Haryo's Photoblog

November 9, 2008

Idyll

Filed under: Rants — Tags: , , , , , , , — Haryo Sukmawanto @ 1:50 am

Standing by the lake, I occasionally enjoy the little moments in life, when you feel alive. Alive because you feel. There just seems to be nothing better to do during the autumn than just to stop for a minute and listen. Why is it that the cold chases us indoors when it’s the best moment to go outside and stop time for a second.

Standing by the lake, I let every little sound flow. The rustle of leaves, the water rushing against the banks, the occasional person walking his dog, the wind, even the incessant highway nearby. I stare at the once mundane, now beautiful sights. The ducks landing, the moving trees, the water, the sailboats. I savor the wind blowing in my hair, the rain patting my face.

At night, when I can’t sleep, I’d open my backdoor and just stand. A bustling neighborhood at day, there is a dead feeling. I hear the wind roar and the sound of leaves falling. I hear mice rustling around. In my mind, a band is singing and I can’t help but smile. That’s when you feel alive. Nothing can compare. Just take a minute, stop, and enjoy the simple sights and sounds. Let the world go on for its infinite search for beauty and perfection, and let the imperfect pieces of life fit together like a puzzle.

October 20, 2008

Stuck

Filed under: Pictures, Rants — Tags: , , , — Haryo Sukmawanto @ 6:07 pm

Ever been in a rut, thinking you’re stuck where you are and that it seems impossible to improve, not because you’re the best. No, because you think you can’t do better. I’ve had that feeling for some time now. Don’t know why. My last picture accepted by StampMedia is over a month ago, but then again, I haven’t done that many things lately aside Dam Davert, but it seems none of my pictures are online. Oh well, more reason to improve.

And as for restarting this blog? Just something to do I guess.

Anyways, there are some things I sometimes notice browsing the flickrs of other people. Lots of people would upload up to ten pictures of the same thing, only slightly different. To me, I’d upload around four to five pictures of one single event or subject. Maybe I should lighten up and stop being so critical of myself.

Before I show my photo’s, I need to give a shoutout to someone. Karen, aka theviewfromtheafternoon, manages to do what I can’t do with my DSLR. Awesome colours, creative portraits.  All that with a bridge camera. Impressive, isn’t it?

Anyways, to my lacklustre pictures. In Antwerp, there was quite a majestic ship moored on our docks. The Christian Radich, a Norse three-master. Probably one of my first tries to stay in series, I actually got three shots of it. :O

If underexposed, it was by very little. It was actually quite grim outside, so thats why this unfortunately dark shot. Im sending a bumped up version to StampMedia though. It looks a bit better, but somehow I like the look of the darker version.

If underexposed, it was by very little. It was actually quite grim outside, so that's why this unfortunately dark shot. I'm sending a bumped up version to StampMedia though. It looks a bit better, but somehow I like the look of the darker version.

HDR Composite of the ship. The best recieved photo of the trio. The cut-off bow however is annoying the hell out of me. If only I noticed it there.

HDR Composite of the ship. The best recieved photo of the trio. The cut-off bow however is annoying the hell out of me. If only I noticed it there.

One of the ships mast

One of the ship's mast

August 19, 2008

Intro

Filed under: Rants — Haryo Sukmawanto @ 9:25 pm

I never thought of writing a regular blog, especially not one about my pictures. I’d occasionally write something like a quip of random depression, but to attempt something regular? My previous attempts at having a regular blog didn’t even crash and burn. They just caught fire when I turned on the ignition.

So why start now? Well, I was read Artur Eranosian’s blog and I thought to myself, maybe I shouldn’t be shoving my pictures in people’s faces and F5-ing for comments, but to take my time and and talk about those pictures. Also, after several months of eager saving and waiting, I finally received my new lenses which have brought new life in my pictures: The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L and 85mm f/1.8.

Thanks to the exchange rate between the dollar and euro, I actually saved around €300. Shipping rates included, both lenses cost my dad and me €700. In Belgium, the 17-40mm alone costs €700. So I like to think I got quite a deal.

Naturally, the problem is support. If one of my lenses turned out to be defect, it’d be hard to determine where it went wrong. Was it a faulty lens to begin with or did someone not take care of it very well during shipping? Would Canon Europe take care of an American lens or do I have to pay extra to have it fixed. No minor trifles that can be shrugged.
Luckily, despite a delay of three weeks, both of the lenses have arrived in perfect condition. I can find no faults in them yet and they’re holding up very well. I was afraid for some backfocus in the 17-40mm, but even at 100%, crops look delightfully sharp.

Anyways, what’s a photoblag without photo’s?

No deeper meaning here. I just took my camera on a stroll yesterday. Some post-processing to greyscale it and heighten the contrasts. I don't think I have any regrets yet of choosing the 17-40mm as my new walkaround lens.

A handy tip for shooting graffiti is to give it a context. Graffiti in itself isnt interesting. Its just a picture of someone elses work. In this case, the graffiti was an interesting quote from Neurtal Milk Hotel. I waited until someone exited the store next door. By chance he looked at me.

A handy tip for shooting graffiti is to give it a context. Graffiti in itself isn't interesting. It's just a picture of someone else's work. In this case, the graffiti was an interesting quote from Neurtal Milk Hotel. I waited until someone exited the store next door. By chance he looked at me and had a nice facial expression that fit with the graffiti.

Taken with the 85mm. Awesome DoF

Taken with the 85mm. Awesome DoF

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