
But it's handy and useful- She seems quite happy with it :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 07:06:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

my favourite genre (4.00 / 9)

my favourite genres would certainly be skies, especially dawns, sunsets and freaky cloud/light effects, rural landscapes, and animals, including human ones!

but you all know that by now...

what amazes me about photography is how the camera sees parallel to my vision, sometimes expressing it, sometimes exceeding it, very similar to when i play a musical instrument, i send mental commands to my fingers, then suddenly the instrument plays itself in ways that surprise me.

it's precisely this interface between intention and event that makes me happy to dedicate myself, it's the risk and gamble, intuition and exploration.

i learn so much from so many good photographers here, it's a gas to have this place to come to and meet images.

henri cartier bresson and man ray are as close to pure genius as you can get, imo.

Peace is not the absence of war -- peace is the absence of fear. Ursula Franklin

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:03:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: my favourite genre (4.00 / 3)

I completely agree with that "interface" statement :-)
It's not what I see, yet it is...!
Then there is also the "showing" that allows for other viewpoints, interpretations... A picture can "run away" and live it's own life with other people giving it a meaning or a feeling you didn't even surmise at, when pressing the shutter button...

It's not a "finished" product !

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:48:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: my favourite genre (4.00 / 2)

well put sir...

deliciously mysterious, the whole flow... one drop in time and space, rippling on and on.

Peace is not the absence of war -- peace is the absence of fear. Ursula Franklin

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 03:51:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 10)

I don't really know if I have a favorite "genre"...? Maybe a Doisneau's liking, sort of the everyday life with a bit of humorous twist or an affectionate one ?
Anyhow it's surely with people... And that makes it harder as there is the eternal debate on "stealing" the shot (or the soul)!

The following was when we have a public photo gallery hanged on the fence of the "Luxembourg" garden in Paris... It allows for a game between the picture and the casual passer-by :-)

Was he thinking " I'd like to be there, under the sun" ?

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:37:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Fantastic juxtaposition there!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:28:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 8)

Maybe this one would more be in the "Doisneau's" style... And now I'm out, to get something to eat :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 11:33:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Ah, a picnic on the Quais... Can't it be june already ? okay, april may be warm enough, too. It was last year, at least.

Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium; atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:55:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Yes... Autumn, as we had a nice late one ! :-)

I'm a lezard with a "marmotte" feature, I sleep when it's cold and grey and only wake up when the sun shines... Every sunny day is just yesterday ! :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:59:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Portraits. (4.00 / 9)

I don't like to shoot indoors; usually my results are terrible. But these two I like. Some of you may recognize these people.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:41:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Portraits. (4.00 / 10)

With portraits I always hesitate between a very tight framing and a more distant, environmental one...?

The following was a quick grab shot of a student of mine, while we met by chance when I was strolling around in the Luxembourg garden, as usual (manual focus with a 85/2)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:58:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Portraits. (none / 1)

This framing works incredibly well. I often find with portraits that because I may not always have enough light in which to shoot, that my depth of field is too small and not quite enough is in focus - I look at the photo afterwards and realise the nose is sharply focussed but not quite for the eyes.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:18:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Portraits. (none / 0)

That's why I usually prefer manual focusing :-)

Then there is also that, with very shallow depth of field, you move a bit forward or backwards when pressing the shutter... It's imperceptible, but it's often there !

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:24:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Portraits. (none / 1)

Exactly, and I can't always quite spot the out of focus bits in the viewfinder or even on the LCD screen. Then I zoom in on my computer and shout at myself for spoiling a good shot!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:28:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Portraits. (4.00 / 2)

Lovely lady with enchanting eyes. You really captured her "soul."

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:49:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here's another one of my favorite portraits. (4.00 / 3)

I call it "The lady behind the Nikon."

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Sun Feb 17th, 2008 at 05:24:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's another one of my favorite portraits. (4.00 / 2)

Hint, hint ? :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sun Feb 17th, 2008 at 05:54:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's another one of my favorite portraits. (4.00 / 2)

Is it already the "café's" theme ?

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sun Feb 17th, 2008 at 05:56:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's another one of my favorite portraits. (none / 1)

Arrrrrghhhh!!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sun Feb 17th, 2008 at 04:53:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 11)

This one I call "Les dames"... Or "the friendly chat in the garden"...!
The flower dresses brought my eyes to it... But I think I was spotted by the one on the left :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:42:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

That has a wonderful charm about it.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:30:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

The "cup' of tea" is just missing :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:31:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Love this one!

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:46:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 7)

A last one in the "genre"... "La longue" (long play) which is at the origin of "pétanque". This peculiar way of playing supposedly need white shirt and pants !
Of course only the "aficionados" wear those, the more casual player being in shorts... :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:09:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

People genre from estHer. (4.00 / 6)

"Nous sommes bizarre!"

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:21:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: People genre from estHer. (none / 1)

It's all about curves..." (If I may :-) )

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:45:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 11)

My favorite Genre

Oh that is easy. I love to photograph difficult-to-build objects.

A show car

The St. Louis Gateway Arch
>

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin

"Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"

by techno (reply@elegant-technology.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:57:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

I did recognize the last one :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 07:01:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Difficult to build (4.00 / 2)

and requiring extreme maintenance (re: 3) ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:13:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Difficult to build (4.00 / 2)

Do you have that one right! Taliesin is a mess. It needs about $20 million worth of immediate maintenance.

On the other hand, Wingspread--the famous Wright-designed house in Racine--is supported by Johnson Wax money and is in pristine shape.

"Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"

by techno (reply@elegant-technology.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:52:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ruins (4.00 / 12)

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:08:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 12)

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:09:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

I wish I had see this one ! (temple of Amon ?) - My Indiana Jones' alter ego is itching to get out :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:28:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Judging from the rest of the pics in that series (3.88 / 9)

it's Edfu temple dedicated to Horus

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:55:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Judging from the rest of the pics in that seri (none / 0)

Wow, that's a great horus... Incredibly modern! (as the smaller one in the musée du louvre)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 10:56:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 9)

My favorite genre are flowers.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:35:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Nice "marguerite" sort of thing...
I must confess I know really nothing about flowers, except that I like either the very simple field ones or the very elaborate "zen" ones (like the tulip)...
The others, don't really get at me... Must have been badly trained :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 01:50:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 7)

Since I really started looking at flowers and herbs I found there are only beautiful once - some more eleborate than others, but each magical in a way.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:33:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 7)

As it was Valentine day (and because Fran made me think of it :-) ), a picture for all the ladies of E.T.
(What was it about the intention that counts ?) :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:05:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

lovely!

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 03:20:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Very nice!

by The3rdColumn on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 06:26:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 8)

I guess my favorite genres would have to be travel photography and portraiture.

However, this is my one year old grandson and I departing the Maya ruins at Comalcalco, Mex lats year. Obviously I didn't take this photo.

More of the ruins. This from the "castle" complex high above the plain where the pyramids are located.

Ruins of the "castle"

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 12:07:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Travels and portraiture... Yes, that's my sort of "cup of tea" :-)
But when I travel, camera in hand, it often gets me to speak to people, have a drink, etc.... And I usually forget to take pictures :-) < booze hiccup>

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 01:53:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Not a bad way to travel!

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:20:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here kitty kitty! (4.00 / 7)

At the Canberra Zoo. This tiger moved so fast when a keeper offered him tiger "cat nip" that it frightened me. How can anything so big move like that?

Eye of the tiger.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 12:15:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Mexican Colour (4.00 / 10)

A utility building at a hotel we stayed at in Merida, Mexico. Interesting colors

An illusion of a cool drink in the tropics - Comalcalco, Mex

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 12:20:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mexican Colour (none / 0)

I dream that we would be allowed to use those colors, here ! But it's very controlled !

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 01:55:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mexican Colour (none / 1)

Ah, yes. Understood. Almost anything goes in Mexico. I have a whole collection of similar photos of just buildings, shops and houses. Most of the colors are really well done.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:15:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Rainbow at Helsinki (4.00 / 6)

Wonderful Helsiki. Yes, I added some of the golden tinting.

A few minutes later, the sky cleared a little and a skydiver parachuted into the lake. I had hoped the photo would show both parachutist and rainbow, but it didn't happen.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 12:27:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 4)

Pyramid of Cheops and The Sphinx at night

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 12:30:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Damascus (4.00 / 11)

Ladies and children at the Omayyad Mosque

Street life near the mosque

Roman ruins and the souk.

A street called straight - I believe - from the book of Acts description of the conversion to Christianity of Saul of Tarsus.

Tomb of Saladin. Saladin's remains are in the sarcophagus on the left. The one on the right was a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Interior (prayer room) of the immense Omayyad Mosque

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 12:57:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Damascus (none / 0)

Great pictures... I envy you for seeing Damas ! Might go there, one of these days though! :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 01:57:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Damascus (none / 1)

Thanks, it is a great place to visit despite the political issues. It's less of a draw and not as spoiled by tourism than many countries. People are generally friendly and helpful. I highly recommend it.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 09:12:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 7)

Safari... Kinda obvious perhaps, but now I'm living in South Africa I have set myself 4 goals.

to hike in the Drakesnberg (partially fulfilled)
to surf
attempting to learn riding horseback
have a few decent animal pictures as memento

I've a long way to go... These are from last year.

Curious zeba

Big Boy in Moholoholo

Baby rhino (also Moholoholo)

I like rhino best - but obviously he's not in the wild...

by Nomad on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:03:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Even if not in the wild I'm not sure I would have got so near of the rhino...!!!! It's a young one, the second horn is just budding ?

I wonder what you'll find the most difficult in your four propositions :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 05:41:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Heh (none / 1)

This is the second impulse I've at this forum to write about Moholoholo. I think I should just go ahead and do it - because Moholoholo is also about education.

It was a baby rhino. I'm not sure about the second horn budding, that spot may just sit there and develop later on. Rhino was cool - as all rhinos he was almost blind, but this one was accustomed to the presence of humans. The moment we entered the pen, it would amble towards us - like a monstrous dog. It just mingled and wanted attention; it was stunning. First time I've touched a rhino. Rhinos are, however, also very skittish, so we were warned to always stay aside of him. It would charge if it would be startled by someone in front of him - and even the charge of a baby rhino can do damage...

I rumbled through my hard drive, but the most spectacular picture I've is still in the Netherlands!!! Argh. I've been lucky enough to have swum with the world's only hippo accustomed to humans - Jessica.

Of all the four goals, I'm hedging learning surfing will be the hardest, considering Johannesburg is not at the coast... There is a distinction... I want to learn surf, meaning not give up before I reasonably can, but I just want to attempt horseback...

by Nomad on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 03:37:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 0)

You should go ahead for a diary on Moholoholo... :-)
As it points to the preservation of wildlife and the issues...!

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 05:26:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (4.00 / 3)

great description of your rhino encounter!

as for surfing, it's hard paddling and waiting, then the rush.

bodysurfing is really fun, i prefer having nothing between skin and wave, and the bouncing you do with your feet on the sand in the backwash and leaping for best positioning is like radical capoeira, flips, kick, lunges, spins...

with the magnificent antagonist of the water...

best sport i ever enjoyed...

riding depends so much on the horse you're on. some are like armchairs and if you start with one that's really serene-to-the-point-of-dull, you can relax into it, and build the musculature necessary for a more 'interesting' ride.

i am riding out my horse regularly into the surrounding woodlands, and it definitely has parallels with how i felt about the ocean, and the sense of energised immersion.

good luck, those particular choices i can vouch for having brought much pleasure and satisfaction, with the added benefit of being builders of health and strength, applied in your 30's, will make a big difference in how you experience your body in later life.

tip from an old man!

great to have your dutch take on s. africa, and points beyond, what makes ET so cool.

Peace is not the absence of war -- peace is the absence of fear. Ursula Franklin

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 08:38:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 9)

My favorite genre is street photography the way Cartier-Bresson (who we were studying this week at school; our teacher kinda knew him and now he wants us to find the decisive moments around us) did it and the way Trent Parke does it. I find it very difficult.

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:02:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

Great ones ... :-)

The "Decisive moment" is quite hard to get! As even Cartier-Bresson never said for what it was decisive (action, story, emotion, composition, or the whole lot together) !

Did I already asked you if you read french ? (Aloïs moment - sigh)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:11:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Je parle français.. un petit peu. Je l'ai étudié à l' école mais j'ai tout oublié :-p

What's amazing with Cartier-Bresson is that he not only caught the moments, but also the perfect form and the perfect composition. It's amazing. And probably impossible to take apart for analyzing...

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:19:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Sent a mail with a work on HCB :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 06:55:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Thanks! Really appreciate it.

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 07:59:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

He also often made people pose for him, in his "spontaneous" photographs...

(Not that it makes him any less talented)

Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium; atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 07:00:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

I recently read an article by someone who once accompanied Cartier-Bresson on one of his street rambles. He wore the Leica on a strap around his neck but was constantly jerking it to eye position as he approached a situation what he thought would become a "decisive moment." The companion described it as an almost nervous habit that often resulted in no shutter release.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 10:00:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Yes, it illustrates the differences in viewfinders, between the "waist" finder of most 6x6 cameras, the rangefinder's one with eyes both open, ad the "reflex" sort, centered in the middle of the camera...

I found out that with a waist finder, I look and compose the scene in my mind, then, only, frame it... While with a reflex, I move a frame on a subject till I find a composition I like !
With a rangefinder it's a little of both worlds, but you still have to raise the camera to eye level !

Some high level reflex allowed for the changing of the viewfinder, and the use of a "semi-waist" level sort ! But now they've sealed the damn thing!

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 06:20:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Good points. I find I do like a waist level finder more than I thought I would. Much more convenient when the camera position has to be low to capture a certain perspective.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 11:53:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Excuse my ignorance, but what's a waist level viefinder?

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 12:55:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

The "classical viewfinder used in the camera below....

You hold the camera at "waist" height (usually a bit higher) and look down to frame, focus, etc. Not to confuse with "sport finders" which were just a wire crisscrossed frame still used in underwater shoots !

Some P&S like the "twisting" coolpix series (900, 4500, SQ), allows for shooting at the "waist" while looking down to he LCD (and give the photographer shooting in between parked cars, the look of someone who's doing something else :-) )!

From the Nikon F to the F4 (dunno for the F5, but the F6 is definitely sealed) those reflex with prism cameras could have the prism taken off and replaced by a "waist loupe" that would allow a different way of shooting!

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 03:55:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Colman got my dad's old Rolleiflex (looks like the Seagull above) out this morning and loaded some film into it...might take some photos with it tomorrow...

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde

by Sam on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 04:51:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

I hope it'll go well :-)
The rolleiflex was/is a great camera and I can even recall myself that most photographers used it for press, mariages, etc.! You could get gorgeous negatives :-)

So much for the incessant change of lenses or zooming that we do today, as those were with a fixed lens (on one model though, you could change the dual lens for another set)!
It's the Vietnam war that brought in many people's mind the multi-purposedness of the SLR or "single" lens reflex with changeable lenses...

So we'll get to see them next Friday ? :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sun Feb 17th, 2008 at 05:03:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

These are great! I'd have been nervous hanging around the scene in the second one with my camera. Did you get spotted?

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 03:23:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Some day I post a series of "dirty look" photos. I have a lot of them. We could probably do a diary with that subject.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 05:18:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

It was Carnival night, so it was completely chaotic and no-one minded..

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 05:33:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 3)

This is perhaps my favorite eavesdropping photo taken at the cafe, Chez Pradel, last spring. I should probably change it to black and white. All cafe photos look good in black and white.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 05:38:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

Aaah... The "Café's" pictures... Almost a topic by itself ! :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 05:45:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Yes. Good idea. In Wales, are you watching?

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 05:48:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Watching what?!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 06:09:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 1)

Sorry. I meant are you here and capturing all of these great ideas for future diaries by margouillat and myself.

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 06:14:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 2)

The "café's gnomes" tribe... :-)

"What can I do, What can I write, Against the fall of Night". A.E. Housman

by margouillat (hemidactylus(dot)frenatus(at)wanadoo(dot)fr) on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 at 06:22:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (none / 0)

photos as usual

I told Bush; don't play chess with the freakin' Russians.

by LEP (rafifoon@yahoo.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:20:01 AM EST

Re: Friday Photography Blog #22 (4.00 / 8)

Here's the cat, in focus and looking cute.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 at 04:34:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]