GX GARNERINGS

*Praya was a term used in Colonial Hong Kong to refer to a promenade by the waterfront. The name comes from the Portuguese term for broad stone-faced road that runs parallel along the harbour in front of the city.

The name of the place may hint a connection to the late American President Kennedy. But actually, it is named after the 7th British viceroy, Sir Arthur E. Kennedy running Hong Kong in its colonial years.

Arthur was an Irish and an old boy of Trinity College, Dublin. Kennedy Town, developed under his charge, is located at the far-left of the Hong Kong Island.

The place is accessible by the century-old tram, which I have no reservation in recommending to you if you fancy going there. It is still not within easy reach by way of the underground railway, hence retaining an old quality to it.

After dropping off at the tram terminus, a two minutes walk will take you to the breathtaking view of the harbour at the praya. The harbour looks differently from the praya since this part of the waters is the widest and against a background of minimal concrete buildings.

Oh, if for the sake of photography you are brave enough to cross the railings which forbid passers-by to go near the edge, mind the unexpected wave. I saw a photographer being thoroughly wetted by a sudden gust of the sea water. He was holding his camera….

The map below gives you an idea of where the Kennedy Town is. There are some bars at the side of the praya with outdoor seats. Enjoy!

Here is the special site where you can click to view the 360° view of the camera, gallery and more.

The intro shows the combination of the system with the readily available units. You'll not wish to miss it.

Photographyblog produces some shots comparing the GXR camera to Panny's GF1 in size.  Click here to see more.

Here you go:

^A sight seen almost daily of similar old shopkeepers giving delivery to his customers

It is a duty of a street photographer to seek out from the mundane daily happenings the intriguing folk scenes, which requires an unceasing effort to train the ability to admire what are normally considered commonplaces.

If photography is a religion, the offering on the alter is the ability to observe and discover. It is not foolhardy to say that photography is as much about decisive moments as it is observation and discovery, and least about taking many pictures. How well a photographer does in observing and discovering, so goes his or her works.

^A young kid, probably at age eight, helps his mother carry some of the baskets for fruits to the shops. He follows her crossing roads without attending to the traffic. Children helping adults at work might be a common sight some 40 years ago but not now.

When we as photographers can observe and discover as an instinct, the photos we take will easily overflow with a peculiar and prominent expression and viewpoint, delivering the otherwise common street scenes in more sensational images.

Technicality aside, photography masters are basically masters of observation. They are simply more observant than most of us do. In most cases, the best scene which can make a keeper is in proximity to us. The crux of the mastery is whether we can see it. The only difficulty is our patience to practise our photographer's eye.

^The weak jog in the air-conditioned room while the real tough do it outdoors.

Today, when you see a scene in the street, practise your ability to observe. Surely, to read widely will stand us in good stead for our practice.

Oh, don't forget to pick your camera with you everyday.

The deleted Youtube video about the camera can be viewed here.

A fact sheet can be viewed here.

Briefly about the camera:-

Size: smaller than the available M4/3 cameras.
Sensor: interchangeble with a mount body fitted with a 10MP CCD or a 12.3MP CMOS sensor
Availability: December
Lenses: interchangeable with 24-72mm f/2.5-4.4 or 50mm f/2.5 macro lens
Price: Comparable to the M4/3 for the system as a whole

(Source: Photorumors)