Pham Anh Koa and Friends on Stage
Some Much More Pham Anh Koa
Mike Stroud - Ratatat
I went to the Loreto Fest at RMIT on Saturday. It was nice – but a bit expensive.
I thought I would take some photos of bands, so I took the 50D and some lenses. The program got better as the evening went on – and yes, the best was last – I really enjoyed Ratatat’s set.
As a photographer there were a few problems. During the last but-one set, the electricians switched off most of the lights, leaving two blue spotlights for the stage (I cannot imagine any band would deliberately do that), with the result that photographs were very, very, difficult to take. My cammera wouldn’t focus quite a bit of the time. It was a hassle.
But I still amanged a few pictures I like.
Ratatat
A Self Portrait (although that sounds a little "Grand")
I’ve been thinking about how rarely I appear in photos. I’m always taking pictures of other people.
To my shame, pictures of me in family photographs fade out at about aged 8, because I went through a phase of pulling faces at the camera. So there is very little of me from then on. Which is a bit sad really.
I took this picture in front of my sofa in a flat on Ealing Common (I would have been about 34).I’m wondering if I’ve changed or not.
Was it supposed to be sharp or not? I don’t know.
Baby Seat
London, 2007
If memory serves me, this is an ex-postoffice (I want to write G.P.O. – but I won’t – makes me think of people who call the radio the “wireless”) bicycle – in Kensington – with a child’s bicycle seat on it.
It made me smile.
Just back from (yet another) trip to Singapore.
This time I was attending Bar Camp 4.
It is curious blend of formal and informal. It is quite structured in the sense that it is organised – time slots are assigned, rooms are alocated, a lunchtime was set and observed (more or less).
Sesions on the Wall
Preetam Speaking to Everyone
That was the main organiser – Preetam. He was very good. And very busy all day.
I attemded a few seminars. My favourites were: “How To Pose Like a Korean Filmstar” and “Design Thinking and True Love”. But I enjoyed all of them.
Although I am in person very shy, I made an effort to speak to people – and to be fair it felt like we were all making our best efforts to show IT people as sociable and friendly.
Jumbled Cube
I ran into a couple of Rubics Cube experts.
Getting there
Done!
You can’t see it here, but this guy was very fast, spinning the cube to solve it. He and his friend did a little presentation and talked about strategies for solving the cube – so I now I know what is involved – but still can’t do it.
And that was my Saturday!
6pm on a Wednesday Evening in District 1, HCMC
Today, I was in search of a VGA cable, so I headed in the “Computer Area” of District 1. I would love to deny any knowledge area, but in fact I know it rather too well. So I’m usually rather poor – but at least I knew where to get the cable.
As you can see from the photo, the traffic gets very heavy – in fact this is as bad as I have ever seen it. Mostly motorbikes, with the occasional taxi. The city is very much about two wheels, but private car ownership is on the increase – even since I arrived just over a year ago. The problem is, that even with motorbikes, the traffic can be literally “solid” (I’ve always wanted to do that bit from Crocodile Dundee – where he walks over the people – I’m too shy) – so I wonder what more cars will do.
And yes – that is a photocopier on the back of that bike!
Dragonfly in a Corridor
Today
I always try to carry a camera with me wherever I go. I’m not a great fan of pictures from my cellphone (a horrid RAZR – or whatever it is), so I have to carry a separate camera. I used to carry my G9, but it really is a bit too big and heavy. So I’m back to my Fuji F30, which is much smaller and lighter. Now I have a 50D, the G9 tends to fall between too many stools. It isn’t very small and its picture quality isn’t great (compared to a DSLR).
So I took this picture with the F30. Not much light. So not much depth of field. What’s improtant? For me the lacy wings. I know someone would say the eyes/head. You can have one or the other, but not both (unless you have a tripod, a patient insect and a DSLR). My thoughts anyway.
Catch Cheating Spouse
October 2009, Singapore
Just a quick picture. The detective with the deerstalker hat and magnifying glass is what makes it for me.
I suspect they seldom need a magnifying glass.
Any Ideas?
Super busy at the moment. Next weekend I’m supposed to be going to Bar Camp 4 in Singapore – and I want to have the time to myself. I wonder how that will work out!
I posted my Christmas cards at the post office. Then I sat in the park for a while, frowning at all the happy people. Repelled by their laughs and smiles, I decided to sit on my own (best company and all that). Anyway, so I sat until this little fella hopped past. Amazing camoflague. He was very small (may be 1 1/2″ long) and when he sat still – he just disappeared. I’m trying to work out what he is.
In District 8
I think I took this late last year. It was probably in the middle of a very hot Sunday afternoon. It was definitely in District 8 – which if you’ve read any of my other posts you’ll know I think of as my curiousity box. I tend to think of this as the “Real Vietnam” – the one which those poor fools on their buses miss (yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek). But it does tend to make me wonder about the whole concept of “sight seeing”. I know, in the end, you form your own view of these wonders of the world (be they the Great Pyramid of Cheops or even Tower Bridge – which definitely belongs on a curiousity box). Does travel broaden the mind? Or is it just about embracing the new – rather than becoming fixed and immoveable?
Anyway – I took this picture like I said – in District 8. I think the cockerels belonged to some boys. They took some care with the birds, cleaning them. I’m wondering if anything came next?
Tammisaari, Finland - 2003
“Oh God, its snowing!” said the SAS flight attendant as the plane descended in Vanta Airport, “I hate it when it is like this,” she continued. And in a way, she was right – it was freezing cold, in an unrelenting, bone-aching way. But this was Finland, where they know the cold is coming and are organised and prepared for it. So nothing was cancelled and all the transport was working.
A few days before I went to a local outdoor shop to pick up some cold weather kit. I told the assistant where I was going and her face fell – she didn’t have anything for “that cold”, she said. But then she laughed and said, “But I don’t suppose you are planning on going out much!” . And she was right – and she was wrong. In the evening, I was with my girlfriend, who was full of tales of puss and root canals (she was a dentist), but during the day I roamed the town, fishing for pictures. When I think back on it, I feel ashamed of the opportunites I missed – note to self – talk to people more – smile.
I think this is the coldest I’ve ever been. What you can see is the Baltic – which was – as it often is – frozen over. Photographed with a Rolleiflex MX which dates from about 1952 if memory serves me. On 400 ASA black and white film – probably Neopan (it works for me). And I’m pretty sure I was using a Gitzo Gilux tripod – I was a believer even then.
