Urban motorcycles

I am not a big fan of urban riding with all the stop-go traffic and congestion. But admittedly there are some spots in the city that lend themselves as a backdrop for interesting images.

 

Yamaha XSR700. M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8

Honda CB650R.  Zonlai Discover 25mm f1.8

Yamaha XSR700. Kodak Cine 102mm f2.7

Yamaha XSR700.  Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  (C-mount)

Yamaha XSR700. M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8

Yamaha XSR700.  Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  (C-mount)

Benji. Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  (C-mount)

Social isolation

I saw this image of original artwork from a gallery: some found it funny but it actually made me sad.

On a recent Sunday, a beautiful sunny day, I walked around my city's urban park; it was crowded with families and (real, not virtual) friends, some were in groups.

But there was a disturbing trend: I rarely saw direct interaction...

adapted Cosmicar 50mm f1.4   1/160sec

Are we too driven by social media to actually be social?

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Pokemon hunting

With a condescending thought I laughed at these guys running around the city "hunting" for the imaginary Pokémon (mobile phone game).
Then I paused and reflected: and how am I different?
The basic principle it's the same, the medium different and results possibly more "tangible" (kind of). However I see similarities: we are both satisfying an ancient need to hunt.


adapted lens from Pentax-110 70mm f2.8  1/500sec

EDIT 19OCT16: ....and apparently now gone 
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French girls

There was a hearty feeling in the air at the French festival; a mild winter day with crisp skies seemed to make people happy.
I noticed that many girls there had a bit of a different look; less pompous, sultry or dismissive. I liked the atmosphere of the place.


Kodak Cine Ektanon 102mm f2.7  1/800sec



Kodak Cine Ektanon 102mm f2.7   1/1600sec




Cosmicar 50mm f1.4  1/4000sec

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Re-porpoused cine lenses

My modern native auto-focus lenses are safely tucked away in my "special case" while my vintage adapted glass is constantly fiddled with and taken out for image gathering. I manly consider using the modern marvel on my extended trips to foreign places where I concentrate on recording more than creating images. At home I always grab my vintage lenses and recently discovered two gems from the 50's: lenses from Kodak intended for Cine 16mm film cameras.

I love the look that the Ektar 25mm has given me so far and wanted to try the longer focal lengths: the 63mm, and by chance I also discovered the 102mm
The image circle on those lenses was not intended to cover a sensor as large as the Micro 4/3 and the distortions are way more noticeable on the edges then they ever were on the smaller format of the film. And that is exactly what I am looking for: distortion and quirkiness that my Olympus M.Zuiko lenses can't give me.


Kodak Cine Anastigmat 63mm f2.7  1/500sec

The edges are often darker (vignette) and the bokeh can have a hint of swirl; all traits that I desire for moody and unusual look that I want to create in my images with feel.
I have shifted from methodical and accurate recording of buildings (my previous professional work) to a more arty direction in my images. The real goal for me is to evoke or depict emotions, through images. Even with static natural subjects I seek to capture a sense of nostalgia, dream or fantasy. Blurry and funky bokeh is all part of the composition where a sharp edge-to-edge image might not convey that feeling.


Kodak Cine Anastigmat 63mm f2.7  1/800sec

And then there is the part of manual focusing a lens that is a bit hard to handle, with small focus rings and tiny grip for the aperture control. Frustrating and fist and leading to missed opportunities but great for building skills and prediction of events.


Kodak Cine Ektanon 102mm f2.7  1/500sec

I notice that I am willing to observe a scene for much longer and pre-focus on the area where the subject might appear instead of just lift my camera, point and shoot leaving the focusing to the microchip evaluation. The results are often different; images taken while manual focusing tend to show, how to say it, more passion?

 
Kodak Cine Ektanon 102mm f2.7   1/400sec


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Lost lives

I don't like war memorials as they only remind me of the lives that were lost fighting for a cause that was never truly disclosed.
Visiting one just recently I was confirmed of the absurdity.


Adapted 16mm film projection lens Bell&Howell 2" f1.6   1/640sec




Adapted reverse optics from a vintage Canon 110ED: 26mm f2.0   1/160sec

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Caution

Gearing up for the ride; a few thrilling moments after university lectures all day. Freedom is two wheels.


Sigma 60mm f2.8 DN 1/160sec

Crossing the bridge

Crossing the bridge that connects the city to the open space.



M.Zuiko 40-150R  f5.6  1/250sec

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Shadow running

Late afternoon, along the river, it's his way to keep fit.


Argus Cintagon 35mm f4.5  @f8   1/200sec

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Curves

On their way to a workout outdoors, after a day of work at the desk.


Kodak cine lens Ektar 25mm f1.9   1/250sec

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Granite spires

Granite spires of the high country in the Australian Snowy Mountains.


G-Lumix 14mm f5.6  1/500sec

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Rocky creek

There was an early summer heat wave and temperatures were exceeding comfortable levels for bushwalking.
We hiked-in at night to avoid the blazing sun and the effort was rewarded: the creek was flowing with clear water, inviting.


Lumix-G 14mm  f11 1/8sec
We spent the weekend swimming and relaxing in the shade of the trees.
The only access to the creek is by a couple of hours walk and that keeps it pristine: we had the place for ourselves.

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Coastal monochrome

The sweeping vista from a high sea cliff.


M.Zuiko 9-18mm  f11  1/60sec

At the water's edge.


M.Zuiko 9-18mm   f8  1/2000sec

Beach puddle

Every tide shapes the beach with new sand waves, renewing the shore to a new texture.


PEN-F Zuiko 38mm f1.8  @f5.6  1/15 sec

Old scars

Bearing the scars of a life subjected to beauty.


Meyer Optik Trioplan 50mm F2.9 @f8  1/90sec

Born not to grow free its body shaped to please, now paying the toll.
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Big boulders

Dwarfed by the sheer size of the boulders the tree looks like a bonsai.

Running free

Oh boy, the fun dogs have at the beach...


Meyer Optik Trioplan 50mm f2.9 @f8  1/1000sec

Old yards

It has been a while since this fence has seen cattle. Now only kangaroos roam the paddocks since the land has returned to no longer be grazed by domestic animals.


SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 (@f2.8?) 1/1000sec


SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4  1/3000sec

Exposed cliffs

In touch with nature on the smooth cliffs of Northern Åland.


M.Zuiko 40-150mm  f6.3  1/1000sec

The polished granite

Initially by glacier, then by waves of winter storms, the granite polished to an almost sensual level of smoothness.


M.Zuiko 14-42mm EZ   f5.6  1/400sec