So far ive built up quite an addiction to photographic lenses and my promise to self is to not buy anymore. At least not until its really needed. This stuff really does weigh a ton.
I carried most of it on the trip to Sanya Island and only really used half.
So far my kit includes.
Canon 400D
10-20mm f4-5.6 Sigma
18-55mm kit
35mm f/2
50mm f/1.8
28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
70-200mm f/4L
camera add-ons
off camera flash cable
battery grip
430EXII
550EX
remotes tripods and memory cards
6.9.07
photos ive missed
The other day whilst returning from jury service driving on a road i hardly ever use. i saw the Kew steam museum tower with a beautiful cloudy sky backdrop. with just the right amount of green trees to give it a nice balance.
3.9.07
Gallery Site is down
Some of you may have noticed that my site has been down, this is due to formating and upgrading my OS. I will no longer host my gallery from my home computer.
Have been thinking for a while about this one and I will be moving my gallery from home hosting to a web hosting provider.
So im in the market of finding a nice web host.
I havent decided a website name yet so if anyone is reading this, you got any ideas?
123-reg.co.uk is doing a good deal. I may go with them.
Have been thinking for a while about this one and I will be moving my gallery from home hosting to a web hosting provider.
So im in the market of finding a nice web host.
I havent decided a website name yet so if anyone is reading this, you got any ideas?
123-reg.co.uk is doing a good deal. I may go with them.
12.6.07
100
The last few days have been hard to update my gallery when it hits the big 100 you really don't know what's good enough to put at this celebrated and centennial number. I mean the next one will be 1000 right? took me 6 months to get to 100. 1000 will take, what 5 years (you see that bit of maths there). It is not my favourite shot of the last 6 months I don't think I've found that shot yet. Some say it'll take forever to find that shot.
But I hope my small audience has found my gallery interesting. Leave comments its appreciated! o and Sing sorry I had to delete your comment it was derogatory and it is a public site after all :D
But I hope my small audience has found my gallery interesting. Leave comments its appreciated! o and Sing sorry I had to delete your comment it was derogatory and it is a public site after all :D
23.5.07
photos ive missed
So, driving back from a friends place tonight and well i had another.
driving past on the river bank you can see the bridges along the river there is a great shot there. next time i drive past i will have to stop and take the photo. ill need a tripod..or maybe rest it on the rails. ill bring the tripod just in case.
nightshot: Chelsea? or Battersea Bridge? lit up with lights a long reflection on the surface of the water.
I've seen this shot for many years its always there.
driving past on the river bank you can see the bridges along the river there is a great shot there. next time i drive past i will have to stop and take the photo. ill need a tripod..or maybe rest it on the rails. ill bring the tripod just in case.
nightshot: Chelsea? or Battersea Bridge? lit up with lights a long reflection on the surface of the water.
I've seen this shot for many years its always there.
photos ive missed
when your taking the camera with you everywhere you go and then one day you decide not to take it. what happens? you miss an amazing shot!
what do you do? forget about it and move on another amazing shot will come again soon. dont miss it this time!
today i missed a shot this morning on the way to work.
that haze from the heat on the road when i was driving up into the parking lot. when i walked back to the same spot. it was already gone and ill be running late if i stayed anylonger.
it looked like reflections on dry tarmac. amazing
what do you do? forget about it and move on another amazing shot will come again soon. dont miss it this time!
today i missed a shot this morning on the way to work.
that haze from the heat on the road when i was driving up into the parking lot. when i walked back to the same spot. it was already gone and ill be running late if i stayed anylonger.
it looked like reflections on dry tarmac. amazing
22.5.07
10.5.07
Im still learning new things part 2
Illustrator is a very powerful tool, only recently have i exposed myself to alot more of this wonderful package. It creates the ever so popular vector images.
One interesting tool within Illustrator (or whichever vector program you use) is the gradient mesh tools.
This is the tutorial that i used today to learn the basics of this tool. whats interesting about this tool is the advanced level of shading that can be done using it in illustrator. instead of working on layers and layers of shading for each shade, Use this to get a gradiented fill instead.
there are some impressive examples from this site below
www.lifeinvector.com
heres another link from creativebits.org to further this subject
http://creativebits.org/2005/02/ai-gradient-mesh-tool-you-never-use.html
One interesting tool within Illustrator (or whichever vector program you use) is the gradient mesh tools.
This is the tutorial that i used today to learn the basics of this tool. whats interesting about this tool is the advanced level of shading that can be done using it in illustrator. instead of working on layers and layers of shading for each shade, Use this to get a gradiented fill instead.
there are some impressive examples from this site below
www.lifeinvector.com
heres another link from creativebits.org to further this subject
http://creativebits.org/2005/02/ai-gradient-mesh-tool-you-never-use.html
Im still learning new things part 1
The * button on my camera is the metering lock.
Say the subject is backlit what you need to do is to meter lock the somewhere shadier to trick the camera into over exposing the back ground to bring up the details on the subject. i havent put it into practice yet but it sounds relatively easy to include this into my "taking photo process".
frame. set aperture/shutter. meter lock. compose. focus. recompose. shoot
any one with "taking photo process" tips are welcome to comment
Say the subject is backlit what you need to do is to meter lock the somewhere shadier to trick the camera into over exposing the back ground to bring up the details on the subject. i havent put it into practice yet but it sounds relatively easy to include this into my "taking photo process".
frame. set aperture/shutter. meter lock. compose. focus. recompose. shoot
any one with "taking photo process" tips are welcome to comment
4.5.07
Wheres My Lens??
Waiting Waiting, its the worse bit when your buying online to wait. I hope it comes in today. as i will be needing it over the long weekend. PLUS my 8gb CF card too.
fingers crossed!
at this point im always scared that the product i get is faulty in some sort of way. But after buying online for a number of years now Ive never been that unlucky. (touch wood)
update
it arrived! 1.45pm it arrived my new baby 70-200mm f4L
ill test it more when i get out of the office
its that new lens smell....mmmm absorb the aroma haha
fingers crossed!
at this point im always scared that the product i get is faulty in some sort of way. But after buying online for a number of years now Ive never been that unlucky. (touch wood)
update
it arrived! 1.45pm it arrived my new baby 70-200mm f4L
ill test it more when i get out of the office
its that new lens smell....mmmm absorb the aroma haha
2.5.07
Two Hour Phone Upgrade!
RANT alert!
Bought a new sofa, and a fridge. Sofa is 7-12 weeks lead time, isnt that AGES!?
then went to get lunch and saw an O2 shop, ok this should be quick in out and new phone and ill be a happy man.
TWO HOURS LATER, I walk out of O2 shop with a new phone.
Granted the guy was a trainee, totally new, totally didnt know how to deal/talk with customers
had your average laid back attitude. Im not sure if he got a grinding afterwards from his manager.
But anyway the phone is great i got home and installed the tomtom on to it, put my new sim card in and its not activated!!!....ok thats stange maybe its a 24hour to activate kinda stuff old school style. Im still waiting. Im hoping nothing went through and i dont have a contract with them but i walked out with a phone hahahahahaha
fingers crossed
Xda Orbit quick review.
Its matt finished and feels solid but not heavy in your hand. the fuctionality was pretty good out of the box, but i still had to install magic button jsut simply because of the flaws in the PPC OS
it has the important OK button which is cool. built in GPS is a god send its quick too. Connecting bluetooth to your phone and then waiting again for GPS lock is about 10mins for me. Then the bluetooth might decide to stop working.
ive had it for two days now and its still on 1st charge ive used GPS on it already and Wifi for a couple of minutes. 63% battery level, im quite impressed so far. My previous O2 Atom only lasts a day max, with bluetooth on and wifi your dead in 30mins.
its recommended if your looking to not carry so much stuff around with you.
GPS, Point and Shoot, Notepad(doesnt beat paper), Schedule, Phone.
Bought a new sofa, and a fridge. Sofa is 7-12 weeks lead time, isnt that AGES!?
then went to get lunch and saw an O2 shop, ok this should be quick in out and new phone and ill be a happy man.
TWO HOURS LATER, I walk out of O2 shop with a new phone.
Granted the guy was a trainee, totally new, totally didnt know how to deal/talk with customers
had your average laid back attitude. Im not sure if he got a grinding afterwards from his manager.
But anyway the phone is great i got home and installed the tomtom on to it, put my new sim card in and its not activated!!!....ok thats stange maybe its a 24hour to activate kinda stuff old school style. Im still waiting. Im hoping nothing went through and i dont have a contract with them but i walked out with a phone hahahahahaha
fingers crossed
Xda Orbit quick review.
Its matt finished and feels solid but not heavy in your hand. the fuctionality was pretty good out of the box, but i still had to install magic button jsut simply because of the flaws in the PPC OS
it has the important OK button which is cool. built in GPS is a god send its quick too. Connecting bluetooth to your phone and then waiting again for GPS lock is about 10mins for me. Then the bluetooth might decide to stop working.
ive had it for two days now and its still on 1st charge ive used GPS on it already and Wifi for a couple of minutes. 63% battery level, im quite impressed so far. My previous O2 Atom only lasts a day max, with bluetooth on and wifi your dead in 30mins.
its recommended if your looking to not carry so much stuff around with you.
GPS, Point and Shoot, Notepad(doesnt beat paper), Schedule, Phone.
25.4.07
Thirst For Lenses
Its been a good few months since i bought anything tasty for my camera, and i got this itchy gremlin that is telling me to buy something. maybe its an addiction!
been lookin at cheaper alternatives to the £1000 lense that i was dribbling over a few months ago, it really isnt a good idea to buy the canon 70-200 2.8L IS USM, so im thinking i can actually get two lenses for that amount of money and then maybe upgrade later, when photography isnt jsut a side hobby.
so im lookin at two lenses now the 17-55 f2.8 IS USM at £500 or EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 at £350. the 17 ive been reading good reviews about plus it has that f2.8 ive sorta chose that one but it really is the price that gets me. still thinking.
and then the other option is at the longer end the previous 700-200 f2.8L IS USM could be replaced with the 70-200 f2.8L which is alot cheaper! or even cheaper will be the f4L version which ive read is more value for money.
i have a 28-135mm IS USM which isnt long, but it isnt wide either. it really is a good lense tho, and with a 1.6x cropped sensor on the 400D it is quite an adequate zoom.
im stuck. it would be nice to take pictures until after dusk, but would i really?
i dont think ive been taking pictures long enough to figure out my patterns. i know at least that i dont like to carry a tripod everywhere i go.
to be honest im not sure if i can tell the difference with the lenses sharpness yet. i jsut like the wide apertures. The kit lenses isnt really so bad. mind you, lense distortion is a big problem with it at the 17 end (photoshop easily fixes it)
THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY! playing with PCs is alot cheaper. (geek)
Current Kit
Canon 400D
28-135mm IS USM
50mm 1.8 mkII
17-55mm kit
3 batteries
4GB extreme II CF
some cheap tripod
any advice would be appreciated!
been lookin at cheaper alternatives to the £1000 lense that i was dribbling over a few months ago, it really isnt a good idea to buy the canon 70-200 2.8L IS USM, so im thinking i can actually get two lenses for that amount of money and then maybe upgrade later, when photography isnt jsut a side hobby.
so im lookin at two lenses now the 17-55 f2.8 IS USM at £500 or EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 at £350. the 17 ive been reading good reviews about plus it has that f2.8 ive sorta chose that one but it really is the price that gets me. still thinking.
and then the other option is at the longer end the previous 700-200 f2.8L IS USM could be replaced with the 70-200 f2.8L which is alot cheaper! or even cheaper will be the f4L version which ive read is more value for money.
i have a 28-135mm IS USM which isnt long, but it isnt wide either. it really is a good lense tho, and with a 1.6x cropped sensor on the 400D it is quite an adequate zoom.
im stuck. it would be nice to take pictures until after dusk, but would i really?
i dont think ive been taking pictures long enough to figure out my patterns. i know at least that i dont like to carry a tripod everywhere i go.
to be honest im not sure if i can tell the difference with the lenses sharpness yet. i jsut like the wide apertures. The kit lenses isnt really so bad. mind you, lense distortion is a big problem with it at the 17 end (photoshop easily fixes it)
THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY! playing with PCs is alot cheaper. (geek)
Current Kit
Canon 400D
28-135mm IS USM
50mm 1.8 mkII
17-55mm kit
3 batteries
4GB extreme II CF
some cheap tripod
any advice would be appreciated!
23.4.07
Interesting Links
Reading some blogs today and came across this link http://bookblog.net/gender/genie.php, apparently it uses an algorithm to determine what gender you are. interesting stuff! go test yourself.
22.4.07
Flats & Joint Accounts
I've jsut embarked on what I could say as a big step in maturing and growing up. I am now a proud 1/2 owner of a 2 bed flat in East Dulwich, well its not exchanged yet but its more or less set.
NOTE: this is not an invite to a house party
East Dulwich is a classic Victorian suburb situated six miles from central London. It is close to several parks and open spaces. Enid Blyton lived on Lordship Lane and Boris Karloff was born in Forest Hill Road. Current residents include TV stars such as Jo Brand and James Nesbitt plus actors from The Bill.
NOTE: this is not an invite to a house party
Joe - Aint Nothin Like Me
Just got my grubby hands on the new Joe album. Its been a while since ive heard a slow jam album this impressive. After being disappointed with other veterans recent contributions like Boyz II Men(The Remedy) and even Brian McKnight(Ten). Just my two cents :D
Track List
1. Get to Know Me - Joe, Nas
2. If I Was Your Man
3. If I Want Her
4. Where You At - Joe,
5. My Love
6. Go Hard
7. Ain't Nothin' Like Me - Joe,
8. It's Me
9. Let's Just Do It
10. Feel for You
11. Just Relax
12. Love Is Just a Game
13. You Should Know Me
14. Life of the Party
19.4.07
Online Shopping
Ive noticed how i actually never buy anything at the shops anymore everything is bought online jsut thought id let people know of my trusted online retailers i wont be directly linking to them so copy and paste
computer parts and accessories
www.dabs.com
www.scan.co.uk
www.crucial.com/uk/ (good place to buy ram free delivery)
www.mobymemory.com
they stock some good cheap and fast self branded memory cards, no CF cards tho here
www.dell.com
dont bother building a pc itl work out more expensive jsut buy from dell and upgrade that, their monitors a yummy too
camera equipment
www.7dayshop.com
for niggly bits, but theres a delivery charge tho
www.warehouseexpress.com
the site looks a bit amatuer but the forums are informative and the prices seems to be the best
i bought a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM from them, they had no stock on that lense but it arrived before my holiday
digitalrevon ebay
havent bought anything from them yet but ive heard good things. they are from HK but will pay for the import tax which is great!
update:i found the website www.digitalrev.com tempting!!
shoes
www.qubeshoes.co.uk
they used to have pretty good sales for mens too, i bought about 6 pairs of shoes/trainers in one go once. i say "used to" as i havent seen many good sale items from them recently. Fingers crossed! (i need some new shoes)
happy buying. its addictive tho!
computer parts and accessories
www.dabs.com
www.scan.co.uk
www.crucial.com/uk/ (good place to buy ram free delivery)
www.mobymemory.com
they stock some good cheap and fast self branded memory cards, no CF cards tho here
www.dell.com
dont bother building a pc itl work out more expensive jsut buy from dell and upgrade that, their monitors a yummy too
camera equipment
www.7dayshop.com
for niggly bits, but theres a delivery charge tho
www.warehouseexpress.com
the site looks a bit amatuer but the forums are informative and the prices seems to be the best
i bought a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM from them, they had no stock on that lense but it arrived before my holiday
digitalrev
havent bought anything from them yet but ive heard good things. they are from HK but will pay for the import tax which is great!
update:i found the website www.digitalrev.com tempting!!
shoes
www.qubeshoes.co.uk
they used to have pretty good sales for mens too, i bought about 6 pairs of shoes/trainers in one go once. i say "used to" as i havent seen many good sale items from them recently. Fingers crossed! (i need some new shoes)
happy buying. its addictive tho!
15.4.07
Gallery
Blog started in 2005 and i guess this is the first real post.
Ive since taken up a new hobby of photography. How am i getting on? check it out!
http://i.am/edmond/gallery
Ive since taken up a new hobby of photography. How am i getting on? check it out!
http://i.am/edmond/gallery
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