busy day at work

A busy day at work so I've posted one of my holiday snaps from Thailand. Enjoy!

Lazing on a Sunday afternoon

What a miserable day! The plan had been to take the new lens out and take some stunning photos with it, but it looked like it might rain, and I was scared of getting any water on it, a common problem with lenses shaped like that. So I ended up taking a couple of shots of the lens on my main camera.

Probably the best photo in the world

Ok, I'm not boasting - you've got to know the Carlsberg branding to get the title.
Taken with the absolutely stunning EF14mmf2.8L, in the Bulldog Bar in Lang Kwai Fong. What I love about this lens, is the three dimensional feel that you get with photos - look at the brand name on the glass; doesn't it stand out?
Having just shelled out all that money for this lens, I needed a beer. So, I walked up the hill to my local bar. I just had to get the lens out and try it.

I've got a new toy

Yes, that's right I have splashed out on a new piece of glass. A very expensive piece of glass, but I think it is wirth it - it's absoluely amazing! I am just uploading some pictures at the moment, so you will have to wait until you see what it can do.

This is it...

In the mean time this is another photeo I took today - not with the new lens. I had planned to go over to Nai Lin Garden, but forgot to put my octopuscard in my pocket so I was stuck on the Island. This was taken in the Taichi garden in Hong Kong Park, although its a little grey, I do like the repetitions and patterns in it. If any of you grew up in the UK and used to watch Playschool, it might strike a chord with you.

Carrying on the Thailand theme

Well, the Italians decided not to use my photograph. I am not too disappointed, in fact I couldn't give a flying fudge, as they weren't going to give me any money for them, anyway.
Continuing the Thailand theme, this lady serves in a bar in Soi Eric off Bangla Road. This is a horrible place to take photos as there is far too much red neon lights around, which really screws up any chance of getting any true colours.
I liked this photo because of the shallow depth of field. If you click to see the large version of this photo, you will notice that her braids closest to the camera are in focus but the ones behind are nicely blurred. There is someone sat at the bar on the left hand side of the photo, but because he is so out of focus, he just blurs into the back gorund.

Well its Friday, today so I thought as, a bonus, you could have a second photograph. The weather was so nice yesterday, I was glad I had taken my camera to work; during my luch break I went out and took some photos. Here's one of them:-

This should be instantly recognisable to those of you from Hong Kong, and it shows what a lovely day it was. I just hope it stays like this for the weekend.

Fame at last!

Well it seems that one of my photos is going to appear in an Italian newspaper "la Reubblica". They are not paying me for it, it is a clear breach of copyright, and all that, but I don't care- its nice to see one's work in the public limelight.
As soon as I find it on their website I will post the link.
The photograph they will be using is the one above. I just hope the girl doesn't have any Italian boyfriends, who read the paper, or I could be in big trouble the next time I return to the Kangaroo Bar.

Back to Thailand

I was given a gentle reminder last evening that I should post more of my Thailand pictures. Although, I don't like being dictated to on what pictures I post; in this case I happen to agree. So here's another couple of girls from the Kangaroo Bar on Bangla Road.
Enjoy!

Corporate branding to the extreme

One of the fire escapes in the HSBC building in Hong Kong. Is it corporate branding gone wild, when you arrange the lighting to reflect corporate colours. I hope, and I am sure, that in the event of a fire alarm the lights would all turn white. Although I used a cable release, I am disappointed to see the camera move - there was a bit of wind that evening. Oh yes, I took this from my balcony, which is a fair distance to the bank!

iMac camera

In my monitor there is a small camera, and in the program "Photo booth" there is an effect called Comic Book, that I quite like.
I took this shot on Sunday morning. The girl is Annie, who stayed over Saturday night. You can't tell she is topless, can you?

Cat Street

Although, I did go out and take some shots yesterday, I was fairly uninspired by the afternoon. There are normally some interesting shots to be had in Cat Street, This is one of them, a collection of Chinese figurines, depicting various Mao era people. Its best seen in the original size, by clicking on the picture.

Lotus

I took this photo last year, at Chi Lin nunnery. I like the bright, vivid colours and the water droplets on the leaves. Its not a brilliantly composed picture, but I find it attractive.

Back in Hong Kong

I am pleased to be back in Hong Kong. Although I took my camera to Jakarta, I was too busy and too uninspired to take any photos. So too celebrate my return I have posted a photo from one of my favourite spots in Hong Kong, the Nan Lian Garden.

Why I like black and white

Here is another photo from Phuket. The Thais love to have their photos taken, but they do expect the full colour picture. This lady's picture in colour would not have done her any favours, she was wearing a lot of make up and in the harsh sunshine it would have emphasised all her blemishes - by shooting in B&W it gives the skin a more natural feel and is more complimentary to her.

Just before I go

Whilst I am away travelling, I thought I would leave you with another photo from Thailand.

This is Mem, Peanut's sister. We were mucking around in the gold shop, trying on jewelry. No, I didn't buy Mem any gold.

Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park usually offers some good oportunities for photographs. I went there on Saturday, and I wasn't disappointed.

Here, in Hong Kong, it is common to take the wedding photos a couple of weeks before the wedding; that way they can be ready for blow ups to be on display at the reception. I caught this couple near the waterfall. It was a long shot, taken with a telephoto lens.

There's usually some photo shoot going on in Hong Kong Park. Here Little Bo Peep is having a touch of make up for her photograph. Again the telephoto lens allowed me capture her at some distance.

The crowd goes wild

Officially, in Thailand gambling is only allowed at Thai boxing stadiums. Like a lot of Asians, the Thais like a flutter, and this can lead to some very animated scenes at the boxing stadiums. Not a great phot, but it catches some of the excitement of the crowd, and some very bored looking people as well!

Same girl, different piccie

Another colourful picture of the same girl. I never found out why she always wore a hat!

Waiting for the toilet

In a very busy bar on Bangla Road, there is only one toilet. I snapped this girl while she was waiting her turn. I thought it was a good candid shot. I printed this photo, and gave it to the firl the next evening, and in return she bought me a beer. Great way to earn a commission.

Paddling in the sea at sunset

I loved the colours at sunset reflected in the sea, strolling on the beach. I was lucky to catch the people paddling and the long tail boat heading home for the night.

Jet Ski Beach Boy

This guy rents out jet skis in Patong. Although the blues and purples are a little distracting, I like the candidness of this shot.

Smiling Orphan

This orphan stays at the Wat in Patong, near the beach. He is a cheerful, friendly soul. I just wish I had taken his photo after giving him 5 baht, as his grin was even wider.

Happy Man

Taken whilst on holiday, I like the contrasts here of old, western male and young, oriental female. I also have a thing about photogaphing bald heads!