Hi Gilliatt, I haven't been doing much by way of photography just recently, I suppose it's down to spending too much time on LitNet and playing the piano but I hope to pick up on it again soon when the Autumn colours start coming through. It's paradoxical that a literature website actually stops me continuing with my third novel, which I keep meaning to complete, but I never get past this forum when I switch on the computer. Incidentally, I checked out the chosen design for the new US embassy on Google and it isn't as bad as it might have been. Of the five designs submitted it looks the best in my view and the fact that, on security grounds, only US firms were allowed to submit, meant that it kept out the likes of Norman Foster and Richard Rogers.
Brian, Checking in to see how you are faring with the new Nikon. I am home this weekend, but must head back to Illinois on Monday. At some point I need to get back to the Art Institute to pick up where I left off. There is a lot of ground to cover. Gilliatt
Well "I'll be a monkey's uncle" - You did it! Bully for you! It is amazing how sophisticated these cameras are. I feel as if I've just scratched the surface with mine. So much remains to be learned. Looking forward to your trial runs. By the way, I spent the day at the Art Institute of Chicago museum today (Sunday) and here too, I feel as though I just "scratched the surface". It is immense! Gilliatt
Gilliatt, I didn't mention it before because I have been finding my way around my recently purchased Nikon D3000. I decided to go for the cheaper option when I discovered that it did have live view after all, but there is still a lot of gadgetry on it. I have been spending today working out the uploading procedure using the Nikon software provided and although I've cracked it, it has been more by luck than judgement. So far, I have only been taking pictures around the home and I hope to post some shortly. When I get more used to the camera, I will venture out and about and try to take some more interesting shots with it.
Hi Gilliatt, You sure are getting the hang of your new Pentax; the pictures are super. That street sculpture comes out brilliantly and is a far cry from those in the museum, although I doubt that it will last as long. I see you have a facility for changing the colour of your pictures as in the blue and brown shot of the building emerging from behind the sculpture. I know that DSLR cameras nowadays have various tricks up their sleeves, the problem lies in the learning curve if we want to use them. You should have plenty of opportunity for some shots in the Chicago Art Institute's museum. Perhaps you could post one of their pictures in the Guess the Painting thread. In the meantime, I shall try to sort out some more pictures to post. Brian.
Brian, Knowing you were interested in my Chicago adventures, I posted a few photos in the "pictures..." thread. HOWEVER, this is not a shameful attempt to get you to look there and respond. Instead I will send you to my photobucket link here: http://s963.photobucket.com/albums/a...02010/?start=0 Besides, you will find more photos of Chicago in my photobucket source. My next trip will concentrate on the interior of the Art Institute of Chicago museum. When will we see more of your Nikon handywork? Regards, Gilliatt
Hi Gilliatt, I remember some years ago when I was working for the Ministry of Defence in London and a young guy came into the office where I worked and said that he was in a quandary. He had been offered a job in India working in some social capacity for about a year but the MoD wouldn't guarantee his job when he returned. He asked what I thought about it and I told him that he should go because, even if it turned out to be different to what he was expecting, he would have something to look back on when he was older rather than just spending his life working in an office. I also said that he might find other opportunities opening up while he was there. Anyway, he went and I didn't see him again but I'm sure he did the right thing.
I think you were also right in taking the advice to travel. We can read about certain places but there's no substitute for actually being there. I still remember my first visit to Paris and that was many years ago. It's obviously much easier for people here in the UK to get into Europe and, what with Britain being part of the European Community, there is a lot of opportunity to work there these days. The downside is that this increased interaction has ironed out national characteristics to the point where it's getting to be pretty much the same wherever we choose to go. Nonetheless, I still think that travel really does broaden the mind if only because it brings us into contact with a wider circle of acquaintances.
Continued... So, I pulled together some money, along with a little help from the parents and spent the summer of 1988 in Europe on my own. Naturally, I was interested in seeing notable architecture, but I found myself enthralled with many other aspects as well, culture, history and the like...and the beaches along the French Riviera! The architecture school was holding their summer semester in Rome at the same time, so I would periodically pop in on my friends and stir up some envy as I described other parts of Europe. It was a time that I will never forget. I had since been back to Italy for one week during New Year about ten years ago. Gilliatt
Brian, Your question in the architecture thread did not go unnoticed. Since I have nothing to post regarding architecture at the moment, I wanted to at least answer your question here. My trip to Europe was the result of almost daily pressure from a coworker and mentor. I had just started a new job, fresh out of school. My mentor soon began his mantra; "Go to Europe. Do it now while you are single, no mortgage, no debts. You'll have a job when you get back". ...continued...
