Having just bought flights to the USA for a cross country road trip later this year I started looking back at a few old photos from when I was last over there. For the summer trip we'll be driving from San Francisco towards Chicago and then on to the East coast. With only two and a half weeks to complete the trip it should certainly be interesting.
Canon 400D, EFS 17- 85mm f/4 - 5.6 IS USM; 38mm, f/11, 1/125, ISO 00
During our latest trip to Niseko, Japan, we went out with Black Diamond Lodge on a couple of back country tours. The tour involved being picked up at 8am and heading out into the Niseko countryside to find exciting places to ski. We skied a number of locations, all of which involved hiking or skinning (walking uphill on skis) as well as avoiding the police where necessary.
The most memorable moments were when we got to take on the avalanche barriers. We skied two different sets of avi barriers but the latter were by far the biggest - looking at a 3m drop. Definitely an interesting experience and I can't wait to go back and try it all over again!
Canon 5D MK III, EF 70 - 200mm f/4 L IS; 200mm, f/9, 1/160, ISO 100
Before we left Hong Kong for skiing in Niseko, Japan, I took a walk around Stanley. That day we made it to the Stanley World War II Memorial, a site dedicated to the hundreds people who lost their lives during WWII, civilian and military alike.
It is a very peaceful place and although, depressing as it is positing a photo of graves, the site is very well kept and makes for some interesting shots.
So, although taking photos of the interesting people around the races was a lot of fun we also managed to take plenty of ourselves. The camera was passed around between us all and I reckon there are a couple of keepers.
Canon 5D MK III, 70mm - 200mm EF f/4L IS; 200mm, f/13, 1/200, ISO 640
Canon 5D MK III, 70mm - 200mm EF f/4L IS; 106mm, f/13, 1/200, ISO 500
Canon 5D MK III, 70mm - 200mm EF f/4L IS; 81mm, f/8, 1/200, ISO 320
Canon 5D MK III, 70mm - 200mm EF f/4L IS; 200mm, f/8, 1/200, ISO 640
Canon 5D MK III, 16mm - 35mm EF f/2.8L II; 30mm, f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100
Canon 5D MK III, 16 - 35mmmm EF f/2.8L II; 30mm, f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 100, o.67ev
Canon 5D MK III, 16 - 35mmmm EF f/2.8L II; 35mm, f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 100, 0.67ev
Canon 5D MK III, 16 - 35mm EF f/2.8L II; 22mm, f/11, 1/300, ISO 320, 0.67ev
Canon 5D MK III, 16 - 35mm EF f/2.8L II; 34mm, f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 100, 0.67ev
It doesn't happen often, to be honest I don't even remember the last time the races were in Happy Valley on a weekend, however last Sunday a group of us headed down to Happy Valley to enjoy the rare occasion. It turned out to be the first proper day of spring in Hong Kong with with clear skies and warm weather it was a Sunday to enjoy.
Gambling on horse races is a favourite pastime of local Hong Kongers and the races always provides a fantastic opportunity for people watching. The camera was passed around and we enjoyed snapping away as the races unfolded - below is a small selection, I'll be posting more in the future
Canon 5D MK III, EF 70 - 200mm f/4 L IS; 165mm, f/8, 1/200, ISO 320
Canon 5D MK III, EF 70 - 200mm f/4 L IS; 135mm, f/11, 1/125, ISO 100
Canon 5D MK III, EF 70 - 200mm f/4 L IS; 165mm, f/11, 1/125, ISO 100
Canon 5D MK III, EF 70 - 200mm f/4 L IS, 200mm, f/10, 1/200, ISO 320
Chinese temples always have something photo worthy happening whenever you visit and this trip was no different. In the middle there was a huge fire pit where loads of papers and random other stuff was being thrown away to burn - I'm not sure why this incense coil was being burnt off however it made for an interesting shot.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market (東京都中央卸売市場 Tōkyō-to Chūō Oroshiuri Shijō), commonly known as the Tsukiji Market (築地市場 Tsukiji shijō), is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. (source Wikipedia).
It was a cool boxing day when we made our way over to the famous fish market and although very early in the morning we missed out on much of the bargaining that we had looked to encounter. Still, the whole market, biggest I've ever been to, was a hive of activity and made for an interesting spectacle.
Canon 7D, EF 16 - 35mm f/2.8L II; 35mm, f2.8, 1/250 ISO 1250, -0.33ev
A short walk down from where I live in Hong Kong provides a good looking view back at Repulse Bay and Ocean Park. Ocean Park, perched far out on a South Side headland, is Hong Kong's main theme park. With a long cable car ride providing panoramic views back towards Deep Water Bay and a number of different attractions ranging from high speed roller coasters to dolphin shows Ocean Park is a fun day out for everyone.
Just make sure you go on a week day and not a public holiday!
Canon 7D, EF 24 - 105mm F/4L IS; 40mm, f10, 30s, ISO 160, 0.33ev
Seems it is all about starting or re-starting new projects. This one is called "Life In Square Motion" with the obvious detail being that all photos are in a square crop. The idea is to simplify city life by focusing on the angles, details and working life of a city that is often missed or unseen. All photos will be converted to black & white in attempt to fully concentrate on the tones and textures.
This first one comes from last year when walking towards the Lamma ferry pier. It was a outrageously hot day, which clearly effected the clouds by making them more dramatic and massive! The way the IFC texture of the IFC differs so differently from the ICC accros the harbour and I enjoyed being able to fit in all the ICC an only a small segment of the IFC.
Canon 400D, EFS 17 - 85mm f4 - 5.6; 22mm, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 100
I've been digging the archives and going back over some of the older photos in my library. Not too long after I got my first DSLR I got a chance to go to New York - it was a graduation present from the parents after finishing Uni. Thanks!
New York is a cool place and much of what I remember is about the vibe I had when there - very chilled, cool city. I would love to spend some more time there and hopefully not too far down the line I'll get a chance to return. This was taken on the Manhattan Bridge looking back at Manhatten and the Empire State Building.
Canon 400D, EFS 17 - 85mm f4 - 5.6; 85mm, f13, 1/100, ISO 100
