Friday, July 1, 2011 | 4 Comments 
It wasn't our first stop in Istanbul, but it's a great place to get a taste of architecture in Istanbul, Anatolia and Ottoman territories outside of Turkey. The 1:25 models are built to astonishing detail with attention given to the aging of different materials and scaled surroundings.
Thursday, June 23, 2011 | 2 Comments 
Nearly two years ago, I posted this collection of photos taken in Ealing, West London, showing it old and new. Today I came across this blog on Fereej's and just had to share it here. I love the idea and I will keep checking for more entries. I'm sure the collection, when it's a little richer, can be turned into a fun book. The photo above is by Dan Perry and the caption reads 'Grandma loved this beach'.
Blog: DearPhotograph
Thursday, June 16, 2011 | 5 Comments 
It's interesting, it's special and when you see it as it happens, it's amazing! My father quite rightly reminded me that every day's sunrise and sunset is just as amazing... we just got used to it. This one happens less frequently so we give it more importance. I heard about the lunar eclipse about ten days ago and was pleased to see that I would be in town.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 | 6 Comments 
Thursday, May 26, 2011 | 2 Comments 
I'm sorry to remain in the iPhone theme, but this was just too good to ignore. The image processing power of the iPhone 4 is impressive, however the size of the lens is a limiting factor. It's amazing how much light it manages to capture, but space on the device is clearly a challenge. There are many solutions on the market ranging from the very basic stick-on glass to the bulky adaptors that can hold your collection of lenses onto your phone. I wanted something that I could carry separately from the phone and snap it on when I needed to capture a wider angle, or to take a close-up of a subject. Google suggested... and I believed.
The Olloclip is not yet in production but, unsurprisingly, the developers have managed to get their funding in full - and quite a bit more... Visit their website and watch the brief video about the their idea and design. I like the simplicity and the versatility. On the website and video, they show a few example shots to whet your appetite. If you order it now, you would get it at a discounted price. I ordered mine yesterday.
Website: Olloclip Project Page: Kickstarter
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 | 1 Comment 
Ever since I got my iPhone4 late last year, I have seen little need to carry a small just-in-case camera with me. I use my DSLR on special shoots, interesting trips and important occasions. Short business trips to familiar cities, every-day family snaps and updates to social networks were the job of my Canon G11. This task has firmly shifted to my phone - especially with the ease of sharing through the phone's connection without having to download the images.
A great app for sharing photos straight from your iPhone to a large, and growing, photographer community is Instagram. It does to the mobile-phone photo world what flickr did for online sharing. I love the simplicity of it all: Take a shot, add an effect, write a comment (location optional) and post.
There is some great talent out there to learn from, and more importantly it makes you look around for that special something that just begs to be captured.
Saturday, May 21, 2011 | 4 Comments 
I've been very busy this last fortnight to even think about posting new material. I can't believe I haven't yet had a chance to look at my photos from Istanbul. Those should produce a few fun posts too. I hope to have them online soon. This weekend, I managed to tidy up these images of (and from) the Cathedral in Geneva.
Friday, May 6, 2011 | 3 Comments 
I've been meaning to go to the Historical, Vintage & Classic Cars Museum of Kuwait. This week would have been the perfect time as they're organising a photo competition. Unfortunately I'm out of town and won't be able to make this one. If you're interested in participating, you will need to submit your entries by 12th May. I will try to make it for the exhibition.
Competition: Facebook page Museum: Website
Friday, April 29, 2011 | 7 Comments 
I often find myself in shops in big cities and airports when I'm ready to buy my next toy, but I'm hesitant because I'm not yet certain. The trouble with chains and franchises that is you're usually being served by a spotty teenager whose understanding of a 'good quality point-and-shoot' is a pump-action-water-pistol. Photography is my hobby so my knowledge comes from my little experience, magazines, blogs and online reviews. When I'm in a shop, I'm almost sure of what I'm buying and if I'm still thinking, I need a little help. I don't get there only to hear someone read the product description from the box. I'm there to see the item in real life, feel it and perhaps hear an opinion about other potential options. I don't want to waste my time in place, nor feel obliged to buy something, just because I answered the dreadful question: 'Can I help you?'... No you can't... and no I would not like fries with that!
Amateur photographers fall into a strange customer segment. Our world of shopping is polarised between a shop whose product knowledge (and stock) is limited, and the virtual world where nothing can be touched nor tested. There are of course exceptions: you don't need to touch a battery, this can be bought online, and there are some chains with very professional sales people who've been trained to explain things better... BUT I'm often in and out of a shop in city far away for a maximum of thirty minutes... and I usually get the water-pistol guy!
Friday, April 22, 2011 | 4 Comments 
It's rare for a business trip to offer a whole day in a city, but this is exactly what I had in Geneva. I stopped there on my way home from France. I arrived in the evening and my flight was not until the following night. I had little idea what to expect, having not read about Geneva until I was in the taxi from La Clusaz.