Going Up

GRD II, f3.5, 1/540, ISO 100, JPG text

I think the Text mode in Ricoh cameras is pretty unique and very cool but not utilized enough. Maybe it is because people don't quite know what to do with it. It is not an easy mode to use for general photography so I will try to post some pictures taken with it and see what works and what doesn't. Then maybe have a whole Text mode week soon.

Talking Past Each Other

GRD II, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 80, RAW

Today, Ricoh has announced the GRD III. It has some pretty impressive specs and makes a great camera for street photography. The main standout features are the fast f1.9 lens, the user configurable Snap focus, the full-press Snap AF option, the improved 10MP 1/1.7" CCD sensor, the impressive 3" VGA LCD and a lot more. Head over here to read more about it and see some pictures.

I took this picture with the GRD II using the Snap mode and only slightly cropped it.

By the Pond

GRD II, f5, 1/320, ISO 200, RAW

The weather has been pretty bad today and it has been grey and raiing the whole day. Not great for walking around and taking pictures so I only took a handfull of pictures.

Hastings Outing

The LPMG had organized a trip to Hastings today. The weather was great although the light was pretty harsh for taking pictures. This was not a big problem for me because I like my high contrast images and even chose to overexpose some pictures.
The best place in Hatings to take pictures was not the (disapointing) caste remains but the shipyard with old ships, rusty tractors and other interesting and old things.
I have decided to post a series today but have some more pictures in my Dropbox gallery here.

Street Crossing #2

GRD, f4.5, 1/400, ISO 400, JPG b&w

Took this picture on my way home. On rainy days it is good to have the GRD I with me, the high contrast b&w mode is really good for this kind of light. I tried to frame the girl by using the different lines in the picture, it was a shot from the hip while crossing the street and I had to crop it slightly to get to the 2:3 format.

Mastermind

GRD II, f2.4, 1/750, ISO 80, RAW 2:3

Took this picture after work. I liked how the guy was strolling along with his hands behind her back. I added some vignetting and increased the contrast.

Don't Do This!

GRD, f2.4, 1/750, ISO 400, JPG b&w

I just like the noise of the GRD I pictures when shooting in b&w, this is something I have not seen from any other camera and one of the main reasons why I still use my GRD I. Unfortunately I doubt there will be any other camera which can give a similar quality to the b&w images.
The images from the GRD I at ISO 400 look great if exposed correctly, even at 200% magnification they still remain nice and crisp without any smudging or artifacts visible.

Touch the Screen

GRD, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 400, JPG b&w

Did not have much time for photography but managed to take a few pictures during lunch today. This is the one I like most.

Environmental Portrait

I chose to post a series for two reasons today. First I have been at an 'Environmental Portrait' workshop and took these pictures for the assignment there although I did not submitt any of these for critique afterwards but chose a different one. The second reason is because it is a series from the London Bridge festival.
All pictures have been taken with the Panasonic LC1 and have only been converted to b&w or sepia.

Guy in White

GRD, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 400, JPG b&w

Took this picture after work on my way to the cinema. I saw this guy from further away and knew it would make a great picture. I did take a few pictures around but this is the best, unfortunately I did not realize the people in the background walking into the picture. They are not too distracting but I think without them it would have been much better. I should have waited loger and retake the picture.

The Readers

GRD, f4, 1/250, ISO 400, JPG b&w

July's Ricohforum competition is about Readers/Reading. While waiting at London Bridge I decided to try and take a few pictres who fit that theme. This is the one I like most although I will not submit it for the competition, I have a different picture for this.

Smile!

GRD II, f2.4, 1/80, ISO 100, RAW

Another gray and rainy day in London without many pictures taken, I need to find a weekly project to work on.
I took this picture on my way home near the Greenwich Observatory, I find itreally cool that she is actually smiling in my direction instead of looking at the guy with the big dSLR taking a picture of her. I cropped the picture a bit tighter to get a closer composition on this.

Race for Life 09 in Blackheath

This is a early blog update for me but after getting back from the 'Race for Life' event in Blackheath I think I found the 5 pictures I want to use for today.
I decided to use the Panasonic LC1, it has the zoom and color pictures are just great from it. I am highly impressed with the quality from the LC1, it has a fantastic lens but more than that, the sensor is very good. I believe 2/3" (or slightly bigger) and 6-8MP is the best size for a compact digital camera, it gives enough dynamic rage, very nice colors and does not have too much noise.

Pride London 2009

As it happened last year, I was just on my way into town to get a coffee at Camera Cafe and take some pictures in town. Once I got out of the station I saw people dressed up and heard music in Trafalgar Square, it was the Pride again. This meant my coffee had to wait so I set out again to try and capture the event. Overall my pictures were not as good as last year or as usual from events but these are the five I like best. All were taken with the GRD at ISO 100 and 200.

Emergency

GRD, f3.2, 1/160, ISO 400, JPG b&w

Todays picture does not quite work as I had hoped but I still quite like it. I tried to crate some blur to give a sense of urgency and chaos while trying to keep the text sharp. It did almost work out but it's not quite as good as I thought.

Plain Lazy

LC1, f5.6, 1/320, ISO 100, JPG, 61mm

Took a short trip to the seaside and went to Whitstable today. It is a very strange place, a bit messy as if the people could not decide if they like or don't like the sea. Most houses look onto the main road instead of the sea. The harbour is also quite small and most of it is taken over by a big cement factory. It makes for a nice day out but I am not sure if I would really come back here.
This picture was not my favorite for the day but in the end I quite like the funny old chap with his hat in front of the boarded up beach hut.

Sliding Doors

GRD, f2.8, 1/160, ISO 1600, JPG b&w

Every day we have so many brief encounters with different people. We pass someone when getting into the tube, people bump into us but we never exchange a word and sometimes even avoid eye contact. Life in a big city means you are always surrounded by people but rarely close to people.

After Work

GRD, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 200, JPG b&w

Took this picture after work. It was a nice and warm afternoon after a hazy morning.
I like the reflection and have cropped this to square because I think it works better.

Mirror View

GRD II, f4, 1/250, ISO 80, RAW

Most photographers don't like shooting in the bright midday sun because of the harsh shadows. I take a big part of my pictures at that time though because this is when I usually get the chance to go out and take pictures. I do like the harsh shadows and have no problem with this but I also like high contrast pictures. The best thing about taking pictures at that time are the reflections you can get in Canary Wharf but also in other places.
I like this picture because it is washed out but the mirror image is well exposed and creates a contrast. The other reason is that the mirror image of the guy looks somewhat different, almost as it is another person.

On a side note, there will be a public hands-on event for the Olympus E-P1 at the Jessops near Tottenham Court Road tomorrow from 6pm. I will go there and will try to get some time with the camera and post my impressions. If you have any questions or want to know anything specific let me know and I will try to find out if possible.

Green Dress

GX100, f7, 1/400, ISO 80, RAW, 50mm

Took this during lunch today. We finally had some sun shining during the day so the shadows and reflections made photography more interesting. I decided to use the GX100 and thought the zoom will come in handy. It did not really and I usually preferred using 28mm and 24mm.
I really like this picture and while I can't exactly say why I like it so much, I did know that this is the picture for today after I took it.