daily
cute cats
My friends often cat sit and have liked after a number of cute cats. This one was a cutey. Just like all shy models, cats need a while to get used to a camera and I didn't have much time to introduce myself. Even though this isn't the most relaxed cat picture, I do like the cute cat and the look of my 50mm.
Canon 6D with 85mm
selfie stick with smartphone
I've been meaning to do a comparison of DSLR Vs selfie stick photos for some time. It seems that selfie sticks became the norm for couples and travelers but can photos taken by them be as good as a DSLR? When I saw Christine taking a photo by the Main river in Frankfurt I thought it would be a good opportunity to find out.
A full frame camera and small tele lens is bound to have a bit better background separation and blurry bokeh even when stopped down on a bright sunny day. In both pictures the sky is blown as shooting towards the sun. In general the DSLR probably is sharper and looks better to my eyes but I wonder if I keep doing selfie comparisons, will any particular situation favour the selfie... To be continued!
something old, something new, something borrowed, something full frame
I might have to work on my rhyming skills. I did some photography at a wedding last week and while it was a long day, it was sunny and enjoyable every minute. Weddings are a special time and this wedding was certainly that involving a ceremony, party at a cafe and a trip on the local Frankfurt apple wine tram!
On my part, before the wedding I researched the locations, hunted for good photo places online and in person, did lots of research, found an able assistant and made tons of prep notes which all went out the window as time and circumstance didn't work in my favour at all...
Even so, it was a great event that I was proud to be a part of, and hopefully have recorded some decent memories of! If anybody needs any advice for wedding shoots - definitely have a back up camera even if you just borrow; take more batteries than you think you will need and make sure they are all fully charged; take time to relax amongst the chaos and have fun!
You know your son's childhood is over when you both get to see Mickey pull off his own head and then ram a mobile phone into the gaping wound.
One of the oddest things I've seen next to a children's playground in Japan is this grounded fighter jet that was used for training the Japanese air force. The canopy was a bit hazy and has some anti glare coating on which caused some strange reflections and I had to reach over with my camera, so I didn't know what was actually in the cockpit until after I got to my computer.
Pentax 67 on Fuji 400H
I have had the privilege to know an amazing lady called Sachiko for well over 10 years who was one of my first English students while I was working in Japan. Since I have known her, she has never stopped being active, traveling the world, learning new skills and challenging herself much more than people half her age. I was lucky to meet her this time with my family while on Japan to catch up and show her how much my son has grown since last we met.
Saga Castle (Sachiko in the left)
Sachiko has been busy making baskets since last we met. Each take a couple of days and involve woven string, lacquer and a lot of patience. Each of her pieces have completely different sizes, shapes and patterns of weave. I thought this basket would look good with flowers in but we will try to use it for shopping in the weekly market.
We were lucky to receive a basket from Sachiko and after getting it back home in one piece, really wanted to give a way to show her craftsmanship to the world.
On one side of the world, Brazilians parade in the heat to samba beats and tropical drinks, on the other side Germans march in freezing temperatures drink pils and throw boiled sweets into the crowds of onlookers. I'm not sure why we can't have German carnival in summer instead.
I don't know how anyone can survive outside in a kimono with no proper shoes on when it is staying to snow.
There is a reason why Japanese shinkansen accidents are so low despite how fast they travel. The drivers follow tons of safety checks and procedures to the letter including handing over the train to the next driver at the final station.
Fires are set by local communities and families who work on the rice fields in the hope of a good harvest for the coming year. They stack up large bamboo bonfires for a few days before lighting them and roasting sweet potato, rice mochi and drinking hot drinks or beer in the cold winter air to keep warm.
I'm always amazed by how Japanese people embrace traditional methods of working in this technological era and how much effort and dedication they put into a craft that has been forgotten in western society. This man was cutting big blocks of ice into cubes, dipping them in water and then bagging them up for sale with a lot of care and precision. The shop sells frozen kakigori (Japanese slush puppies). As it is January I wasn't ready for one, but I bet they are the best around in summer!
The perfect cup (Aeropress method)
https://m.facebook.com/haycoffeestand/?locale2=en_GB
Found the best place for coffee in Kagoshima for early mornings. Hay coffee stand is open at 7 and it's an inspiration to see the coffee begging made with every aspect of the brew weighed and times to perfection!!
http://www.v-d-blokk.de
Was lucky to go to an indoor Christmas market this weekend and get a quick family portrait done which is really cool and unique by V.D. Blokk.
The artist at work!
There was loud music playing somewhere near my place this evening so went to have a look what was going on. A crew of Harley Davidson bikes, black Benz's and entourage of muscle men were making a music video. They had two camera men, a drone, a crowd of onlookers and some perplexed residents who were not able to get past the spectacle for 20 minutes or so. They must be pretty famous and important as the police came... Then went with a smile. Although they were against people taking photo or video I got this shot during a quiet moment. If only I knew who they were...
