Tag Archives: Landscape

“The Best Camera…….. Is The One You Have With You”

By Nigel | Published August 25, 2011

As the title to the post states the best camera is the one you have with you and since the X100 arrived on my door step that has been my camera of choice whilst I have been out and about doing my everyday things…..

I have found that I have been slipping the camera into my work bag when I head off to London, and a weekends it is easier to just pop the quick strap on the camera and sling it across my body and head out. Now don’t get me wrong, this is not a camera to solve all you problems and replace your DSLR, however for the times when you want to travel light ensuring that you do not venture out camera-less, the X100 is the idea solution.

Depending on your shooting needs I am sure there are better compact’s out there, say for instance you would find the 35mm focal length to restrictive, then the X100 would not be for you.

I must say I love the focal length and challenges that it throws down when you are out and about in london or walking along the coast. I find it makes me look for images just that little bit harder.

I have been shooting with X100 for nearly a month now and I have been coming to grips with it’s eccentricities, learning how to overcome the shortcomings of the camera, which has been fun and not that limiting.

One thing that I have been doing more of is using the X100 in tandem with the Ipad, all of my images that I have been processing and post from the X100 have been worked up in the Ipad using a combination of PS Express and Snapseed. I have found that these two app for the Ipad take care of 80% of my processing needs, and since I am now only shooting in JPG processing on the Ipad is a breeze.

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As you can see I have been having a blast with black and white processing of late, but that is not to say I do not like the colour images produced by the X100, they are mighty fine too.

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The minor issues that the X100 has, for me are forgotten about as soon as you start shooting with this Fun Retro Design, quality compact. I am blown away by the usability of the camera and the quality of the images that the camera produces but the one this I love above all else is the silent operation of the camera, which leaves people pondering if you have taken a picture of them long after you are past them and off down the street.

I will sooner or later put together a full review of the camera detailing it’s little tick’s and quirk’s, however I am sure that all the reviews that our out there on the internet which have been produced by far more illustrious individuals than myself would sum this camera up far better than I could do it justice.

Posted in Black & White, Coastal, Day out, Landscape, London, People, Street, X100 | Also tagged , , , , , 3 Comments

Easter Get Away.

By Nigel | Published May 9, 2011


During the easter bank holiday I managed to get away for a little trip to the lake district.

Nothing fancy, no B&B, no roof over head and warm walls. The trip consisted of a tent and all the camera gear I could shove in my Explorer backpack. Now it has been years since I have been camping and one thing was evident after the first night in the tent. I must not have been effected by the cold in my earlier years.

The first night under canvas was a rude awakening that caused me to head to town and buy an additional sleeping bag to supplement my existing bag. With the sleeping worries laid to rest (Excuse the pun) the wandering began.

One thing is evident from the trip, and that is more time is needed when in such a beautiful location to scout for perfect shots and at what time of the day the location and light begin the interact in that magical way that creates the perfect shot.

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During the trip the subject matter varied from waterfalls for flowing water, shorelines, large vista’s, wildlife and multiple panoramas. I could not visit the Lake District and not carry my camera to the top of one of the many hilltops that caress the shores of the many lakes, so on the 3rd day of the visit an 8 mile circular route was chosen and the slog began. This was in noway a route march, more like an amble with many stops to photograph the multitude of scenes that were encountered along the way.

The route of the walk started in the centre of Keswick then headed to the shoreline of Derwent Water which was followed until the walk can to the start point of the endless climb to reach the best view of the week, which was soaked up whilst sitting on Lady’s Rake on Walla Crag. Below is a little video that was taken on my HTC Desire HD, now the quality is not outstanding but for a device that sits in my pocket and is used everyday for many things I will not be complaining. It is the first time I have used the video function and I put together this little clip using imovie on the mac. I am sure they will get better as time goes by and I get used to doing them. But it does give you an idea of the wonderful view that was waiting at the top if Lady’s Rake.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/23318375[/vimeo]

I hope you have enjoyed this little snapshot of my visit to the Lakes, you can be sure I will be revisiting the location in the neat future to see what else I can find and capture. The next visit will be for longer so the plan will be to get out and find some remote places off the beaten tourist track and hopefully capture something that is not the standard view of the Lakes.

Posted in Black & White, Lake District, Landscape, Long Exposure, ND Shot, Night Shots, Panoramic, Streamed Video | Also tagged , , , , Leave a comment