The Organ Grinder
In the 19th century street performers had some pretty impressive machines. The street organ in particular is amazing piece of machinery that must have been even more impressive back in a time when even the light bulb had not been invented.
Street Grinders would crank their organs by hand to the delight of crowds passing by. They would collect coins, then pick up their street organ and move somewhere else. Organs could be small and play about 18 notes, or very large like barrel organs.
When in Delft, Netherlands I had the exceptional treat of seeing Dutch Street Organs which are played by music books on rolls that have the notes notched in the paper. As the thick paper hits the note, it makes that note play.
This street grinder was picture perfect. With his puppy, his organ and a fancy tie he sang in french. It was simply amazing.
A Visit to Toronto
Tu and I just got back from our visit to Toronto. I had spent almost a full year in Toronto back in 1999 on a work related project and so I know the city pretty well.
The weather was nice and the last bits of fall still remained. By the time we left, snow was to fall the very next day. Winters can be brutal in Toronto with the temperature falling to -40 with wind chill (and that is bone chilling cold)
The last bits of fall in Toronto before the bone chilling winter begins.
Commuters head to work in early morning Toronto.
One of my favorite parts of Toronto is Tim Horton’s Donuts. They are basically the Dunkin Donuts of Canada except they have great donuts and the coffee is stronger and more European style. Did you know that Tim Horton’s bought Burger King?
There is a restaurant called Frank in the city. It is not my restaurant silly goose. But here I am pretending that it is. We didn’t go inside because it looked to chic for us and we don’t like Chic restaurants.
The most iconic and famous thing about Toronto is the CN Tower. The CN Tower was built for $63 million dollars back in the 1970’s. That’s improbable in today’s standards where the same structure would probably run in the hundreds if not zillions or even billions of dollars. I used to joke with the company that I was working with at the time that the fraud savings we accumulated over the year (about 63mm) was enough to build the CN Tower.
Tu is a big fan of pigeons. They call her the pigeon whisperer because she understand them and can instruct them to do things. One day she will use this super power to take over the world. The pigeons will be her minions of destruction. For the moment however she will continue to foster a loving and parental-like nature.
I liked these little buses in Toronto. They were actually trolleys and they would get you all over the city. These remind me of something a grandpa would be driving and he would say, Hop Aboard Son.
Did I mention that Tu was the pigeon whisperer. Here she is riling them up. She likes a very unpredictable approach when training the pigeons. One moment calming them down, the next moment causing havoc.
There is a neat little train yard just at the foot of the CN Tower. They actually let you board stream trains and poke around bit. We had a great time playing around on those trains and here is Tu with her trusty iPhone. Did you know that last month Tu sent over 3,000 text messages?
This rough and tumble vagrant was spotted wandering down ghetto streets. I wonder if this homeless chap has enough to eat or if he is warm enough. I gave him $2 and he thanked me.
And here is a sweet little shot of a beautiful lady sitting serenely under a lamp, looking up at the lamp wondering where her beloved pigeons are. She realized later that pigeons sleep at night.
Thanks for the memories Toronto. We love your city.
Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
I am in London this week and took a trip over to the Tower of London to visit the 880,000 individually lit poppies that line the famous moat.
The work which is called, “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” involves an artist, progressively placing individual red poppies in the moat; a single poppy for every British soldier that died in WWI.
It is a pretty touching site to see close to 1 million lit poppies underneath the tower. The project started in August and the artist will finish in 2 weeks time.
Get the Hell out of the Road
I am in Hague this week for work. The Dutch love their bikes and almost everyone here has one. The bikes are cool and vintage style.
You really don’t have to worry about cars hitting you here. When you cross the street, they are quite courteous and stop anytime it looks like you will step out on the street.
Well that would be great however here, people on bikes are maniacs and scream at you anytime you get the slightest bit in their way.
Today, I was walking a tad in the street and the old man yelled something in Dutch and I think it was, “Get the Hell out of the Road You Stupid &^$%$”. I am pretty sure that is what he said.
That’s three times I have been yelled at by bikes in the last 24 hours. I am sure I am not obeying the right laws or people are militant about the right of way for bikes. Whatever they are doing, they are owning the roads so its working.
He yells while he drives his bike like a bat out of Hades
Autumn in Toronto
We had a great trip to Toronto, Tu and I. Last year we visited Montreal in September and this year Toronto in November. Canada has some of the most beautiful falls you can ever see.
Toronto was amazing and we got lots of nice pictures.
La Jolla Surfer Proves Why It’s Awesome to Live in La Jolla (and surf)
La Jolla Surfer heading to shore after a sunset surf.
Beautiful Torrey Pines
I spent a bit of extra time the other night at Torrey Pines after sun set. The park closes down but I was amazed how much more beautiful the park becomes at dusk. Even more beautiful than during the day.
The Final and Most Important Leap Forward in Photography of All Time
Its not what you shoot, Its How you Shoot
In todays rough and tumble world of Photography you need to stand out and have your own style. With photographers endlessly jockeying for likes on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, 500PX, Flickr, Tumblr one breed of photographer is emerging as the ultimate champion – The Style Shooter.
The Style Shooter is expert in all stances and knows that good photography is in the art of presentation. He understands the evolution of photography and strives his Darwinian best to survive.
Photography is no longer about the way the photo looks. And, even more importantly, its no longer about the Filter. No, Photography is about the way YOU look taking the photo. In fact forget the memory card. You don’t even need it anymore.
Style shooting is the ultimate victory for Form over Substance. It is a battle which has been waging in photography for years.
Create Your Own Personal Style
I read to be a successful photographer you have to get your own personal style. I have been working on various styles but to be honest its brutally hard and requires (as many of people have told me) years of practice and a ceaseless commitment to become the best.
I’m getting good. But am I getting great? Only time will tell.
The Style is the Substance
Drawing the distinction between style over substance can be extremely difficult. Just look at the popularity of post processing filters and you realize style is often more important than substance. So, naturally we have evolved to the point where the style is the substance. Now, we must learn the style. We are stylist and must set the trend.
Will this shot look good? Who cares. Do I look good? No, but I’m working on it and that is what matters.
An Impressive Technician of The Trade
His Name is Matt McDaniel – I came across his shots online – check his article out here. If you’re going to hire a wedding photographer, or someone to photograph a special event you want your guest to know you got the best photographer out there.
Imagine, as the guest come in and see this firestorm of a photographer making the rounds getting shots. His sheer force and determination to conquer every shot will be all the guest will remember – they will never even remember to check out the pictures he took they were so impressed.
An impressive and awe inspiring self portrait the photographer shows of his technique
A Virtuoso and His Craft
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the heavy hitter in the Big League of Style Shooting – Tangkap Gambar. Tangkap’s style is marked with fluid motions, near seamless segue ways from shot to shot, and breathtaking postures done nonchalantly and seemingly without effort.
Look how he stands out from the crowd. Other photographers try to get the shot. They cannot because the wedding parties eyes are glued on him. The sheer mastery at work is enough to make you want to get your camera and change the way you do photography. I know I did, and I am a fan
http://youtu.be/6mQuMNhP3ps