Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Eurostar Platform - Brussels / Belgium (Mon 19 Aug 2013)

Eurostar Platform - Brussels / Belgium (Mon 19 Aug 2013)

We had a few hours in Brussels as transferred to a train that would take us Amsterdam. The filtered light on the long platform in the Railway Station was just beautiful and this photo reminds of that time and the time we spent in Brussels in Sep 2009.

On Change - Kirk Tuck (Tue 29 Aug 2013)

Untilted - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)

Kirk Tuck (*) writes On Change (*):
the first step to freedom (*) is to throw off the resistance (*) to change (*). [..]

Change (*) is inevitable and fighting (*) it is the first step to failure (*).
via The graying of traditional photography and why everything is getting re-invented in a form we don't understand. (*) by Kirk Tuck (*).
Untilted - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)

Friday, October 25, 2013

Two Arcs - Sydney Harbour (Mon 10 Sep 2001)

Two Arcs - Sydney Harbour (Mon 10 Sep 2001)

David Malouf (*) writes On The Sydney Opera House (*) which 40 years ago appeared near the Sydney Harbour Bridge (*) as :
a new emblem [..] and Sydneysiders immediately saw the two as mirrors of one another, the arc of the bridge and its broken reflection; another arc, but divided now into sections and fitted one inside the next. The new force ran between the two. Like the force in Paris that runs between Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, and in Rome between the Colosseum, the Pantheon and Michelangelo's St Peter's.
via Angel of Bennelong Point (*) by David Malouf (*).

On Street Photography - Jack Simon / Eric Kim Blog (Wed 23 Oct 2013)

Untitled - George Street / Sydney (Mon 21 Oct 2013)

Jack Simon (*) writes On Street Photography (*):
So when I am shooting spontaneously on the streets, I think it is random events that hit my eye. I might see something interesting and respond to it. Sometimes I know what I got, sometimes I think I got something good, but don’t. Sometimes it is a total surprise. I might take a photo of something very quickly, without being quite sure of everything going on. And in the editing process I can discover interesting things.
via Making a Fiction in the Mind of the Viewer: Interview with Jack Simon (*) by Eric Kim (*).

Untitled - George Street / Sydney (Mon 21 Oct 2013)

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

On Giving - Jim Mortram / Colin Pantall's blog (Wed 23 Oct 2013)

Cafe Bar - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)

From the wonderful series, Dos and Don'ts (*), Jim Mortram (*) writes On Giving (*):
Don't keep that which you have learned for yourself. If you teach 100 people to use a chisel, you'll find a hundred different sculptures will be made as a result of learing to use that tool
from which he expands:
let all you know flow through like a river, those waters will irrigate future minds, their ideas will blossom, you'll have played a vital, sustaining part in that growth.
via Reach Out/Ask Questions: Jim Mortram's Dos and Don'ts (*) at Colin Pantall's blog (*).

Standing on a Corner - Grand Theft Auto - George Street / Sydney (Fri 11 Oct 2013)

Standing on a Corner - Grand Theft Auto - George Street (*) / Sydney (Fri 11 Oct 3013)

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Standing on a Corner - George Street / Sydney (Mon 21 Oct 2013)

Standing on a Corner - Street Portrait (Hands) - George Street (*) / Sydney (Mon 21 Oct 2013)

Joel Meyerowitz (*) talks about Street Photography (*):
when people gather on the corner, you never know if something is going to happen.
via Joel Meyerowitz - Street Photography (YouTube) (*) by Joel Meyerowitz (*).

He is right. Every time I stand at a corner, there is always something going on. This is my favourite corner not far from my workplace.The camera is in my pocket so it always comes out around here.

The above quote from the video by Joel Meyerowitz has been quite formative and has helped inspire me to take a lot of photos at this intersection (*) and elsewhere.

Standing on a Corner - George Street (*) / Sydney (Mon 21 Oct 2013)

Monday, October 21, 2013

On The Sydney Opera House - Juliana Engberg / Guardian (Thu 17 Oct 2013)

lines, lights, reflections and details - Sydney Opera House (Tue 31 Jul 2001)

Juliana Engberg (*) writes about The Sydney Opera House (*):
We need only look at the beautiful photographic studies of Wolfgang Seivers, Max Dupain and David Moore to see, through their lens, the gorgeous lines, lights, reflections and details of this magnificent structure.
via Sydney Opera House, the grand beating heart of the harbour city, is 40 (*) by Juliana Engberg (*).

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Happy 40th Birthday - Sydney Opera House (Sun 20 Oct 2013)

A few hours before - Sydney Opera House (Mon 10 Sep 2001)

With my first digital camera, I spent many an afternoon or evening after work taking photos of the Sydney Opera House. Today is the 40th Birthday of her opening. Seems to be a week of celebrations ahead, so I will look into the archives to see what I can find and post them here.

Den Lille havfrue - The Little Mermaid - Copenhagen (Fri 23 Aug 2013)

Den lille Havfrue - The Little Mermaid - Copenhagen (Fri 23 Aug 2013)

From The Little Mermaid (*):
The sun rose out of the sea (*), its rays felt warm and soft on the deathly cold foam. But the little mermaid did not feel death, she saw the sun (*), and up above her floated hundreds of airy, transparent forms. [..]
She is then told:
We carry the smell of flowers that refresh and heal the sick.
The flowers placed on her lap were such a nice touch.

I did not see all of this in the photo I made as the sun rose on The Statue's 100th Birthday, but I do now.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

On Your Path in Life - Richard Glover / Spectrum (Sat 19 Oct 2013)

Two Doors (not too far apart) - Barcelona (Mon 05 Aug 2013)

Richard Glover (*) writes On Your Path in Life (*):
the closed doors (*) determine your path in life as firmly as those that open.
via Fail and all your dreams might just come true (*) by Richard Glover (*).

Friday, October 18, 2013

On Friends - Anastasia Taylor-Lind - Colin Pantall's blog (Fri 18 Oct 1013)

Uwe, Olja and Geoff - Herford (*) / Germany (Tue 20 Aug 2013)

Anastasia Taylor-Lind (*) writes On Friends (*):
Have a stable of friends and colleagues [..] these people can give you enough encouragement (*), motivation (*) and self-belief (*) to plough on and develop ..
via Dos and Don'ts of Anastasia Taylor-Lind (*) on Colin Pantall's blog (*).

Had the pleasure of meeting up with Uwe again after 13 years, and also to meet Olja for the first time. Thank you, you were great hosts.

It was nice to recount some old memories - Uwe was the driving force behind some amazing projects, back in the early days of open-source software in the Eiffel World - the eljeiffel project (this blog was a long dormant result of the project). I still use some of the resulting software tools and programing concepts on a daily basis.

It was great to talk about what has happened in the intervening years since we last met, as well as what is happening in our lives now, along with our future hopes.

I look forward to you being my guests sometime in the near future.

On Letting Go - Jorg Colberg (Fri 18 Oct 2013)

Untitled - Barcelona (Tue 06 Aug 2013)

Jorg Colberg (*) writes On Letting Go (*) of some things:
Imperfections (*), embracing chance (*), living with limited amounts of control (*) – they have a lot to offer for those willing to work with them.
via Photobook Reviews (Week 42/2013) (*) by Conscientious Photography Magazine (*).

Thursday, October 17, 2013

On Doubts, Frustrations and Moving Forward - Luca Sage - Colin Pantall blog (Thu 17 Oct 2013))

Untitled - Budapest (Tue 16 Jul 2013)

Luca Sage (*) writes On Doubts, Frustrations and Moving Forward:
Don’t give up when you feel down about your work. [..] Everyone experiences doubts (*) and frustrations (*) and lows along the way – I think what sets some people apart is the ability to keep the faith (*), pick themselves up, find new ways forward (*) and move on.
via Say Thank You: Ciara Leeming 's Dos and Don'ts (*) at Colin Pantall blog (*).

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

On Denmark - Prince Frederick - Spectrum (Sat 12 Oct 2013)

Betty and Jo - Amalienborg Palace / Copenhagen (Sat 24 Aug 2013)

Following a recent survey that Danish people emerged as the happiest in the world, Prince Frederick (*) comments On Denmark (*) as to possible how's:
A secure life, and a well developed social system; not many people fall through the net. And shared values, I would say; [a] sense of equality
via True romance (*) by Jane Wheatley (*).

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Dr Ray Seidler - Kings Cross Clinic / Sydney (Mon 21 Dec 2009)

Dr Raymond Seidler - Kings Cross Clinic (*) / Sydney (Mon 21 Dec 2009)

Today I was saddened to learn of the unexpected death (*) of Dr Raymond Seidler (*) on Thu 25 Jul 2013. He was 61 years old and always looked 15 years younger, no matter his age.

Ray was my GP for 24 years and was always there for me. I loved the diversity of his practice and patients, and he helped me through some challenging times in my life as well as all the little things that require the hand and advice of a Doctor.

We shared an interest in photography and he always had a few moments to talk about the latest digital camera and for us to view a few of the others photos on his desktop computer on his surgery desk.

His father was a professional photographer and Ray had a glass display cabinet full of old cameras in his surgery.

The camera shown above was his Father's. He picked this camera to show me, as he was touched by the hand written notes, made by his Father, on the inside of the camera case (just below his right hand). The notes related to reminders about exposure correction details, I seem to recall. He was more than happy to pose for this photograph.

He was also an earlier adopter of the latest gadget or technology and was a prolific writer (*) and commentator on a diverse range of issues.

I will miss him as my Doctor and as a person I could trust and confide. My thoughts are with his Family in particular, as well as his Friends and Colleagues.

Thank you Ray.

Monday, October 14, 2013

On Constraint and Design - Kevin McCloud - SMH Spectrum (Sat 12 Oct 2013)

The eljeiffel House - Handover Day - Alexandria (Mon 14 Oct 2013)

Kevin McCloud (*) writes On Design (*):
When you're in a hole with no money, you have to be creative (*).
He astutely adds:
Money is an enemy of good design (*) because it stops people thinking (*)
via Broken dreams and home truths (*) by Andrew Taylor (*).

The same can be said when working with a small space. It forces good design and it amazing to watch a great architect (thanks Kerry) create space out of nowhere.

A new life starts today for a beautiful old house that is just on 106 years old. The space is small but it feels big.

This project was something I had never planned for, but life always presents challenges and opportunities we can't predetermine, one of the beauties of life, if you chose it to be.

Once the decision was made, a lot of thought, planning and effort has been put in to get to this point.

While it is a little sad to see bits of the old go, it feels the right thing to do and it is exciting to bring new life to a solid foundation.

May we, who have accepted this challenge and opportunity, be blessed with good fortune to make it happen with a smile on our face.

Looking forward to the 7 month transition that will give you the opportunity to provide another 100 years of sanctuary to whoever seeks haven under your roof.

Let the renovations begin.

On being Touched - Peter Kool - Eric Kim Street Photography (Fri 04 Oct 2013)

Pedestrian Crossing - Osterport / Copenhagen (Fri 23 Aug 2013)

Peter Kool (*) writes On being Touched (*) and Street Photography (*):
a photo has to touch (*) you. It has to evoke some kind of emotion (*); astonishment (*) for different reasons.
via Variety is the Spice of Life: Interview with Peter Kool (*) by Eric Kim (*).

I tried so hard to make a good photo of this intersection. It is one of a kind - the colours of a rainbow.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Robin - York Cameras (London) - 18 Bury Lane / London (Sat 17 Aug 2013)

Robin - York Cameras (London) (*) - 18 Bury Lane / London (Sat 17 Aug 2013)

Friday, October 4, 2013

Why Why? - Chantel Tattoli

Untilted - Barcelona / Spain (Tue 06 Aug 2013)

Expanding on an earlier post (*), Chantel Tattoli (*) writes on the importantance of understanding (*) Why:
Why? Why would someone do that?

Why is the slippery question cultural anthropologists are always trying to get at.

As a rule of thumb, if we do not get why, we probably don’t understand (*) the perspective (*).

The thing to do is try to see yourself in the other peoples’ shoes, because from the perspective of the Other’s shoes, their behavior should make more sense.

This is the golden rule. Even when it’s hard.

I paraphrase the late anthropologist Clifford Geertz To understand, isn’t to forgive (*).
via The Anthropology of the Little Mermaid (*) by Chantel Tattoli (*).

Thanks Chantel, some great thoughts in your words.

If you look, really look, you will always find something you weren't expecting. Even if you can't figure why, you might just be a bit more understanding.
Untilted (Detail) - Barcelona / Spain (Tue 06 Aug 2013)

On Performance - Mark Seymour / Hunters and Collectors (Fri 04 Dec 2013)

Untitled - Barcelona (Tue 06 Aug 2013)

Mark Seymour (*) from Hunters and Collectors (*) writes On Performance (*):
Each time we've come together, it's fallen into place quickly without a struggle (*). When it happens, it's just big. You've got to relax (*) with it; you can't question it, because it's just this forward pressure (*) that keeps pushing all the time.
via Kings of the road (*) by Craig Mathieson (*).

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

On Nostalgia and Retromania - RoughType / Nicolas Carr (Wed 02 Oct 2013)

Untitled - Split / Croatia (Tue 30 Jul 2013)

Nicholas Carr (*) writes On Nostalgia (*) and Retromania (*):
nostalgia (*) is rooted in a sense of the past (*) as past, retromania stems from a sense of the past as present.
via I believe in yesterday (*) by Nicholas Carr (*).

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

On Branching - Divergence and Convergence - Bertrand Meyer (Tue 01 Oct 2013)

Untitled - Hvar / Croatia (Wed 31 Jul 2013)

Bertrand Meyer (*) writes on the difficulties associated with branching (software development specially, but it could be any human endeavour):
the emergence of separate lines of development with the expectation (*) that they will be merged back later on, is to guarantee disaster.

It is easy to diverge, but hard to converge; not only hard, but unpredictable.
via The laws of branching (part 1) (*) by Bertrand Meyer (*.