Bay Reflection Abstracts

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

Diptych #5 for the March Project. We went for a walk along the Embarcadero waterfront near AT&T park. It was a very warm and clear spring day yesterday.

Any ideas for April's project?

--Warren

Morning on the Magothy

We sold our house earlier this week and moved into a nicely-furnished basement apartment that we're renting from a very nice couple who live upstairs. That's where we'll be for the next six months or so as we wait for our townhouse to be built in a nearby "55-Plus" community (or as my brother-in-law Peter refers to it, "the Nursing Home."

Sandy found the rental, and I first saw it one evening late last month, so I had no idea that just across the street and down an incline was the Magothy River. I was out the door on my way to the car just after sunrise this morning, and having my ever-ready Canon S90 in my pocket, walked down to the water and snapped a few photos.

Sunset at Sutro Bath

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

Here is a picture series from a recent sunset walk at the old Sutro Bath ruins. It is now just a large hole where the structure used to be, but it harbors endless photo opportunities. It always looks different every time we go there. I'm still exploring the capabilities of my Panny G1. The black & white pictures in this series were taken with the camera's b&w film mode.

I would love to hear which pictures were your favorites, and I welcome comments, and/or discussion about any or all of them.

--Warren

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Shooting the Moon

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

The Peace Pagoda pointing at the moon :).

--Warren

Seats at the Park

D70 / 35mm

While out one day, I saw these three little seats at a childrens playground.  It get a different perspective, I climbed up on the jungle gym, first time in decades, and shot down on the three little stools.  I changed it to B/W to accent the contrast.

**Dolph

Another Predator Bird

D200 / 300mm
Having water in your backyard gives you the chance to have some interesting characters come and visit.  The fish were eating the grass clippings and this guy was having the fish.  It was entertaining to watch the event.

**Dolph

Rusty Liberty Ship

Waiting for the Ferry and this old WWII Liberty ship was being towed backwards under the Bay Bridge. This is a 60+ year old rusty ship with many stories hidden in her cargo holds.

Dan

Birthday Girl Diptych

What is a girl to do when you are waiting for your cake?

Bird of Prey

Riding my bike in the Presidio and came upon this Hawk (Coopers ?) walking on the grass without a care in the world.

Dan

Chinatown Images

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

My 4th diptych for the March Project.

--Warren

Grant Ave. - Street Fair

Pentax Program-A, Takumar 50mm f1.4

This was taken last month (Feb.), a couple of weeks after those pictures that I posted of the Flower Fair. I shot those with my Nikon F3HP.

This time, I was out to shoot a final roll through my Pentax Program-A to make sure that all is well before selling it.

The street fair in this picture is for Chinese New Year. I wanted to show the hoards of people on Grant Avenue so I held the camera over my head and guessed at the proper angle to shoot the picture.

Boca Shuffle

D200 / 12-24mm
I went down to the beach this morning, finally after 2 months of ugly weather for Florida, and found this guy doing the Boca Shuffle.  Up and down this beach sidewalk you find all the old, and wealthy, people out for the morning walk.  This was shot using the hanging camera in hand while walking and hoping you get something.  I think he was checking out the 60+ year old babes that had just walked by.  His pace picked up just as I was passing him.  He would have made the perfect shot for the project if he had on black sox.

**Dolph

Her Serious Face

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

This is Chloe, my friend Ray's daughter. I wanted to shoot without flash so I asked her to hold "very, very still". Ray tells me that this is her 'serious face' because she was trying to hold still for me.

This was really pushing the limits of practicality, my ability to hold the camera still, the camera's image stabilization and high ISO quality. I think it turned out pretty nice anyway :).

It was taken at 1/6 sec, f5.4, ISO 800.

I converted it to B&W because I prefer the B&W look for her expression. I think the slight high-ISO digital noise is almost film-like.

--Warren

A climb to the Sky

D 70 / 35mm

I've been shooting, but haven't had the time in the evening to upload.   I was driving by this park in the middle of the day and saw these light towers that went up at least 50 feet.  Looking up from the base of the tower it was like climbing into the sky.

**Dolph

Chillin'

Last October, I took Mom down to Atlanta to visit my Cousins Brian and Lisa and their new baby Max. They live close to the Atlanta zoo, always worth a visit.

While at the zoo, I snapped this photo of one of my other young cousins, chillin' in a hammock.

Corrina Hein Triptych

At the bike expo in Seattle last weekend, I was lucky enough to see the artistic cyclists from Germany. Thought I'd try a triptych of Corrina Hein to give an impression of motion, and her strength and ability on the bike! The stage was not that big but she managed to do a lot of amazing things by riding in circles.

I used my phone for the shots actually, as I hadn't brought anything better. Following her movement I was able to get a few "less blurry" ones! But I actually still like some blur, somehow, for some reason. And then decided I liked how it looked in black and white so I made the change in iPhoto.

Observer and Observed

Nikon D100

This is my third diptych for the March Project. Both subjects seen on the same day, at Whaler's Cove in Pt. Lobos, Carmel.

--Warren

Footwear

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

Here's my 2nd diptych for this month's project.

--Warren

Railing Abstract

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

This is color, but the scene was monochromatic :).

--Warren

A Few Macro Test Shots from G1

Panasonic G1, Lumix 14-45mm

Here are a few close-ups taken with the G1, taken while getting to know the camera. The viewfinder image in the EVF is LARGER than the image in my Nikon D100's OVF (!). Nice.

The extremely compact 14-45mm kit lens has built in image stabilization, and is a great performing lens.

--Warren

Does anyone recognize this dusty toy?

I always like the look of a backlit leaf:

What is the name of this plant?

Dutch Windmill - Golden Gate Park

Panasonic DMC-G1, Lumix 14-45mm

This is the Dutch Windmill in the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden in Golden Gate Park. The original image was color. I converted to B&W in PS.

I am just starting to get used to my new camera. This shot is from my first outing with it. It's a Panasonic DMC-G1. You can read one of many reviews of the camera on this web page (linked here). The camera and lens pictured in the review are identical to mine. The G1 is the world's first Micro 4/3 camera. The 4/3 format is a joint venture by Olympus and Panasonic (Panasonic is in partnership with Leica for their optical designs).

There are many reasons, features, and advantages that factored into my choice of this format and system. That information would be too much to post here, and if you want to get the full story, it might be better done in person or over the phone. :)

I put a lot of thought and research into my decision, and I hope this format survives for a while. Over the next few posts from this camera, maybe I'll note some of the special or notable features of this camera. As you probably know, I recently tested out both Dan's Canon S90 and Dennis F.'s Canon G11, but in the end, I decided to go with the Panny G1 instead.

--Warren

Kauai Scenery

Genie and I were able to get away on a small trip to Hawaii, and so we went to the the island of Kauai. If you like outdoor activities and you want to get away to a quiet place, this is it. Kauai is small, has beautiful beaches and mountains, and is very laid back (shaka brah). Also has ono grinds (good food). The pix here are Opaeka'a Falls and some taro fields fields outside the town of Princeville (think rich). I find the taro fields very peaceful. Reminded me of going to the villages in China for the first time in 1990.

Guitar Diptych

My first diptych! Woot. I really never heard of this before the project idea.. did some internet searching to get a clue (and coyly awaited to see what was put up here too)... Decided I'd try contrasting perspectives of an object.

I think the diptych is a powerful technique. Seemingly simple, but so tricky to do right, right? I think I need more attempts, and try this project idea again this month and explore some more ways to use it.

Helpful Stranger

Pentax Program-A, Takumar 50mm f1.4

This is a true hip-shot. I was walking down the street, and saw a nice guy help this old man tune his guitar. I had just a split second to manually guess focus, then bring the camera to my hip and aim by instinct. I wasn't sure if I got the shot until I processed the film. The camera was on Aperture priority mode, so I didn't have to guess exposure as well.

By the time I walked next to them and snapped the shutter, he had already finished, handed the guitar back, and was about to stand up, so the picture appears a bit mysterious as to what they're actually doing.

I'm just glad I got both of them in frame, but I'm not sure if the pictures "works". :)

--Warren

The Boat that Wouldn't Float

The tide was out and this little girl was anxious for her boat to float

Calm Ocean

The Ocean at the Audubon Bird Observatory near Bolinas was unusually calm this evening. Canon 5d 24mm f3.5

Rising and Setting Diptych

For this diptych, I was literally pivoting 180 degrees in the same location to capture both images. Shot with Canon 5D 300mm f4.

Dan

Three Uses for a Lawn

Canon S90

There were only two in this Yerba Buena Gardens scene originally, then the woman in the foreground walked up and plopped herself down for a nap right in front of me.

--Warren

March Diptych

Well Warren produced beauty in his Diptych post and I attempted some irony.

Dan

Waiting for the Spring Blossoms

Canon S90

Seen at Yerba Buena Gardens last weekend.

--Warren

Sketch Artists

Canon S90

For the March Project: Diptych or Triptych, these were taken at Davies Symphony Hall during the pre-concert festivities. It was a special Chinese New Year performance.

--Warren

Vancouver - Gold Hockey Game STREET PARTY

Went up with some friends to see the streets of Vancouver either celebrate a history-making gold medal victory, or tear down the city in loss. Either way it was to be a good time.

The streets were crazy and packed and loud and fun, it was fabulous. These are some of my favs. Captures some of the Canadian joy.. :)