bookmark_borderRed Arrows at Farnborough International Airshow 2014

Red Arrows at the Farnborough International Airshow 2014
Red Arrows at the Farnborough International Airshow 2014

As I copied files off the D200, I realised that I had not used the Nikon since January. The keepers make me glad that I forced myself to shoot the Farnborough Airshow 2014 fly-bys.

This photo was taken with the D200 and a vintage manual Sirius 70-210mm f/4-5.6. I had to check the metering frequently because the light kept changing. The trick, I found, was to spot-meter on the clouds at +2 EV — as per the zone system — and to let the exposure take care of itself in the rest of the frame.

bookmark_borderHappy New Year

Glass façade building on Oxford Street, London, United Kingdom
Glass façade building on Oxford Street, London, United Kingdom

I wish you all a very Happy New Year. I hope that 2013 was a good year and that 2014 will be an even better one.

This picture reminds me of the festive atmosphere in London on the last day of 2008 as we wandered around, waiting for the NYE celebrations to begin.

bookmark_borderSurprising Wroclaw

Close-up of love padlocks on Tumski Bridge, Wroclaw
Close-up of love padlocks on Tumski Bridge, Wroclaw

I had never thought of Poland as a great tourist destination. But after spending five days in Wroclaw, I’m ready to go back. The city has beautiful landmarks, great food, and amazing people.

Here is a close-up picture of the love padlocks on Most Tumski—a most original expression of love and friendship.

bookmark_borderReminiscing the Panasonic Lumix FZ18

Red Arrows at Farnborough International Airshow 2008
Red Arrows at Farnborough International Airshow 2008

In retrospect, the Panasonic Lumix FZ18 was an amazing bridge camera.

This picture was taken with the Lumix shortly before I upgraded to a Nikon D40. As the situation demanded, the aperture was set for a depth of field spanning from the hyper-focal distance to infinity, and the camera was pointed in a direction that would place the Red Arrows in the frame as they flew by.

My only criticism of the Lumix FZ18 was that it produced a lot of digital noise in pictures. This photo captured at ISO 100 is noisier than pictures taken at ISO 3200 from modern DSLR cameras.

bookmark_borderWhy candid?

Priscilla holding Sacha wearing fairy wings
“I’m flying.” There are no dull moments when Priscilla and Sacha are together.

My favourite photography genre is candid. I like pictures that are unique combinations of events, feelings, and places. While a beautiful landscape can be re-visited and a portrait re-created, a moment remains truly unique.

bookmark_borderParis

Tour Montparnasse in Paris
Paris is remarkable for its relatively few tall structures, which makes Tour Montparnasse even more spectacular in its isolated position.

I thought I wouldn’t enjoy wandering in a strange city, but I quite liked our Parisian strolls. We might even go back.

bookmark_borderSaint Michael’s Church in Basingstoke

Old door of Saint-Michael's Church in Basingstoke, UK
The antique door of a side entrance at Saint Michael’s Church shows its age.

Saint Michael’s Church is opposite Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Besides its age the church is interesting in that it bears the scars of aerial bombing by the Germans in their attempt to destroy a nearby ammunitions factory during World War II. Next to the church stands a former school. On the outside walls there are still deep marks left by pupils who used the bricks to sharpen their slate pencils.