Nikon AF600 : my second camera

You may wonder after my first 120 roll film camera, it's normal that an upgrade of 4x5 format should be used...ha ha!

This is what I bought at last: a 35mm roll film camera for "dummy", i.e.: fully auto. 

As far as I've remember it is a tiny size negative of 24nos. picture film, very cute when you compare with the 120 format side by side.

That's for sure it is a very handy camera, not much to be adjusted, absolutely risk free snap shot expert, easy to use and light weight. 

I used it not only for leisure but when capture site work when I was a junior......long...long...time ago :D . Look at the bottom right corner, see that "Panorama" mode? Yes, this was her strongest feature that attracted me; I still remember how she did her good job but unfortunately I can't find those old photos in my file. But no matter how, she was my best assistant...thank you!

P.S.: Even thought a fully auto camera or "A" mode can do most of the job, remember to use the focus lock (or half press shutter release) to lock your target image before framing - otherwise a blur image as a result but it's not the camera's fault.

Alone

Creative works can be in team but most of the time, we are alone. Like many of other photographers, writers, sculptors, painters, designers...,etc. That's why we love the moment after mid night.

There is always another "world" for us to enter, once the shutter wide opened, writing paper and pen are ready, colorful acrylics are on the palette.....and, we are ready to be "Alone"!

Not everyone like this feeling, especially when we are not in good mood; but it definitely gives us an environment to have free thought, no burden, no reality, no right or wrong, just concentrate...so concentrate onto the next move, bit by bit, so quiet that it seems we are the only living creature at that moment.

I love to do editing of what I've shot in the day at night, too. When photos appear on the screen, they were framed not only the scenario, but the background "music", aroma, people and things happened around at that specific moment...now, "act" once again in front of me..."at Night" "Alone" !

You will be surprised to see there are much more other then what you've intended to capture, take your time, enjoy!

斷。捨。離

終於找到這本書: 
山下英子的 斷。捨。離。

還記得開始教＂自在人生自學計劃-美化家居"課程的第一課， 當説到學員們在任何＂美化＂的大前提下必需先執拾， 捨棄沒有用，不合用或很久沒有用的物品； 才能騰出空間去美化家居。 課室內即時起哄， 大家嚷著這是一個天大難題， 要做到甚至單是想起也是＂比死更難受!!! "

當時這本書仍未面世（但原來山下英子一早已在日本開設講座談及這個問題）。 由於我本身有＂執嘢癮＂，所以對我來說不難享受到執拾、捨棄之後，那種在空間及心靈上帶來的輕鬆感覺。 不過當＂斷＂及＂捨＂在年復年的運作中， 慢慢便會步入難捨難離這個層面了， 也正好是今年我所面對的。

書內所談到似乎是很簡單，可以按步就班去實踐的方法； 其實當中更包含着一些令我們對事物執著而不願離棄的解讀…我想， 這就是本書可貴之處：心靈的釋放。

那天晚上， 一口氣看完， 立刻有當頭棒喝的感覺， 腦海中也即時浮現家中可以再次納入斷。捨。離。的事物； 翌日亦急不及待介紹給學員。 

如果此刻你正處於生活的樽頸位，何不來一個現實與心靈的大掃除？ 也許會有意想不到的出路！

亂中有序

曾經學習攝影的朋友, 總不會忘記導師必教題:   構圖 . 沒錯, 構圖好與否絶對會影響相片出來的效果. 處理得好的話可以突出主題, 増強畫面透視感, 甚至可以帶領觀相者身歴其境, 一同感受拍攝當時的氣氛. 否則, 就只會變成凌亂鎖碎, 相中無物.

還記得初時因為用菲林機, 為着省錢 (避免後期裁放), 所以取景入鏡盡量計算準確, 希望曬出來的畫面構圖和拍攝時一樣, 也因此甚少拍下這一類較多線條及錯縱複雜, 色彩接近(容易黏地)的相片.....結果, 影相時"太手緊" 令我享受不到"隨意"的感覺, 也間接減低了環境事物的可塑性.

隨着進入數碼年代, 電腦後期裁放及加工已排除了這方面的制爪, 取景可以較隨心, 從而今我發覺有不少事物也是亂中有序, 頗有觀賞性的......不過我並沒有因為科技的進歩而放棄構圖的基礎. 最少, 甚至不裁放及後期加工仍是我努力學習及維持的目標. 因為只有這樣オ能不斷提昇對畫面比例和構圖的把握能力, 而不會仗着科技而"自我放縱" .

老實説, 如果這張相把左邊裁至樹幹位, 右邊裁走行人, 畫面會較緊凑....但願下次會把握得更好!

七タ

秦觀 (鵲橋仙)

纖雲弄巧, 飛星傳恨, 銀漢迢迢暗度.

金風玉露ー相逢, 便勝卻人間無數.

柔情似水, 佳期如夢, 忍顧鵲橋歸路.

兩情若是久長時, 又豈在朝朝暮暮.

適逢今天是農暦七月初七,  七タ; 也即是傳説中牛郎織女相會的一天. 令我想起這首優美的宋詞. 總覺得古人有份優雅的情感, 簡簡單單56個字, 便把整個詩情畫意,離愁別緖的情懷表達出來. 除了是文學修養之外, 清閒淡雅的生活能使人有空間去感受. 

也許在今夜, 大家不妨暫且放下手機雜務, 與掛念的人相聚ー刻.

注釋可參巧 : http://www.stfa-yyc.edu.hk/~wwong/04_4.htm

Agfa Isolette III ...my first camera

As far as I've remember, up to now, I am using the 8th camera in my life and the one above is my first "lover", which was also my dad's partner in his good old days.

Agfa lsolette III - produced in 1951-1960,  made in Germany. It is a Compact Horizontal Folding Camera using 120 type Roll film, and this one was designed for 12nos. 6x6 cm roll film. Cast aluminum top housing, i.e.: a Post-War design....COOL !

My first roll of film was almost a "total lost". 

My father taught me all basic operation at the night before my first "date" with Mr. Isolette; the location was Lamma Island in Hong Kong. It was a sunny day, the scenery was awesome, even thought a black and white negative should did a good job. I shot seriously because I've only got 12 chances, ISO setting, exposure combination, framing, lighting...step by step and it took almost the whole afternoon for me to complete those 12 shots.

Then, what's next ?

My first Film Processing lesson : all tools and chemical were ready, unloaded the film in total darkness , while developing not even fixing........" OMG!!! Where are the landscape gone?" 

There was only one image appeared within the whole roll of negative! = film rolled unsuccessfully inside the the cartridge :( because I rolled too little from the beginning which didn't securely winded and this was my first photography "lesson" in my life . Ha Ha !

But truly speaking, l love this camera even though the first experience was a bit
embarrassing. Not only because of the overall design is so elegant, the shutter sound is amazing, mechanism of 100% manual operation is so attractive by only one careless move, you failed....

one of the breathtaking feeling that 
you will never have by using a digital camera !

Vacation is over

It's been almost one and a half years - such a long vacation from posting; sorry for leaving so long, but sometimes, you have to go... when you was stuck into something; life's changing, lack of inspiration, losing your mind...whether you are willing or not!

Same as design, even thought there are new technique, new material, new design firm, new client , new trend in every minute ...when you discover the circle was kept rotating but sucks...you have to go!

Simply leave everything behind, time will do it's job, not only to the matter but you.

Blogging is very interesting, when time pass by, it's not a matter of take it or leave it. Most of us imagined to earn a living from here sometimes before, or should say long time ago; but once you've found the great difference between a commercial blog or a really sharing blog, you will have to choose and face the reality. 

Blogging is very attractive, especially you can "almost" post anything you want, no instant reaction that will interrupt your next thought, just share generously. 

But Blogging is also very energy consuming if only if you write it by your heart......so let's see what's next :)