Broad view

Not too long ago I received some requests for maybe sharing some of my post processing B&W conversion techniques. I am still contemplating on the thought of putting up an article about just that. Partly I see it as a pure technical thing to explain some post processing skills, but for me my post processing is also something very personal. It is part of my style that I developed and keep on developing. It is part of how I see. How it reflects my emotions. Sharing some of these skills is like sharing something of me.

Still I realize that it might help others to understand some of the B&W post processing too. Therefore I am thinking of writing an article that is not only pure technical. I also will try to write about my thoughts and considerations with my B&W photography and post processing.

Photograph by Wouter Brandsma

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All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Weekend…..

Okay, in my previous post I mentioned that the spring finally arrived and I immediately took the opportunity to take my GRDI for a spin. I didn’t really noticed it at first, but sometimes the focus was way off. A day later, things were even worse and the GRD only seemed to work properly when I set it to macro. The AF becomes a lot slower than, but is also much more accurate. I’ve already had contact with Ricoh and the prospect looks promising.

The last few days I took the Sigma DP1 and I am again reminded how ought this camera is to use, but how gorgeous the photographs are. The feeling of depth, the tonality, and hightlight and shadow handling. Therefore it remains a truly special camera, even though not everyone will like it.

This week seemed to be an Adobe week with their press release that CS5 will be unveiled on April 12. Saw a sneak peek of Photoshop CS5 recently and Scott Kelby demoed the content-aware fill option (see a video of it here). It is pretty impressive technology, but I don’t know how much this has to do with photography anymore. And this technology seems to make watermarks pretty obsolete too. Dunno. Hope it recognizes typo and stops working.

Adobe labs released a new beta version of Lightroom 3. The 64 bit version works really fast and smooth. The developers added some great new features to the beta of Lightroom 3 like a new version of Adobe RAW, a more enhanced importer, improved noise reduction, better vignetting options, and the effect to actually add grain to your photographs. But for me the improved tone curve is the real bonus of Lightroom 3. It is now fully adjustable and a joy to use. I am still surprised about all the open spaces in the graphic user interface, and the lack of no full screen mode (and soft proofing?). I still think it looks quite elegant though.

For those interested in the HD video capabilities of the latest breed of dSLR’s, you might want to check this vid at Zacuto. They compared a 35mm film camera with Kodak and Fuji film stock against the Canon 5D mark II, 7D, 1D mark IV, Nikon D3S, and Panasonic DMC-GH1. Pretty impressive stuff and in particular the 5D does an amazing job. Many (amateur) photographers think it is a gimmick or a bonus, but these cameras are really shaking up the film industry.

And finally back to Ricoh. There are new plans for another Ricoh meet-up either end of April or in May. Possible locations for a meet-up are London, Düsseldorf (home of Ricoh Europe), and Amsterdam. Wouldn’t it be nice to meet some of the people you regularly chat with at either one of the many photography forums? Head over here and sign up.

Happy weekend to you all and good light.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

French connection

Today my friends Kevin and Cam from Paris visited my place in Holland. It was such a lovely day talking about life, sharing ideas and thoughts and being occupied with photography.

Despite the fall season we had a dry day and we had a walk in the neighboring town of Wageningen. They met my aunt and uncle, tasted Dutch old cheese, and I showed them my favorite locations for landscape photography.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

To the beach

Yesterday my wife and I spent some lovely time at the beach of Scheveningen near the city of The Hague. We went to a musical and enjoyed lunch at one of the many beach clubs. Because of the photographic opportunities I took a camera with me. I opted for the the DP1, because of the simplicity and gorgeous image quality.

The diversity of the people is just wonderful. People from all over the world. And another photographer with a Leica M8, zone focusing his camera, was patiently waiting for some street shots, including of us, until I kindly showed him the camera I had with me. He laughed and I told him he was an even more lucky guy than I was.

It stayed dry, but we had somes dramatic skies over the sea.

A cool scene with a seagull on top of the life gaurd post.

These type of beach resorts all seem to be stuffed with shops to buy food or candy, and of course don’t forget the souvenirs. Mr. Candy is no exception.

And since restaurants and food places are all over here at the boulevard, you can find seagulls too. Sea pigeons I like to call them.

I thought this photograph of my wife at beach club Zeezicht came out pretty well with the back lightning.

The “Scheveningse Pier” is the most recognizable landmark here. An incredibly ugly building of concrete and steal at the beach, but great for photography when the sun sets down.

At ebb some seagulls search along a pier for food.

I had to photograph this purse for a my friend Helen from NY.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma