Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Excited

Ok today I just received Ara Guler's book on Istanbul, which have a special place in my heart.
It is moving to see images of the old city and try to image how it was like to live there.
Speaking of context, date and place will help a lot, if you add a note its even better. Today's camera with GPS and EXIF info is a blessing for photographers.

This week I've also been looking at Boubat, Bresson and Steve McCurry body of work. Most of them is a photojournalist and street-shooter. Great photos I'd say, I even tempted to get Bresson's collection.

And if you are movie lovers, you have to watch King's Speech. Don't worry I'm not going to turn this blog into a movie review site (yet ;)

Anyway, I processed my first roll of film yesterday. Well.. my first serious film photography actually, I've shoot films when I was a kid. Only one frame were successfully shot, and that was with point and shoot!
Sporty Painter, shot on Tri-X

Friday, February 18, 2011

Enjoying a Picture

Continuing my mind drifting.
I just received Peter Turnley's Parisian. At first I don't find the images interesting.
I find that to enjoy a picture, one must put a context into it. That's why an image is powerful when it has a story to it. Or why black and white picture is so compelling, because you can put your own context for the picture.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Achievement vs Enjoyment

Yesterday I was down with virus.. but I managed to go to work and finish at six nonetheless (I would like to give credit to a can of Pringles.. thank you.. I'll eat you no more! LoL) and today my stomach decide to rebel against me.
My friend decided to start shooting film because its fun. Sure its fun, but when you look the result.. well..its not so fun anymore. I think what he is really looking for is a sense of achievement. I mean, with film you have to carefully study the scene exposure and make good judgment before you shoot. Not so with digital, which do it for you in a split second, and better at it as well.
So if we capture a good picture with the film camera, we will get a sense of accomplishment because all of the effort that we have spent. But with the digital camera, the credit goes to the camera :) Sometimes the result is totally unexpected, in a good way of course.

For example, few weeks ago I went out and took some street shots. But the place was too crowded and it started to drizzle. I went home and feeling defeated. When download the pictures from the card today, they look good, and it captures the mood of the moment well!



The Temple

A Glowing Wish




Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Pride and Prejudice.. and Film

Pride & Prejudice

I just replay Pride and Prejudice last night. I think it's one of the best movie about romantic Victorian era. It reveals about culture and norm of that period. And to say that Kiera Knightley has done a good job is a bit underwhelming. I think she is perfect for the role. Her face fits perfectly, its not strikingly pretty. But once you get past the surface, it will radiate elegance and beauty. And that is what the story is all about.. partly. What is fascinating about the Brits in Victorian era is their manner. Despite their feeling to whom they talk to, they will still show their respect and speak accordingly. I will certainly download the e-book version of the novel.



I've just bought a film camera..why did I buy it? Well.. first, a friend buy me into it :(
But then I like mechanical stuff, just like my self-winding automatic watch. Granted the FE-2 is not fully mechanical. And shooting film is not cheap, contrary to the general  opinion. I went on weekend to various processing lab and manage to obtain processing fee information. Lets just say, shoot enough rolls, you can buy yourself a decent digital SLR. But it's not about that. Shooting film is about selection, because every frame costs you. You don't waste any frame for insignificant shot.