Posts from — July 2008

For those who are using a digital camera, what is the average number of shots you take when you go out for a day shoot? 50-100 maybe. How about if you go for a 10 days holiday tour ? 400-1000 maybe.

The question is what do you do with the shots you took? Some of us will simply upload them into the harddisk and never let them see daylight again. Some will upload the whole lot of shots into a photo sharing site  like http://www.multiply.com .

However if you are serious about photography, then you will spend some time to do some self critique before selecting a small set for processing and uploading. So how do I do my self critique? Here are some of the stuff that goes through my mind when i review my photographs.

1. Does this photograph tell a story by itself? Otherwise you may have to write a few hundred words to explain why you take this photograph.
2. Does it convey a message?  Is there a  message of peacefulness? Devotion? Love? Endurance?
3. Will I hang this photograph on my wall or publish it in a book? This usually goes for my nature shots
4. Is it technically well executed?  Did you control the sharpness or blurriness to the best effect? Did you exposed it correctly to the best effect?
5. Do I like this photograph?

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

After 12 lotus, now is an exhibition titled 12 Years of Black and White Photography by Desmond Teo, an avid black and white photographer. He is also an instructor at SAFRA photoclub and  conducts the monochrome class at a regular basis.

The roots of a lotus grow in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the beautiful flower lies above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

Often mistaken with the water lily plant, the obvious difference is that the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the water surface.

Here is a montage of 12 lotus photographs. Enjoy them and learn to be like a lotus.

This is another classic film camera that I owned and tested. This is a 35mm rangefinder that come with a  Color Yashinon DX 45mm 1:1.7-16 lens. Trust me this lens is sharp. When I collected the scanned CD and developed negatives from the shop, I examined the negatives under a loupe. Boy, the images were sharp!

This is bigger than the Olympus 35 EC and weighs about 700g and is solidly built. I love the feel of it in my hands. This cameras can be obtained cheaply from Ebay at around US$25 or less. As with all old cameras, you will need to check the working condition and the condition of the light seals before you bid for one.

This camera uses the old mercury batteries that could not be found these days. Just roll of 4 LR44 button cells batteries and add some aluminium foil to make the contact.

Some sample photos off the camera.

Shopfront at Haiji Lane, Singapore

Shadow on a HDB block , Singapore

Well just as you has just bought your D300 and think it is the greatest camera, Nikon announced the D700.

Cutting through all the marketing talk, here are the major features of this D700 camera that matters to me (a D70 user).

1. FX - full frame! I could use my AF 20mm lens now was a wide angle lens!
2. ISO 200-6400 - useful in certain situation
3. Live mode
4. Image sensor cleaning - wow no more dust specks on photos

Price and date of availability is unknown yet.