GX GARNERINGS

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) This is probably the feeling that Saturday gives to the working people.

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) The way we see things can be traced back to our formative years as a baby. Our parents taught us to associate words with the respective stereotype images. Say, at the very mention of a tree, what immediately springs to your mind is probably a usual tree that you see in the neighbourhood -- very likely the similar tree that you parents first showed you when you were small. A tree is a tree; how can there be anything special about it? That will pose problems to a photographer.  There is not just one to stand for many.  To the contrary, even a simple image can be viewed and interpreted fairly differently. When we do a general seeing, most images are seen in a way which confines to our mind's perceptions. They become as mundane as the learning of A for Apple, B for Boy and C for Cat. We are therefore deprived of many chances to do some eye-opening images. The initial impression this scene arose in the author's mind was how the two larger boughs spread f...

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) Whether this is a strong arm hinges on one's perception. To the author, this is a strong arm which, with the man and his body shape, remains the author of his once youthful father from the eye of the small boy then. The slightly blurred image rightly reflects the distant memory the scene recalled in the author's mind. All these perceptions are enough to make the arm and the man subjects. It is our perception that spurs us to or stop us from using certain subjects. When the perception bestows on us good feelings about a particular thing or scene, it moves us to press the shutter; or, on the contrary, not. So, in effect, we can make everything a subject in an image while refraining from using some. This is all right. There is no right or wrong about our perceptions. There is only the task to transcend it. Since perceptions never criticise, the task will not be an easy one because we seldom objectively notice if we have transcended and to what extent. ...

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) The problem with seeing is not that it is too difficult. On the contrary, and paradoxically so, the problem is that seeing is too easy. We take it for granted, except for the less fortunate people who however are endowed with greater courage to live in a world of different senses. But if we give what we see a second thought, how differently will the scenes impact on our thoughts or even our lives. Immediately, that will change the way a photographer frame and produce the final images. Here, the author frame the scene to crop out the unrelated elements, hopefully making viewers to reflect on how possibly dangerous it can be to make a living. The composition was also done to create tension to make viewers reflect on the fact that serious accidents can happen in no time during a probably everyday activity of the man -- tidying up the boxes on the highway -- or of us, for that matter. Another photographer may just pass by such common scenes in this part of the...

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) Whether you are just running into this place, or a long-time reader, this is a note of thanks for your visiting. Just because the length of the posts has been shorter in recent months, doesn't mean that the author is losing interest in photography or posting. The truth is quite the opposite. It is exactly because of the passion in both that even though the the author has been in the throes of busyness, the posting has continued without a break. The world is constantly under the observation of his cameras. Our poll just closed reveals the reasons for love of photography among the however small number of voters are mostly to observe the world and to use different cameras. After having tried over a dozen of new cameras in the past year, the author has great reservation over the second commonly voted reason -- to use different cameras. It is safe to say that using any camera virtually has nothing to do with doing intriguing shots. Keep coming and see the r...

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) Or was she trying to eavesdrop?

(Camera: Ricoh GX200) Talk to someone to mend the relationship today. This is Sunday.  Time to forgive and forget.