Author: rainbow

20 April 2019

I have always enjoyed visiting the Tai O fishing village on Lantau Island.

In the old days it was only accessible by ferry but with the new Airport we can take the bus there as well.

The main business of Tai O now is catering for weekend visitors and selling dried fish. The village has so much character and I always wanted to stay there overnight to capture the Sunrise and Sunset. Most times in the past we had to rush to get the ferry home.

I discovered on Booking .com a B&B place called Espace Elastique . The host Veronica was very helpful and served a wonderful european breakfast. She was born on Hong Kong Island but her ancestry is closely tied to Tai O. She also spent  alot of her life in Finland. I do recommend people stay there to experience the island life and enjoy a lovely stay.

Anyway she lamented how difficult it was to run a business as there were few younger people around and her present helper was approcaching retirement age.

Indeed walking around the island all I saw was the shopkeepers, old people and their domestic help. This was an island of old people. Hopefully my B&W image reflects the demographics.

I think the HK Govt needs to have plans to rejuvenate the island as it is such an asset to the history and the tourism sector. Veronica isn’t  holding out much hope…..

1.    18 Jan 2019    G9    iso400    23mm    f3.6  1/60sec

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20.April 2019

I don’t usually go for those “ärtistic” blurry shots especialy the zooming in or out shots.

I prefer sharpness. I didn’t spend all that money on expensive lenses to get unsharp shots. And I don’t have any soft focus filters in my kit as well.

But sometimes blur can be used to express motion or time as you can see in my present photos.

Those eagle eyed photo equipment people may have noticed I’m using a new camera now and a different sensor system. The smaller sensor size (micro 4/3rds) is now my default camera system which I take with me everywhere. Previous to that it was the 1 inch sensor (Canon G5X) which I have used in previous blogs (2 May 2016).

The  Panasonic G9 is a very competent camera  considering the sensor limitations compared to a full frame camera.

 At times I consider the G9 my  mini Nikon D3 for its high speed capabilities and construction.

It also has dual stabilisers, one in the lens and one in the body. This enables me to hand hold the camera  for a time considered impossible without a tripod. I can produce a sharp shot at only a half second exposure ! Previously my handholding shots were around 1/60sec as I suffer camera shake (don’t tell my patients!). So in a busy Mong Kok street with no time to set up a tripod (I didn’t have one anyway) I managed to capture motion but keep the main subject sharp-using technology to increase artistic expression.

1.    Kyoto  It was in a very dark suburban street. Note aperture and shutter speed.

1 Jan 2019   G9    iso1600    15mm    f1.7    1/6sec    Leica DG 15mm f1.7

2. Mong Kok

6 Jan 2019    G9    iso200    12mm    f11  0.6 sec

3.    14 Jan 2019    G9    iso200    12mm    f22    0.6sec

4.    Shanghai St

16 Jan 2019    G9    iso200    19mm    f7.1    1/5sec

5. Cross Harbour Tunnel Hong Kong

16 Jan 2019    iso200    60mm    f22    1.3sec  

20 November 2018

The first photo in my view has little photographic merit compared to others chosen for the website. I could be criticized for having the pole going through the man’s head. And the lighting itself is pleasant late afternoon sun but nothing dramatic- photography is all about light….

So why is it here and at the number one slot.

Well,  because its my website and  I can do anything I like! But actually I like the shot. There is something symbolic to me that represents my feeling about the country and the people.

Myanmar is a beautiful country. The people are amongst the friendliness I have met and also very genuine. Right now it is still not very commercialised compared to other asian countries but it is changing rapidly. That is why I am planning to return in 2019. Yes there is a problem with the present Government, lack of democracy  and the treatment of the Rohingya people. But the people we met were just trying to make a living with no say on the  countrys future, let alone their own future. What I did observe in the areas I visited was the enormous respect people have for one another. There is this politeness and kindness to strangers. This is partly because the Burmese strongly believe in karma. Treat others well and good will come to you.

This is why the first photo appeals to me. It has a symbolic meaning to what I want for the people. Standing tall, all in the same boat and hope is shining through.

I’m finishing off my Burmese Blog with lots of smiles as that is my final impression of the lovely people we have met. Jay zu and thwa`me naw  (thankyou and goodbye).

1.    19 April 2018    Nikon D3s    iso200    52mm    f13    1/180sec    Nikon 24-70mm f2.8

2.    19 April    Nikon D750    iso5000    140mm    f8    1/125sec

3.    19 April    Nikon D3s    iso800    26mm    f4.0    1/125sec

4.    19 April    Nikon D3s    iso6400    24mm    f4.0    1/60sec    Nikon 24-70mmf2.8

5.    Nikon D3s    iso6400    35mm    f4.0    1/60sec

6.    Nikon D3s    iso6400    70mm    f4.0    1/60sec    Nikon 24-70mmf2.8

7.    Nikon D3s    iso6400    62mm    f4.0    1/90sec

8.    Nikon D3s    iso6400    32mm    f4.0    1/60sec

9.   19 April    Nikon D750    iso1250    190mm    f4.0    1/125sec

10.    23 April    Nikon D750    iso2200    160mm    f8.0    1/200sec

11.    23 April    Nikon D750    iso2500    116mm    f8.0    1/200sec

12.    21 April    Nikon D750    iso800    160mm    f5.6    1/125sec

13.    26 April    Nikon D750    iso6400    200mm    f5.6    1/200sec

14.    27 April    Nikon D750    iso3200    175mm    f7.1    1/160sec

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16.    21 April    Nikon D750    iso 1000    92mm    f8.0    1/250

17.    17 April    Nikon D3s    iso1600    70mm    f8.0    1/180sec    Nikon 70-200mm f4

18.    Nikon D3s    iso800    62mm    f5.6    1/125sec