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  • The French Moat

    Scanned from film, I caught this image when visiting France for the UK. Moats are a rare sighting on this side of the world, so it was always a novelty for me to see one. Found in many of the continents of the world, ones like this were possibly just as ornamental as anything, but they have/had been used for protection for about 4000 years going by findings archeology. When you look at the steep walls in this image its no surprise they could be very effective in defending from invaders.

    Taken on the Minolta Dynax 700si in 35mm, scanned and post edited in Gimp, I brought down the saturation and added a light sepia filter. Finally I upped the contrast a little. It looked fine from the negative really, but I quite like this slightly more ‘washed’ look.

  • Bees Eye View

    As short stroll with fading light and not much of interest perspective wise caused me to start looking smaller at the closeup/Macro options with the GRD the other day. With a breeze constantly waving through it was quite difficult to keep in focus so close up to the flowers. When I caught this image I liked the soft dreamy nature the image projected – perhaps this is a ‘Bees Eye View’ as they fly in!?

    Captured on the Ricoh GRD IV and resized in Gimp.

  • Eye of the City

    Heading over to the World Press photo exhibition today I came across this cool glass work in Downtown Auckland. I didn’t have time to locate the artist or description of the art work, but it reminded me of a massive glass eye. Thinking of the Transformers tv series, I cold imagine the whole building transforming into a robot and two giant glass eyes beaming out. Whatever it is, it was pretty cool! I desaturated the background and tapped up the saturation in Gimp. Snapped on the Sony Nex with the 2.8/16mm lens (24mm film equ)

    The World Press exhibition itself was great. So many amazing, sad and interesting images from all areas of the world. heres a link to check out about it.

  • Billboard Women

    Walking in town one night I came across a long term building site which is surrounded by a wooden fence. Whether it be paid or unpaid, it is covered head to toe in both art and some political statements. Dimly lit by street lights, I made my way around it killing some time as I waited for some friends. With the Ricoh set on 3200iso I capteured a number of images including these two womens faces. The reminded me of olden portraits with their subtle tones and expressions. I dont know who the artist was, but i’d love to see some more of their work – be it on a wall or elsewhere!

  • Penn an Wlas

    Penn an Wlas, better known as Land’s End in UK is my photo for today. Taken in film some years ago, I just got around to scanning it today. Just out of Cornwall, Land’s End is the western most point of the UK. I recall the beautiful scenery of the area, and the high walled jagged cliffs that dropped to the ocean.

    I like the noise from the film used and the almost painting like scene that the colours produce. Cropped in Gimp to remove some of the foreground and Sky, the photo was likely taken on my Minolta 700si.

    I received another 35mm camera in the post today, an old Russian Zorki 4. I think I will give it a CLA before sticking a film through it, but overall it seems to operate great for a model dated early 60’s. At some stage I will post up a ‘my gear’ page featuring both digital and film cameras I use or intend to use at some stage.