• architecture,  Camera Equipment,  Fujifilm X-E1

    Where do I start?

    Stairway Details - Northern Hotel in Old Town
    Stairway Details – Northern Hotel in Old Town

    This is not a camera review. I’m just going to tell you what I like and don’t like about the X-E1.

    My first comment  is about the image quality. I am amazed at the image quality of the X-E1, it is outstanding. The quality of the sensor and the kit lens can make me a better photographer only because it will ask me to work on what I see and how I compose. So far I’ve only shot jpeg so I have no idea what a raw file will give me. I did shoot one raw file and was amazed a it’s size, 16 meg.

    This is my first rangefinder camera so I have had to adjust to the feel of the camera and how it handles. I enjoy it’s smaller form making it comfortable to carry around my neck, not as intrusive when pointing at people. and, I personally think it looks cool. I like having the aperture ring and zoom ring on the lens, rather than buttons on the body. Reminds me of my Nikon FE2 days. More to come.

  • architecture,  Church,  Fujifilm X-E1,  quotes

    The Three Variables

    Arches and Cross
    Arches and Cross

    “After 40 years of ingesting every aspect of photographic science and composition, I still find the camera to be an endlessly intriguing partner that challenges my imagination and knowledge. All that with only 3 variables of shutter speed, aperture and focal length.” – Ralph Auletta

  • architecture,  Candid Portraits,  Church,  quotes

    Caring

    A Time of Prayer
    A Time of Prayer

    “Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care.” – Henri Nouwen

    As I’ve mentioned previously I have a couple of churches I use for quiet time during the weekdays. I’ve seen this lady in the above  image several times. On one occasion she had a young girl in a wheelchair with her. At first the sounds the young girl made was disturbing but after a few minutes they no longer bothered me. In fact I was glad she was there. It also helped me realize how good my life is. I have three healthy children and four healthy grandchildren. At the moment I have a daughter and two grandchildren living with me because of poor choices. Yet, this woman has burdens in her life far greater than mine. I do not know her name but I believe Church is not the building she prays in but her willingness to car for her daughter.

  • architecture,  Church

    The Prayer Book

    The Prayer Book
    The Prayer Book

    Wikipedia says prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a deity, an object of worship, or a spiritual entity through deliberate communication. Some form of prayer is found in most major religions. In contrast with Western religion, Eastern religion for the most part discards worship and places devotional emphasis on the practice of meditation alongside scriptural study. Consequently, prayer is seen as a form of meditation or an adjunct practice to meditation.

    Prayer and meditation have become important to me over the past thirty years. Prior to that any prayer life I had consisted of short burst of frustration or fear, “Oh my God!” There has been a move within me to for more quiet contemplation and meditation. So I find places where I can have those quiet moments. I use a couple of churches with in walking distance. I use a nearby park and a couple nature areas for more quiet. A quiet corner of my condo can make for a nice place also.

    All three monotheistic Religions have a variety of prayer books: The Muslim Prayer Book – for praying five times a day; The Book of Common Prayer -which has prayers for seven times a day; Liturgy of the Hours – used by monastic communities to pray seven times a day; Siddur – the Jewish prayer book for praying three times a day. I could be wrong on these prayer books but it gives us some idea of the importance for prayer within these religions.

     
  • architecture,  Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street

    The Alley

    The Alley
    The Alley

    It started raining yesterday late afternoon and is still lightly raining this morning. So, I’m sitting in small coffee shop near campus. I’ve already downed a small scone and  a small soy chai, so I’m set. My photography has been almost nonexistent lately. I’m okay with that, sort of. This image is from past summer while on a walk around my hotel. I knew it would be black and white when I pressed the shutter.