http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/ en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:11:40 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.mu-43.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/happy-auckland-nz-anniversary-last-monday-2484/ Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:51:05 GMT

I have been lurking around, having holidays in January and working as hard as I can to finish my masters now, so haven't had much chance to take photos...

Hopefully I will get more chance to use my camera in March :smile:. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/happy-auckland-nz-anniversary-last-monday-2484/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-67-attempt-b-w-flower-2399/ Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:08:46 GMT

I can't seem to get it right... ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-67-attempt-b-w-flower-2399/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-65-66-beaches-dolphins-2396/ Mon, 06 Dec 2010 02:44:32 GMT I went swimming with dolphins last weekend, and traveled along the beaches on the west and east coast north of Auckland (New Zealand). Beach on... I went swimming with dolphins last weekend, and traveled along the beaches on the west and east coast north of Auckland (New Zealand).

Beach on the west:


Dolphins:




Beach on the east:




Most of the shots were shot at 14mm with the kit, some with the 45-200mm. The 20mm stayed unused. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-65-66-beaches-dolphins-2396/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-64-roll-copper-2391/ Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:13:16 GMT ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-64-roll-copper-2391/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-63-bright-summer-2386/ Sun, 28 Nov 2010 05:42:57 GMT

Taken with G2 and pp in LR3. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-63-bright-summer-2386/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/g2-vs-e-pl1-evf-one-keep-2384/ Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:23:22 GMT I have been busy so haven't had a chance to post for my PAD, but I am having a dilemma at the moment that I hope to get some opinions on.

This is a completely unscientific test for me, so I can decide which camera to keep (I got the G2 twin lens kit for a reasonable price and will be keeping the 45-200mm). Oh, I had the GF1 before I replaced it with the E-PL1.

This was shot with 20mm @f/1.7, 1/10s, ISO800, RAW with default LR3 conversion. Click on them for higher/full resolution.

G2


E-PL1 with EVF and IS


This kind of lighting is situation that I can find myself in (i.e. indoor under questionable tungsten lighting), and is probably most challenging for the cameras.

What I notice:

• AF is slightly faster with G2 (with or without AF assist), enough so to be annoying on the E-PL1.
• The EVF's are about equal, slightly in favour of the Olympus, but not a decider by any means.
• WB is better on the G2, but that can be tweaked.
• Ergonomics is about the same in my smaller hands.
• IS on the Olympus made the shot possible handheld. The G2 can't match that.
• The G2 is a better camera feature-wise, especially for touch-screen and videos (past experience from GF1).
• Battery life is most likely much better on the G2 (again experience from GF1).
• Panasonic gives me a more fun camera, but doesn't work when I want to shoot indoor.

Why can't everything be perfect? I can't afford to keep both unfortunately. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/g2-vs-e-pl1-evf-one-keep-2384/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-62-smile-2354/ Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:09:49 GMT

Taken while we were slacklining. Some lens do grow on you the more use it (KH 40mm f/1.8) in this case. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-62-smile-2354/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-61-slacklining-2341/ Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:27:59 GMT

The photo could be more exciting, but I will get more chances through out summer! ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-61-slacklining-2341/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-60-kanon-canon-d-2336/ Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:58:19 GMT

Hey all,

I have been caught up with things for a while and didn't like any of my photos, so I haven't been posting. Though I hope to continue my PAD now that the summer weather is awesome here!

Please continue to bare with my newbie-ness,
hmpws ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-60-kanon-canon-d-2336/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-59-underwater-station-legos-2288/ Sat, 09 Oct 2010 12:06:11 GMT

This was taken at a friend's house. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-59-underwater-station-legos-2288/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-58-muriwai-gannet-colony-2275/ Sun, 03 Oct 2010 12:16:20 GMT

I notice that all my photos eventually become landscape photos instead of birds + landscape (without the emphasis on the birds..) :frown:.

This was taken during sunset. To capture the birds without blowing the highlights was a little difficult. Any suggestions on how to expose the photo better would be great!

I took this with EV bracketing, so I can possibly make a exposure blending photo when I get time. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-58-muriwai-gannet-colony-2275/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-57-bokeh-flower-2263/ Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:06:57 GMT

You can still have bokeh on :43:. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-57-bokeh-flower-2263/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-56-point-sky-2258/ Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:38:26 GMT

(With a little bit of humour that didn't come out too well.. maybe I got the exposure wrong?)



(Edit: Added another photo in case, you really can't tell from the 1st one..) ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-56-point-sky-2258/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-55-spiral-staircase-2254/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:16:09 GMT

Looking at it on my computer, I didn't get the perspective quite center and "perpendicular". Maybe I have to go back and take another one sometimes.

P.S. I haven't had time to look at other people's PAD lately :frown:. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-55-spiral-staircase-2254/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-54-above-clouds-2237/ Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:30:26 GMT I have been busy, so haven't been on here much. Here is a photo though.



(Update: Made some changes in LR)



I am not quite sure how to caption this. The photo fits my mood. I am a little tired and the night is cold, but that moon is just so alluring.

Note-to-self: This was taken handheld with ISO1600 with Hexanon 40mm @f/4. I held back on the noise reduction. It would have been nice if I could have shot this at ISO800, then I can get away with a little NR without destroying the silhouette. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-54-above-clouds-2237/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-53-bench-nice-little-garden-2199/ Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:27:31 GMT

I discovered this place a bit off from a busy road. A nice thing about having a PAD is that you sometimes discover interesting places quite close to home. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-53-bench-nice-little-garden-2199/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-52-lens-flare-2187/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:47:52 GMT

This was taken on the way home. It looked cool on the camera, but turned out less exciting on the computer. The B&W seems to give it a little more punch.

]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-52-lens-flare-2187/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-51-actual-snowy-tramp-photo-essay-alert-2179/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:13:09 GMT I have been hard at work, so I have not had the opportunity to take photos today. I thought it would nice to share a few photos from my recent... I have been hard at work, so I have not had the opportunity to take photos today.

I thought it would nice to share a few photos from my recent trip:



This photo was taken in the morning when the roads were still closed (the sky needs fixing). We were going up Tongariro (the snowy mountain to the right).

The pointy mountain in the distance is Ngauruhoe. There is another mountain called Ruapehu (not on this photo). They are the only snow covered places on the north island of New Zealand usually.



After a 2 hours tramp from the base carpark, we were greeted with this view at Ketetahi hut on Tongariro.



Our group had a "Summit Luncheon", which was a full on costumed lunch party. The theme was 'James Bond'.



After lunch, we put on our jackets again and did some relatively more serious alpining; treading through snow and ice for about 1.5 hours to Emerald Lake, which was frozen and unfortunately not marble green like it would be in summer. We headed back down to the hut for dinner and stayed the night before heading down.

The trip was not a serious tramp per say, since the Luncheon was always intended to be the highlight. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-51-actual-snowy-tramp-photo-essay-alert-2179/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-50-before-snowy-tramp-2174/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:12:16 GMT

I got back from my tramping (hiking) and climbing trip yesterday. Here is the first of my shots, please see Flickr for a more detailed description.

The local photography store still hasn't gotten the VF-2 to me (it has been delayed for a month now), so I could hardly compose in the bright snowy conditions sadly. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-50-before-snowy-tramp-2174/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-49-fallen-petals-2139/ Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:27:18 GMT
(Taken with Cosmicar/Pentax 25mm f/1.4. Default LR conversion)

The photo is probably a bit too tight for my liking.

Here's another one:


The lens is turning into my favourite lens because it is small and produces nice colours, just a joy to shoot with. Now if only it doesn't vignet (only covers 16:9 fully), and I am still waiting for my VF-2 to arrive. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-49-fallen-petals-2139/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-48-carmen-my-violin-2132/ Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:04:06 GMT

I found my old violin and got it restrung. I don't think I have ever named it, or realised there was a name on the bridge before. 'Carmen' is written on there, may as well name it that.

Now I have to get it retuned and start playing again. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-48-carmen-my-violin-2132/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-47-spring-yet-2128/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:47:05 GMT
Some PP in LR (mainly to change the background hue)

It is close to the end of winter, but still quite cold here. I saw the flower blooming on the way home, so that got me hoping for spring to come.

Can people please let me know if they see the background as green/yellow-ish or red-ish (I see different colours in LR and in Firefox, but I am also red-green colourblind.)? ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-47-spring-yet-2128/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-46-tom-2126/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:19:41 GMT

Tom bought me back a c-mount Cosmicar/Pentax 25mm f/1.4. This is the first shot to see how well it fits. The colours look nice to my eyes (shot in RAW and straight out of LR)! ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-46-tom-2126/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-45-after-rain-2109/ Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:07:36 GMT

It has been raining a lot here in Auckland lately, but this weekend seems to be good for once. I took the photo early in the morning when I left home.



P.S. My E-PL1 with case (it is the budget one mentioned on the forum before), also comes with a top part. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-45-after-rain-2109/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-44-its-been-while-2098/ Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:41:54 GMT

I have had a bit of a break, wondering about a lot of things (photography or not; a little bit of identity crisis and wandering in life). The case for my E-PL1 has just arrived today, so it kind of made me starting taking photos again.

My subject today is a nice bottle of Korean Raspberry wine. This makes a nice circle coming back to the Cheery wine, which I posted near the beginning of my PAD. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-44-its-been-while-2098/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-43-action-shot-2018/ Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:35:09 GMT ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-43-action-shot-2018/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-42-angled-perspective-2012/ Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:11:45 GMT I was taking some photos with a friend last night, and she told me that all of my photos were very "composed". What she probably meant was that I shot straight all the time, and I think she was right. It is a reflection of my personality I guess.

Hence, today's photo (taken yesterday) is an attempt to shoot from an angled perspective, I really like this one in particular. It is probably not the most "perfect" shot, but the way the lines spiral in reminds me of the "golden section".



Ironically, here is my first shot on the next day (i.e. today):


And an angled perspectives probably won't always work either:
]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-42-angled-perspective-2012/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-41-lonely-crane-2006/ Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:16:26 GMT

This is the same crane as day 37, I am just drawn to it for some reason.

Below are a few that are not in my PAD, but they were taken during the same stroll (perhaps more colourful):





All were taken with 57mm Konica Hexanon f/1.4 (@f/1.4, hence the glow). ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-41-lonely-crane-2006/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-40-fake-tilt-shift-i-e-diorama-1999/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:56:13 GMT

Taken with Konica Hexanon 40mm f/1.8.. (not that good of a photo by a long shot)

Continuing my obsession with tilt-shift, I tried free lensing with the 40mm Konica Hexanon instead of the 57mm today. I couldn't focus far when I was tilting with the lens removed from the mount adapter. The extra distance acted like an extension tube.

I didn't dare to tilt without the adapter because the tab on rear of the lens might scratch the sensor. Then it occurred to me, that I should try a lens from another mount with a longer flange distance with the Konica adapter. I tried the Minolta MD zoom 35-70mm f/3.5. It sort of worked. f/3.5 did not give me the bokeh I wanted but that's progress for another day. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-40-fake-tilt-shift-i-e-diorama-1999/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-39-innovative-1994/ Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:27:14 GMT

I was trying to do some free lens tilt-shift, which didn't work because I couldn't focus with 1 hand on the lens and the other on the camera... (If anyone has any experience, I would love to hear it.)

The above is a shot I got normally. Lens was Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.4. I am kind of surprised at how much better the grip is on the E-PL1 than the GF-1 actually. The focus is still off however. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-39-innovative-1994/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-38-feeling-uneasiness-1985/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:43:20 GMT

I am trying to get a certain feeling across in the photo (and maybe a little hungover from last night). I am not sure if this works, maybe it came out as more of an unknown or a mystery than "uneasy". ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-38-feeling-uneasiness-1985/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-37-you-see-yet-you-dont-see-1974/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:58:05 GMT

Leaving that to your interpretation. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-37-you-see-yet-you-dont-see-1974/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-36-little-bit-tron-1969/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:18:38 GMT

Kind of like how it turned out... I am starting to like 16:9 more and more...

At Brian's suggestion :biggrin::

]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-36-little-bit-tron-1969/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-35-quick-test-1954/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:23:53 GMT

The IS is about 3(2?) stops effectiveness with the 20mm pancake... pretty good :biggrin:... (1/5s to 1/2s SS was usable handheld. Before, with the GF1 it was about 1/20s to 1/15s.)



It looked kind of sharp on the LCD, but 1.6s was probably too much.. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-35-quick-test-1954/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-34-e-pl1-has-arrived-d-1946/ Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:43:13 GMT After waiting for what seemed like eternity (2 weeks?), my new E-PL1 has arrived to replace my GF-1:



I can't wait to find my way around the camera and starts taking photos! ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-34-e-pl1-has-arrived-d-1946/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-31-32-act-circus-trying-abstract-1881/ Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:59:22 GMT

This was taken (with the GF1) last Sunday when I went to a local circus.

I was more intent on enjoying the show rather than taking photos, so the few photos that I did take didn't turn out that good. Though I particularly like this photo because the 2 kids (brothers?) in the bottom left corner seem so absorbed with the act.



Taken with the D700 (the camera has way too many buttons, and I still can't turn AutoISO off), caption:

"Stretching Horizons $3,000" - a precise scientific instrument for stretching membranes... (or a work of art)

I was trying to be abstract with this one, though it didn't turn out that way. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-31-32-act-circus-trying-abstract-1881/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-30-finger-itch-1863/ Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:05:39 GMT

Taken with a D700 at my lab (I don't own it).

I have just sold my GF1 and am waiting for the E-PL1 to arrive (in 2 weeks time). My fingers itched so I had to take a photo.

The GF1 was my first camera, so I never really know how "easy" taking photos can be until I tried to D700. I had my hands on Canon 450Ds and so on before and they never really blew me away.

All in all though, it is too heavy and expensive for me :eek:. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-30-finger-itch-1863/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-29-rugby-post-illuminated-low-winter-sun-1861/ Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:47:32 GMT

Yeah, I am not exactly good with titles :eek:. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-29-rugby-post-illuminated-low-winter-sun-1861/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-27-walk-down-well-lit-alley-1817/ Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:22:27 GMT

as opposed to say down a dark creepy one:

]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-27-walk-down-well-lit-alley-1817/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-26-failure-pre-dawn-crescent-moon-1812/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:55:17 GMT

I mainly wanted to capture the beauty of the crescent moon before dawn, but kind of failed :frown:. I only had my 20mm on me, oh well, I will try again next month. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-26-failure-pre-dawn-crescent-moon-1812/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-25-train-station-where-you-cant-take-photos-1808/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:02:23 GMT

In the photo, a security guard came and escorted me from the train station, because they saw me on their surveillance system taking photos.

He was a really nice guy. I was kind of puzzled and lost at the time. When I questioned further about why I was not allowed, he told me that I would simply have to fill in a form at their head office (at another train station). Then I would be able come back and take photos to my content.

Now this was weird. It was a public place and there were no "no photo/camera" signs erected anywhere.

I am pretty sure another member of the forum have come across a similar situation though? ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-25-train-station-where-you-cant-take-photos-1808/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-24-glass-house-cafe-night-1770/ Sun, 04 Jul 2010 07:24:13 GMT

As the title suggests, the cafe is built from see-through glass walls. I was drawn in by the pretty lights and glass (along with the emptiness of the cafe).

The image kind of fails because the reflections came out too distracting. Probably something to try my hands on again another time. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-24-glass-house-cafe-night-1770/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-23-construction-site-night-1764/ Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:54:08 GMT

I don't usually hang walk around at night (not in this direction anyway) and took a quick shot on my way to a friend's 21st birthday.

I skipped day 22 by the way, it was too boring in my opinion. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-23-construction-site-night-1764/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-21-night-view-my-lab-1732/ Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:24:34 GMT I am staying late working on some project, may as well make the most of the lonely opportunity :redface::

]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-21-night-view-my-lab-1732/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-20-how-take-photo-rainbow-1723/ Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:22:45 GMT These photos were taken yesterday, because I am simply stuck in my lab doing work today.





I saw the biggest and roundest rainbow in between showers (I was running for cover, which is maybe why I don't have a perfect shot). I don't like either of the composition, but the rainbow simply went straight over my head.

How would you compose for this? I had all my lenses on me, the widest being the 14-45mm kit. ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-20-how-take-photo-rainbow-1723/ http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-19-sunrise-1707/ Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:26:05 GMT

A sunrise from top of One Tree Hill (i.e. a hill) overlooking Rangitoto island (on the left side). The weather is really rainy these days, so I have been waiting for an opportunity for a while now.

This is actually a HDR image because I felt that it would hard to get the feel across without enough dynamic range in the photo.

I actually had a PAD on flickr for a bit before I realise that I can post here (hence Day 19 in the title). ]]> hmpws http://www.mu-43.com/blogs/hmpws/day-19-sunrise-1707/