olympus

Feel the Fear and go out Clubbing

Posted on by vince1970
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Club outing to St Monans, Fife Scotland

In a time where communities are becoming further reduced and in a world where often we don’t talk to or even know the name of our neighbours, loneliness is a mental disease that is starting to spread – especially amongst the older generation.

One solution to combat this insular life style is to create Cafe Coffee Corners where people can meet others to have a coffee and simply start talking.  Some corner organisers bring chat cards with a subject for people to discuss, in order to help break the ice.  People may feel they have nothing interesting to tell others about, but in reality every one has a book in them they could write about.

I myself am single and live with my feline soul mate Mr Darcy – if it wasn’t for him my life would be totally empty.  He fills a void that only a cat could.

However I have always been a member of a club since primary school age when I joined a Judo club and cross country running club for most of my schooling years.  These clubs gave me discipline and a focus with goals to achieve.  Judo and Running were hard work and I would train every week year in year out.

I could never foresee that I would give up my beloved Judo and cross country running when I would reach middle age.

I am now a member of 2 Scottish Sub Aqua clubs and have recently joined my local camera club.  These clubs provide me with plenty of social contact and support if needed.  I have learned knowledge and gained qualifications and  experiences that have enriched my quality of life.  It’s great to make new friends and exchange experiences.

I have always been mad about cameras and in a camera club you’ll find plenty of passionate camera enthusiasts who will quite happily talk tech the night away.  I have found myself often enjoying speaking to fellow club members who use the same camera format as myself, chatting about body and lens gadgetry.

After only a few months of being in my camera club I’ve made new friends, visited different parts of Scotland on photographic location shoots that I have never been to before, and now as autumn approaches, enjoy listening to Master Photographers at the club house evenings, gaining handy photographic tips from their presentations.

At college, our tutors explained that Photography is all about experimentation – you never stop trying new things or learning more about The Craft.

You don’t even have to know anything about photography to join in a club, all you need is the willingness to learn and enjoy taking pictures with others.  During our presentation meetings there’s time for a coffee break  and then after the meeting, there’s the further opportunity to socialise with members at our favourite local pub.

Now for the first time in history, Digital Photography can provide consumers with an abundant choice of cameras at affordable prices – the difficulty for some people is trying to decide which equipment to invest in.  At the moment I’m trying to help a club member to try the camera system I have enjoyed using for a couple of years and it gives me great satisfaction when I can help provide someone with a solution to making important technical decisions.

Most enjoy taking photos and camera enthusiasts experience satisfaction from being able to use a variety of lenses to achieve a creative effect.  Taking photographs brings joy and creativity into your life in such a simple way and with modern smart phones, we can edit and share these images across the world in minutes.

If you’d be interested in joining your local Photographic Society, or any local group for that matter, don’t procrastinate – feel the fear and go out Clubbing!  

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

Posted on by vince1970
Fife Ness, Scotland

An update my friends is long overdue!  I am currently editing a vlog on my recent trip to the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.  I was fortunate to be able to do the North Harris Snorkel trail while on a holiday with the Perth British Sub Aqua Club.  We had a fantastic time, the weather was 15 degrees with a mixture of sunshine and rain most days.

I have submitted an article to the British Sub Aqua Magazine with photos and that should be printed in  a future publication.

I continue to enjoy using my new found format – the Olympus Pen and have been enjoying doing some Monotone Street Photography with the Kinross Camera Club.  It’s great to get out into the Scottish countryside or coastal areas and take photos with other enthusiasts.  I also enjoy doing macro photography of flowers and insects I find in the Fife and Lothians areas.

The Kinross Show will be on next month and I’m looking forward to getting some shots of the Vintage Tractors with the Pen.  So, rather than rattle on about the Harris trip, I’ll upload the video(s) when edited shortly.  Watch this space!!

Olympus Pen

Posted on by vince1970
Water Droplet Macro Shot

After recently attending an open day sale at Edinburgh’s Wex branch I came away with a new camera!!  I had had no intention of buying any more camera gear but I thought I’d have a look anyway.  I arrived at the store and the event was well attended.  I weaved my way around the crowds looking at the different stalls selling Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Canon and Nikon.

I was on the lookout for the Micro Four Thirds sellers.  There was a rep from Olympus but I was drawn to the used table with an array of lenses and camera bodies.

I did notice an Olympus Pen body and it was the cheapest item on the table at only £179.  In comparison, I noticed a Sony A7 full frame body at £700.  It suddenly occured to me – I needed a back up body for shooting weddings!!  Every wedding photographer should have two bodies for the big day and I realised I had an opportunity.

The camera body came with not much else – the box, a power lead, manual and disc were all that were on offer.  I had never owned an Olympus before and was excited at getting my first Pen – and – supporting the Micro Four Thirds industry – and – helping to save the planet by recycling camera gear rather than buying new.

I took the new camera body home and excitedly attached my Leica 12 to 60mm lens to see what would happen.  To my delight the camera was functioning fine with this lens.  Then I tried my Panasonic Macro lens and that too provided excellent shots.  I was experiencing the same joy as I did when I opened the box of my first new micro camera in 2018.

I sourced two spare batteries and charger from Amazon so cheaply I couldn’t believe it!!

I tested the Pen out by shooting some macro round the Loch Leven area and got some amazing water dropet shots – I was really enjoying myself with this new body.  It is so light compared to my other ‘big brother’ micro camera.  I was also astounded at how long the battery was lasting.  I had 7 separate macro shoots before the battery was empty!!

Not only now do I have a back up body for weddings but I can also enjoy macro photography too.  I then decided that I would quite like to try some street photography as this is what the Pen was deisgned for – being compact and discreet.  My Leica zoom is a little too front heavy for the Pen body.  After getting a copy of Amateur Photography I discovered Park Cameras and sourced a used Olympus 14 to 24 zoom lens which is exactly the lens that should have come in the box!!  I got this lens for only £59 – how about that!

So I await my lens and during the summer months I will enjoy doing some street photography in ‘Auld Reekie’ and new town of Edinburgh City.  I will experiment with the monochrome mode against some of Edinburgh’s most amazing architecture.  Students from all over the world come to study Edinburgh New Town’s architecture.  When you walk along George Street you notice that each house has its own unique stone design and motiffs.

I have now ordered a handy camera case to protect the camera while travelling and will keep you updated on my adventures!!