From a trip to Loch Lomond a while back.From a trip to Loch Lomond a while back. This is the E-P3’s Grainy Film filter thingy, used for no particularly explicable reason.From a trip to Loch Lomond a while back.
I have a graduated filter, and I’m not afraid to use it. Well, actually, I’ve got Color Efx Pro, but same diff.From a trip to Loch Lomond a while back.From a trip to Loch Lomond a while back.From a trip to Loch Lomond a while back. This is an iPhone 4S shot with a brief side trip in Color Efx Pro. I’m still surprised at how well it performs, especially when compared to a few old Nokia N73 shots I found from back in the day, when it was marketed as a point ‘n’ shoot replacement with it’s Carl Zeiss optics and all. It wasn’t – the 4S is, for all but a few edge cases.Taken from the kitchen window, for lo, I am very lazy indeed.
I’ve moved to the other side of Glasgow. What better way to judge the quality of the area than by the quality of the graffiti?
This is over the road from the old place. I’d say it loses.I’ve moved to the other side of Glasgow. What better way to judge the quality of the area than by the quality of the graffiti?
This is round the corner from the new place. I’d say it wins.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATaken from the kitchen window, for lo, I am very lazy indeed.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Madeleine Church.
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThere are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.
Pardon the Dramatic Tone filter.Well, not quite, the Eiffel Tower does make some impression on the Paris skyline, but it was the first clear-ish look.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFilming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.Filming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.Filming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.Filming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.Filming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.Filming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.Filming of zombie vehicle World War Z gives the area around Glasgow’s swinging George Square a Philadelphian facade.I try and carry around at least my S90 all the time, because you never know when the sky is going to go all mental like this.Aaahh, the Dramatic Tone filter. Is there nothing that doesn’t look mental through you?Injusa – for urban pavemnet warriors.Taken on a half-cut late night walk back from the Glasgow’s swinging West End.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThere are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATaken on a half-cut late night walk back from the Glasgow’s swinging West End.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.There are many photos like it, but these are mine.
Fitting image for the last Notre Dame shot, though. Almost as if I planned it.
I didn’t, obviously.At the risk of sounding racist, I’m sick of these Reds coming over here, taking from our colostomy bags.
Paging McCarthy.Has to be done.Sure, the balloon is bright, but the dark clouds behind it portend the coming deluge.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Paris Opera
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Paris Opera
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Paris Opera
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Paris Opera
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.The Paris Opera
There are many photos like it, but these are mine.Must be said, the banks of the Seine isn’t a bad place for a wedding.This sign lies. It was in Paris, not Kyoto.Farewell, then, Lens Cap for a 12-60mm Olympus lens. You leave behind a quality lens shorn of your protection, falling in the line of duty somewhere on the Paris metro system.
It is unkind to speak ill of the departed, but in this time of despair we must be honest with ourselves and each other. The only surprising thing about this tragedy is that it took so long to occur, given your predilection for leaping from the lens at the slightest brush.
We must reflect upon your creator, the good Lord Olympus, and ask him why He cannot create a lens cap across His entire range of otherwise brilliant lenses that does not suck wholeheartedly.
Lo then, for the great circle of life must continue, and we can only hope that your generic 99p replacement that, I note, comes with a lanyard which recent experience suggests will be useful, will be at least as good as you were.
Which isn’t saying much. Until then, I’m patenting my temporary protection method as the revolutionary LenSock™ – It’s Better Than Nothing. Purchase your LenSock at any reputable photographic or underwear stockist.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre. There are many photos like it, but these are mine.A little after being soaked to the skin.More of a cafe than a shop, really.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThat’s the way out.The only use I have had so far for the E-5’s in-built diorama filter, producing this faux tilit-shift minature effect from the Eiffel Tower.Taken on a half-cut late night walk back from the Glasgow’s swinging West End.What true professionals look like in the field.This is the last shot from Paris, showing the newly weaponised Eiffel Laser Tower destroying a tour bus.Look, I never said I was Bresson, did I?Flying over to Paris on EasyJet’s finest vee-hickle.
Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.Glasgow airport air control tower, in IR, for no good reason.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAGlasgow airport air control tower, in IR, for no good reason.Needs maintenance.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFutzing around Glasgow with a Holga lens attached to the E-PL2.
Well, it saves applying the Toy Lens preset in Aperture.
That’s just plain sloppy. You’d never guess it was a Banksy.To think, this used to be someone’s back garden. Wowzer.You can take the Cow out of the Highlands, but not out of its name.Futzing around Glasgow with a Holga lens attached to the E-PL2.
Well, it saves applying the Toy Lens preset in Aperture.
St Jude’s Church throught the dismal plastic lens.Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Poland, 2011Futzing around Glasgow with a Holga lens attached to the E-PL2.
Well, it saves applying the Toy Lens preset in Aperture.
This is one of the more left-field additions to a health food shop window I’ve seen lately.One of the nicest areas around Glasgow is certainly Pollok Park, where all sorts of greenery abounds. Like this flower, for example. Although it’s mainly red.A path. Up the garden. Etc.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.A trip round Pollok Park with the trusty IR converted E-420.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANow, this is torture – looking at pictures of a sunny day in Scotland while in the middle of the deep dark winter.Futzing around Glasgow with a Holga lens attached to the E-PL2.
Well, it saves applying the Toy Lens preset in Aperture.
I have to respect the honesty behind the naming of the this shop. The produce isn’t stellar, y’know, but it’s certainly decent.
I see they’re reserving the usual percentage of truth conservation in signage for the ‘Sweets’ part. Unless it’s sherbert pizzas and chocolate kebabs they’re selling.Glasgow Uni, from a distanceFutzing around Glasgow with a Holga lens attached to the E-PL2.
Well, it saves applying the Toy Lens preset in Aperture.
It’s not quite Y U No Guy, but I’d imagine he’d be pleased to eat here.
knowyourmeme.com/memes/y-u-no-guy
There’s few camera-related things quites as sad as your most used lens needing to go to Lens Hospital.A view across Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens, creatively ruined by Olympus’ dependably rotten ‘Dramatic Tone’ filter.Odd seeing derelicts like this mere minutes walk from the fully ‘regenerated’ finacial districts. A city of contrasts. And stabbings.
Our cabana in Tulum.Akab Dzib, which seemingly way home to the Chichen Itza town administators.
You can’t fight City Hall.According to Wikipedia (and we all know how authoritative that isn’t), the earliest name for this place was "the flat house with the excessive number of chambers”.
I like the way these Myan Myans think.Hey, almost got throught all the photos from my last tip to Mexico over half a year ago! Go, me!Driftwood at Tulum.Up in Monterrey’s mountain ranges.Another friend we made in Tulum.This bird just loves quoting lines from Robocop.A welcome dip in cool waters, after baking in the South Mexican sun.Remember, stalagmites go up, tites go down.
Stalag lufts are not covered in this mnemonic.The roots of this tree are all that remains of it.
It’s not often that the much maligned low light performance of 4/3 sensors presents any problems, but this was one of the rare occasions I was wished a D700 or something was hidden in my camerabag. Still, a reasonable results, I think.A very pretty cenote. Certainly the nicest I’ve been to. Also the only one.The grounds outside the cenote.One of the cenotes near Chichen Itza, the exact name of which currently escapes me. The cool waters are most welcome in the searing 40-plus degree heat, which no Scotsman is built for.El Castillo at Chichén Itzá.El Castillo at Chichén Itzá.El Castillo at Chichén Itzá.El Castillo at Chichén Itzá.The top of El CastilloThe unrestored staircase of El CastilloVendors at the Chichen Itza complex.Vendors at the Chichen Itza complex.Big Ben if you’re being informal and inaccurate about it.The bronze statue of Tom Landry, watching over the Cowboys Stadium.Up in Monterrey’s mountain ranges.
This made me feel briefly homesick.We spent the last few days of our Mexican trip at Monterrey, my better half’s, well, old home town, now she’s in Glasgow. A lovely town, sadly not quite as safe as it used to be, but in a very picturesque, mountain-ringed location.A fountain in Monterrey. Never though to try a long exposure of one before. A mixed bag of results.A Tulum fisherman gathering shellfish, if memory serves. Five months behind with image processing. Ain’t I lazy?Dedicated to the workers, I gather.It doesn’t look like much. And it wasn’t much. It was only slightly more elaborate than a tent, but the beach side hut was a nice idea.Not actually the cabana we were staying in, on account of this one being delapidated.Francisco Toledo’s sculpture/installation/thing.Busy doing nothing.From the mountains of Monterrey.From the mountains of Monterrey.The view from the rustic, tumbledown cabana in which we stayed in Tulum, near Cancun, Mexico.Mountains in Mexico are weird. They have trees and suchlike on them. Not like Scotland’s windswept rockscapes.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANot exactly sure what this is supposed to represent.There’s worse views in the world to relax in front of.Somerset House and one of its many courtyard.. rooster sculptures?
Okaaaaayyyy.Tomorrow never knows.Cathedral of San Gervasio, Valladolid. This place has an interesting history, particularly considered against the backdrop of converting the indigenous Mayans to Catholic beliefs.The San Servacio in Valladolid, MexicoUp in Monterrey’s mountain ranges.Tulum seascape.Tulum seascape.Tulum seascape.Tulum seascape.Tulum seascapeTulum seascapeTulum seascapeTulum seascapeA parting shot of the Tulum seascape.Whether you thing of it as merely a den of iniquity or a wretched hive of scum and villainy, there’s fewer greater contrasts in this world between the grandeur of the building and character of those inside it.Monastery corridor.Frankly, the sermon was a little wooden.
ARF. ARF. ARF. DEPLOY THE ROFLCOPTER.Somerset House and one of its many courtyard fountains.A staircase in the Sisal Monastery.All days must end, eventually.Templo de los Guerreros, to the east of that honkin’ great pyramid that’s been dominating my photostream lately.It is physically impossible to pass through London with a camera and not take a shot of this beastie.Tulum’s so beautiful it’s almost a stereotype.The “unrestored” sides of the Mayan temple at Chichen Itza. As it’s been decided only original stone can be used to restore it, this side has been cannibalised to restore the other faces.Up in Monterrey’s mountain ranges.We didn’t have many guests in our rustic beachfront shack while in Tulun. This little chap was pretty much the only one. I call him Frank.Sculpture ourside of Monterrey’s modern art gallery.
Reminds me of Murun Buchstansangur, somehow.
This is perhaps the most disappointing moment of the year so far. Imagine, opening a packet of Toffee Dodgers, from the now slightly over-extended range of Jammy Dodger line, to find one completely missing a base and the all-important toffee that defines it.
I’ve hit rock bottom now, I’m telling ya.Ahhh, a delicious flagon of fire.Apparently I didn’t touch a camera at all in March. Poor show. We plunge into April as the task of sorting out this photegraphic backlog continues.
Learn from my mistakes. Process your photos immediately!Playing with the IR converted E-420. Fun stuff. Not that this is a particularly interesting or awesome shot, mind you.
Doesn’t seem to be the most comfortable spot, but I suppose it’s out of the sun.From my increasingly distant trip to Delhi.I’m always drawn back to the this Samson microphone as a subject. No ideal why,OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABarber’s Tomb. The person interned here is unknown, but I’m going to assume it’s not a hairdresser.A cenotaph (if memory serves) in Humayun’s Tomb, for the man’s family.From my trip to New Dehli. One of the pillars around the Qutub Minar.The Qutb Minar does it’s world famous chimney impersonation. The cad!Unless I’m mistaken, this is the side of the Tomb of Imam Zamin, with the Qutb Minar looming over the scene in a way only a 14mm equivalent lens can capture.The Bahai House of Worship, or Lotus Temple. Looks pretty.We’ll there’s plenty of other historic monuments to visit. Form an orderly queue.Not every part of the Bu Halima complex has been restored to it’s former glory yet.Arches at Delhi’s Qutb complexA fountain in the grounds of Humayun’s Tomb.Humayun’s Tomb as viewed from near Barber’s Tomb, if memory serves.Humayun’s Tomb. It’s essentially a prototype of the Taj Mahal.The approximately twelve million-bilionth photo of India Gate. There are many like it, but this one is mine.It’s a striking building, the Bahai House of Worship nee Lotus Temple, even if what occurs inside is bananas.Slightly closer to the Bahai House of Worship, or Lotus Temple.In olden days, this would have come back with a sticker on it explaining what a moron you’ve been.
This, however, was intentional, although I’ve no earthly recollection of why I did it, or really why I’m posting it now.
I did some postprocessing on it a while back to get it all silhouettey and day-for-nighty rather than delete it, so I suppose I’ll post it in deference to my piror self’s intentions, although current me would probably trash this.The Qutb Minar in as wide an extent as my 12-60mm lens can capture.Shot from the airplane window on the way from Glasgow to DehliShot out of the hotel window. Knew I’d brought the tripod for a good reason.Pillar at the Qutb complex. There was a story behind their history, but I can’t recall it for the life of me. Apologies.The carvings on the Qutb Minar.Finally, the processing backlog gets into the month of February. Expect a bunch of photos from my work trip to Delhi.This fortification really does what it says on the tin. It is unarguably a Fort, and unquestionably Red. It could only be more aptly named if it listed the Pantone colour.Approaching one of the less preserved tombs in the complex.Humayun’s Tomb. It’s essentially a prototype of the Taj Mahal.Some detail at the lofty end of the Qutb MinarBu Halima Gate, DehliThe stream of people making their way to Humayun’s Tomb.Carvings from the Qutb complex.
Awesome. More snow. Just what I was hoping for.There’s not too many shots of the Great Wall left, honest. Still, I’ve had to resort to the thesaurus for titling purposes.To the left? To the right? Step it up, step it up, it’s all right.It’s coming up for Chinese New Year in Beijing, which rather means everything looks like Christmas in Blighty. Vive la différence.Well, a street of it anyway. Taken around Chinese New Year, hence all the prettification, I guess.A look at the cityscape of Beijing by night. It was either this or sit in the hotel watching HBO.Beijing by day. Went off for a wander during a lunch break, if memory serves.There must have been a memo sent out to airport terminal designers. Big sweeping curved roofing is very much the order of the day. The above is the from Dubai Airport’s relatively new Terminal 3. It’s almost indistinguishable from the new terminal at Beijing, built I suppose in the main to handle the Olympics traffic. Right angles are so last century.C.R.E.A.M. get the money.There’s not too many shots of the Great Wall left, honest. Still, I’ve had to resort to the thesaurus for titling purposes.I’m all about the lens flare, me. This is the pond at Glasgow’s Queen’s Park, struggling to de-ice from the recent cold snap.A sixish mile roundtrip walk to Tiananmen. I didn’t particularly intend to go there, I just headed out of the hotel, turned right and started walking. Which, as it turns out, goes straight to Tiananmen. There wasn’t enough time to do the touristy thing, but hopefully I can carve out sometime for that later.It’s just like being in the heart of Las Vegas!
Well, maybe not.There’s not too many shots of the Great Wall left, honest. Still, I’ve had to resort to the thesaurus for titling purposes.I’m surely not the only one that thinks that skyscraper over younder was styled after two L-shaped tetris blocks?
I walked over to it to see what it was called, or who’s mainly occupying it, but I couldn’t immediately find any evidence of English language signage so I promptly gave up. I am so very tired. Anyway, I prefer my internalised version, where it is the Asian headquaters of the IHOP.Honestly, this is the last shot of the Great Wall I’ll post.
Well, unless I go back sometime down the line.Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, all lit up at night.There’s still plenty of Olympic paraphanelia cluttering up Badaling.In the middle(ish) of Tiananmen Square.Dinnertime at Pollok Park.Why those gloves there? Who can say? Only the denizen of Glasgow’s Queens Park that put them there.Is it just me, or does that look like Doctor Who has just landed in Renfrew?A statue of the peoples Army in Tiananmen Square.Olympus’ “Dramatic Tone” filter – guaranteed daftness, or your money back.I’m guessing something to do with the Chinese New Year celebrations.Here be dragons.The Great Wall at Badaling.This is some Wall thing they’ve got in China. It’s pretty great.
It’s also quite breathtakingly cold up there at this time of year, with a wind that scythes directly through you as though you were a collection of insubstantial mists, rather than a well swaddled organisation of meat and bones. It’s worth the discomfort for the views, and at if you look on the positive side it made for a substantially less sweaty pseudo-mountaineering session that doing it in the middle of Beijing’s thirty-odd degree summers, as it was the last time I was up there.Yes, I have been using eBay quite a bit lately. How could you tell?I think what I like most about China is the rampant enthusiasm, and the will to build things without anyone stopping to say, “Hang on, isn’t this a bit mental?”
I mean, look at this place. Well, first off it’s called The Place, which smacks either of extreme egotism or a failure of imagination. Given the rest of the buildings, I assume it’s the former.
It’s perhaps five years old as I write this, so obviously at that time the prevailing design trend was mid 18th century neoclassicalism. Fine. Okay. Let’s build it!
Hang on just a moment. There needs to be the other defining element of neoclassical architecture – a hundred metre covered walkway up the middle of it, where the roof is made of massive T.V’s!
In retrospect, I’m only surprised they didn’t use the other kind of TV.Coming soon to an eBay near you!From my work trip to Beijing at the start of the year.The engineering behind some of the new building being erected in China is pretty formidable.Some people want to make their mark on history, I suppose.There’s not too many shots of the Great Wall left, honest. Still, I’ve had to resort to the thesaurus for titling purposes.A section of the Great Wall at Badaling.From an aborted early attempt at picking up an E-5.Hehehe.
More Chinese New Year decorations, I believe,
