Comments for Michael Willems Daily Photography Blog

Comment on by Michael Willems

Michael Willems — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:30:48 +0000

Indeed, Ed. And of course in the UK, “foreigner” is not a good thing. I remember often having people raise their voices when talking to me, since “foreigners” obviously must be dim, and raining one’s voice is one surefire way of making them understand English.

The UK is one place where I have repeatedly been challenged for having a camera – for no other reason that “you have a camera, and cameras are suspicious”. Add “foreign” to that mix and indeed, we are likely to have some fireworks in the UK.

Comment on by Ed Prutschi

Ed Prutschi — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:26:51 +0000

Well you know where I come from on this one Michael (hint for those who don’t know me: when I’m not snapping amateur pics, I’m a criminal defence lawyer) and these types of laws are ripe for arbitrary misuse.

Having just returned from a week in Vancouver to watch the Olympics, I expect London to be taxed to the breaking point in 2012. Vancouver spent nearly $1B on security in an effort to keep terrorists out of Canada during the games. London is starting at a distinct disadvantage as it is already home to a significant domestic militant population and has been the victim of terrorism in the past.

I can only imagine how many innocent tourists, amateur photographers and others will be targetted by legislation ostensibly designed to combat terrorism when a million foreigners invade the UK for the Games.

Comment on Turn on, tune in, drop out? by Mark Shannon

Mark Shannon — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:20:00 +0000

Great tip Michael.

Kudos on the Beatles reference, as well!

Comment on What, vain, me? by Michael Willems

Michael Willems — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:28:00 +0000

It was on camera, simply bounced off the wall camera left. The wall is the ultimate modifier!

Comment on What, vain, me? by stakx

stakx — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:25:03 +0000

Can you provide more information about the flash? From the catchlights, it looks like it was camera left about level with your head. Is the light on your face from it being feathered? Or is there some other light modifier like a bounce card?

Thanks in advance– your daily tips are useful.

Comment on What, vain, me? by Michael Willems

Michael Willems — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:36:28 +0000

Here’s my suggested starting points:

- Outdoors: 200 ISO
- Indoors, using flash: 400
- Difficult light (museums, hockey arenas, etc): 800

Then vary from there. And yes, then aperture is your next priority, I quite agree.

Comment on What, vain, me? by Gar

Gar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:19:25 +0000

Would 400 generally be a good ISO to set the camera at. I’m getting off the ‘Auto’ setting, but I don’t know that I’m ready to be fully in the driver seat. I’ve been thinking the first control to discover and really get to know would be aperture. In the past, I’ve been leaving the camera at 200, but the reality is that 99.99% of my photos are viewed on a computer screen. I think maybe I should speed things up, which should in turn, give me more to work with while I’m exploring how much light I’m letting hit the sensor.

Comment on by Michael Willems

Michael Willems — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:19:26 +0000

“Children of men” also a great dystopia that rings so true.

Comment on by Michael Willems

Michael Willems — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:19:05 +0000

I fear you are right The UK was Europe’s liberal outpost once… I grew up there so I remember.. no longer. ID cards, “responsible” journalism, “terror” as an excuse for anything… it is not surprise that George Orwell was English, I suppose. He saw what was coming?

Comment on by Gar

Gar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:04 +0000

I’ve often wondered how much the movie “V for Vendetta” was a look into England’s future. You don’t have to look that far to find news items for England’s increasing Nanny State. Photography is only one aspect of the current direction of the country.