1.8
Peedy
I have passed Peedy a number of times going in opposite directions but he always seemed busy so I didn't want to disturb him. It's no wonder, I found out he is a personal trainer and is a push up monster. Luckily, he was walking on Tuesday so I got to have a short chat and take some photos.
Nilu - like all dogs makes for a difficult model as dogs never keep still and it's really easy for their long noses to distract your camera's AF points and put the eyes out of focus. One or two shots focused on a dog's nostrils is ok but not when you want to nail it right on the eyes and capture their emotions.
I have my camera set to switch to one point AF on the central focus point and go for servo focus to get the focus where I want it and adjust to small movements. It might help to say "sausages" too but results are inconclusive.
A beautiful day for being out in the sunshine
Slack Lining (despite how this picture looks, he was not falling but actually bouncing on the line)
Slack lining is one of those modern sporty pastimes I have seen being performed in parks a lot recently. It's curious and obviously must be good for exercise, balance and body conditioning but I have never understood how you actually do it. Let alone, what happens if you fall off when the elastic rope is just tight enough to rob your of any offspring should you land the wrong way. Chatting to Nico was enlightening and watching him bouncing up and down, turning around and maintaining his balance was really impressive for somebody who has only been doing it as a hobby. I can't say I would feel comfortable giving it a go yet but at least I have a greater appreciation of the skill. Maybe I can get my son to try it out...
I can't say how glad I am to meet the same person again, especially when they dress this well every day! In a sea of jeans and off the shelf high street clothing, a well-made suit and coordinated look stands out like a lighthouse!
Sharp!
Luckily, I didn't feel quite as bad about myself today, at least I am wearing shoes.
Drum and plates
shy for a street performer
Seeing Iliya beating out some captivating rhythms on the street took me back to the first time I saw a street summer performing on pots and pans in New Orleans. It's amazing the amount of sounds that can be gotten out of a plastic tub and some old saucepan lids. Iliya told me he picked them up from hostels while he has been touring Europe. I always take street performer signs with a pinch of salt but I believed him when he said he's saving for a real drum kit so he can go to university to study music. With his talent it shouldn't take him long.
Sometimes I struggle to find someone to take a photo of. One day I might feel less confident, other days I can't find the person who is close enough to the image I have in my head, and sometimes a person walks past and it takes a couple of seconds before I realised I actually did want to ask if I could take that person's photo, but by then the moment is gone...
Banking style
But when I see someone this sharply dressed, there's no hesitation! The only downside being after taking a photo of somebody this stylish, I look at what I'm wearing and cry inside.
http://www.v-d-blokk.de
Was lucky to go to an indoor Christmas market this weekend and get a quick family portrait done which is really cool and unique by V.D. Blokk.
The artist at work!
