Not the end of the world

Even alone there is peace

So much happened this year and so few moments did I actually capture. I can tell you so much about that, but I feel it first needs to become a piece of me. Had many doubts, conquered much, it proved not the end of my photography.

In reflection there is nostalgia

What I do know is that the year is nearly over, Christmas is close, and the Maya calendar was interpreted wrong my many. There was no doomsday. So no matter where you are, I wish you all a Happy Holiday. Love and respect each other.

Respect anyone

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

It is not always what it seems

Not really Siberia

Things are not always what it seems. I wrote several times about the Ricoh cameras I used, like the GRD3 and the GX200. From a photographer’s point of view these cameras are made for photographers. Some of the best user interface, the customization, you name it. Now these cameras are hard to acquire in most of the world and even here in the Netherlands you won’t find many stores with these cameras. Most reviews are in favor of these cameras although Ricoh’s cameras do use outdated technology, like the older sensors. Ricoh engineers however push their available technology to the max. I love these cameras, not because they are named after a copier. No, they are meant to use as a tool, a good tool.

Unfortunately though I experienced myself that these cameras comes with flaws. Not immediately, but after a while. I bought a GX100 in 2007, had that camera for a year, but could only use it for 9 months. The other months that camera was at the repair service. Dust in the lens, three times. Its replacement, the GX200, seemed to be a good deal. In the 1.5 years I had that camera I never had a problem with it. Although it performed flawless I never grew into that camera. I didn’t like the output for my B&W photography. I briefly had a GRD1, liked that camera a lot, but the autofocus gave problems at some point. The lens was front focusing, even to the point that snap mode didn’t work anymore. The GRD1 was replaced by the GRD3 I liked so much. While I still consider the GRD3 a perfect photographer’s camera I had several problems with it. The camera once stopped functioning and was replaced by another sample. With that camera, which I still have, the LCD screen was replaced (scratched surface), the lens was replaced (AF problem, misalignment and dust), and now the autofocus isn’t working properly. These current problems remind me of the AF problems I had with the GRD1.

I am noticing that I become hesitating of recommending or personally buying a new Ricoh camera. I guess I have had enough problems in the last five years with my cameras. Enough camera stuff too. The above photograph was taken near my hometown in surprisingly cold weather. The beautiful light, the fog, and the snow gave me a brief moment of joy.

Photograph by Wouter Brandsma

week 6 | 2012

I really thought about quitting this week with my PAD project. No inspiration, no time, nothing changing, everything the same, and for the first time since last year February I felt the pressure of photographing to keep the project going. I need ideas or at least a different locations to photograph. And I constantly feel these doubts. It feels like nothing is changing, no progress, what do I learn? And these thoughts what would happen if I temporary stop for a couple of days. Would I still be able to motivate myself?

I fought the entire week with these doubts, doubts about continuing the project, doubts about my photography, doubts about sharing my photography. Still, I believe stopping now makes no sense to me. I don’t need to continue, no I want to continue. I am thinking about setting myself some goals every week to find suitable subjects to photograph.

Last January a group of photographers, including me, on a forum (a forum focused on compact cameras and it’s practical usage) participated in a project to photograph each day with only one camera-lens setup the entire month. The intention was to actually enjoy your photographic gear and just really appreciate the process of making photographs. Since I already photographed each day and mostly used a single setup, I insisted on participating. It was special to see each and everyone being a lot more creative than they ever thought they would be. Many were excited, some thought it was tough to photograph each day without any particular event occurring. There was a lot less chit chat about gear (which I personally think is a really good thing), but when the project was finished the interesting photo-related discussions stopped. Most instantly went back to all their gear and moaned that they would never do it again. It frustrated me and made me realize (again) that these forums are really the wrong places for me. I like to find like-minded people to talk and enjoy photography (in particular photographs). The popularity of these forums however drive mostly on the gear enthusiast in my opinion. I love to be challenged and feel inspired and motivated by seeing good photography. I love to get out and I greatly enjoy the photographic process, seeing moments, making photographs

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Winter beauty

Every season does have its beauty. Normally the winter can be dark and grey in the Netherlands, but with frost and snow it becomes very special too. And after a thick mist the other day, we got a lot of beautiful hoarfrost today.

This patch of snow contains some time limited evidence. Probably next week it will all be gone again.

I am still amazed about the bokeh from this little lens.

I photographed this place more often, you know that Ronald, but it seems so pretty today. I couldn’t ignore it.

Barbed wire gets covered with hoarfrost.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma