Sweetgum leaves

 

Skeleton tree

First (and only) model photoshoot attended

A few years ago, our small and short-lived photography group held our first and only photoshoot with a model. A member who knows a professional photographer had arranged for this event for a small fee. It consisted of two parts - an outside photoshoot and an introduction to software editing.

The outside photoshoot was held in Bretton Park. During the photoshoot we were taught about poses and how to direct a model during a photoshoot. The model our trainer brought along was very professional and very patient with us. In the second part, which was held in a member's house we were taught on portrait editing using a leading software. I did not stay long although I wrote some notes as I was intent on doing it using GIMP software.

And for this blogpost, I decided to do very minimal editing on Snapseed e.g. crop and auto image tuning only and then lower the resolution on Pixlr for this blogpost. I wanted to showcase the colours you can get from the legacy Minolta lens I used on all portraits during this photoshoot.

We had great fun in this photoshoot but portrait photography is not one of my interests. However, the lessons learned from that activity proved helpful to me during parties where I took photos of friends and family.

All photos were taken with a micro four thirds camera (two earliest versions of https://amzn.to/2kSIQc4) attached with a legacy Minolta manual portrait lens (for most shots) and a few shots from a standard kit lens (earliest version of https://amzn.to/2nyhf0M).

Central London day trip

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Reposted (with minor edits) from pinoyborian photography blog; published on 19 January 2014

Early December 2013, I went down to London to process some documents at the Philippine embassy. I brought along my camera Olympus Pen E-PL2 (https://amzn.to/2wCuyPk) with Olympus mZuiko 17mm f2.8 (https://amzn.to/2PxjwC4) as I plan to do a photowalk if I finished early.

By mid-afternoon I was finished with my purpose at the embassy. I knew the office was located near Trafalgar Square so I went looking for it. It was just a couple of minutes walk away.

It was not a good day for photos as it was cold and the sky was grey. But, I was already there.

London day trip: Camley Street Natural Park, Canal trip and King's Cross concourse

Main | Camley Street Natural Park | Canal trip | King's Cross concourse

Five years ago, I had an unusual tour experience in London. I have toured the capital a few times before with my family where we went to the usual top attractions the city offers. What made it different this time is I went to two oases of peace of tranquility, Camley Street Natural Park and Little Venice, where I took a canal trip with work colleagues towards Camden Lock.

London King's Cross concourse

Main | Camley Street Natural Park | Canal trip | King's Cross concourse



 

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After an eventful day in Camley Street Natural Park and then hopping onto a narrowboat on a trip from Little Venice to Camden Lock, I headed to King's Cross railway station for a train back to Peterborough. Unfortunately, I missed out on an earlier train, which left me with some time to wander around the station.

Earlier that morning, I was very surprised to see the station had a major renovation due to the previous year's London 2012 Olympics. I must have read about it but since I have not been to King's Cross for some time I forgot. What struck me on my arrival was the huge white structure that appeared to support the roof of the building I was in. I did not remember seeing that previously.

London canal trip from Little Venice to Camden Lock

Main | Camley Street Natural Park | Canal trip | King's Cross concourse

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Camley Street Natural Park to Little Venice - from one oasis of peace and tranquillity to another off we went for our team building exercise after finishing the morning's meeting.

But first, we had to get lunch out of the way at a nearby restaurant. Then we headed to Jason's Wharf to wait for the narrowboat. Jason, an authentic century-plus-old canal boat originally used as a cargo vessel before it was converted to a passenger vessel for tourists. The trip with Jason is a 45-minute ride one way with side commentary, which I must admit was not listening to intently as I was busy taking in the interesting views and taking photos of them.

Camley Street Natural Park in London

Main | Camley Street Natural Park | Canal trip | King's Cross concourse

 



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Camley Street Natural Park is a hidden gem not far from London King's Cross rail station.

If you are typical London tourist like me, you probably have not heard of this hidden natural sanctuary. I have used London King's Cross many times for work and leisure and have not come across this nature reserve. I work in a team that is geographically diverse and we try to meet in person at least once a year. So, in 2013 it was in London and more specifically, Camley Street Natural Park for business, which is followed by a quick canal trip from Little Venice to Camden Lock for team-building.