Click, delete, click, delete

Monday, May 7, 2007 ~ 8 comments so far

Photography can be a bit of a black art, but then anyone who has picked up any camera that is more than a point-and-shoot will know that. Aperture this, exposure that, bracketing, f numbers, focal distances and on and on and on with the terminology.

Of course that’s the same with any technology, I know, so I guess what I’m really saying is that I’ve yet to experience that lightbulb moment, that mental switch where everything goes from being “Maybe if I … ” to “I know this’ll look better if …”.

I guess this is what makes a hobby, a hobby. Specialist knowledge. Right?

As I’m constantly trying to improve my knowledge, and hone my, ahem, art, I generally spend some time analysing the photos I have taken, trying to figure out how they could be improved. I’m not a huge fan of heavy post-processing, so pretty much what you see is what you get.

One thing I’ve always been fairly happy with is my ability to frame things, to pick out an interesting angle or viewpoint. But even that has been failing me recently.

For example, our wander around Glasgow Botanic Gardens offered plenty of opportunity for ‘interesting’ photos. The main greenhouse in particular, cries out for attention and, of the many photos I took only two really stand out, this one and this one.

But just viewing them tells me that there are other photo opportunities that I missed.

Now, I know that this will always be the case, and that that is nothing new but it’s still a little annoying. With all the mumbo-jumbo that surrounds photography, and my increasing frustration at the slow rate at which I’m picking it up (I’m usually a fast learner), the fact that the one ‘skill’ I thought I had seems to be deserting me too… well it’s a little annoying. But I’ve said that already.

One of the two photos contains the ‘missed opportunity’. Can you spot which one? And can you spot what the ‘missed opportunity’ was?

Just curious. In case it’s, you know, just me.

Glasgow MOMA

Tuesday, January 9, 2007 ~ 7 comments so far

Is this art?

We had a brief discussion, on this very topic, with my family at the weekend. What is art? Does it have to be something that, obviously, has taken some skill to put together? Or can any old ‘installation’ be classed as art? Does the content of the ‘object’ actually matter, or is the art purely in the implication and your reaction to what is presented before you.

Is it the un-made bed or the fact that it’s being presented as art, that makes it ‘art’. Can something be considered ‘artful’ if all it’s really doing is making you think? Doesn’t there have to be an impression, a respect, an understanding that it took someone of skill, knowledge, and inspiration to produce what you are viewing?

I recall a visit to the Tate Modern to see Marsyas and being impressed with this huge piece of art. Looking back I now wonder if it wasn’t simply the size of the installation itself, swooping away up to the ceiling, that impressed, more than the basic fundamentals (colour, shape etc).

Of course, all art is subjective, and I guess everyone know what THEY like.

(yes, I’m going to be posting photos here more often I think.. maybe.. grand plans and all that..)

Dinner in Tarbet

Monday, August 21, 2006 ~ Comments Off

Not a bad day for a wee pootle up the Loch…

Bookcase, bookcase on the wall

Wednesday, April 19, 2006 ~ Comments Off

Via pixeldiva. A meme.

What do my bookshelves say about me?
(more…)

That’s Gross man

Tuesday, November 22, 2005 ~ Comments Off

Blimey, is it Tuesday already?

I received an email from Clare last week asking if I’d take part in a little game of hers. Sure thing, I said (always too quick to say yes and too nice to say no… it’s an affliction). I was glad when she only asked me to provide two photos. Phew.

Imagine my surprise when it turns out she managed to convince thirteen other nutte.. bloggers to do the same, meaning that you all get the chance to match the thirteen bloggers to the thirteen sets of pictures. Simple enough? Ha! I’ve seen the photos, simple this ain’t.

Anyway, scurry over to Clare’s site and proffer your suggestions, I’m intrigued to see if anyone gets mine (there is a clue in one of my photos though).

Stay still

Monday, August 8, 2005 ~ Comments Off

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this (please God, there must be others like me!) but I do enjoy a visit to our local craft /stationery shop. It has all sorts of lovely things in it, and Louise spends a fair chunk of time and money buying stuff for her homemade cards. I get to wander round the store admiring the art department stuff, the models, the ornaments and various “craft” bric-a-brac, but for some reason I’m always drawn to the pen and pencils. They have one wall covered in all sorts of different pens, biros, fountain pens, felt tips, markers, and even those four colour biros where you can choose to write in green, red, blue and black! Ahhh memories indeed. I even spotted a set of Berol colour felt tips that I used to own as a child (the pens are all in turquoise casing with the colours displayed on the end).

Yes I could spend hours there, browsing the pens and pencils on offer, scribbling on the test pads, lost in my own little world of ink and graphite.

It’s just me, isn’t it.

Anyway, snapped this colourful shot on my phone and I quite like it.

Photos

Monday, July 25, 2005 ~ Comments Off

Got my camera back at the weekend, and posted some photos from the holiday. This one is my favourite:

See them all (30).

Which reminds me, I was going to post my thoughts about Paignton Zoo and zoos in general. Must type that up..