Monday, April 13, 2015

See more in less


Some time ago I joined a Facebook group, Abiotic Minimal Photography. Members were encouraged to post photos with a minimalist focus. I joined but before I could shoot and post many suitable images, the group folded. Why: Too much interest. You read correctly: Too much, not too little, interest. Founder Isabelle de Touchet wrote:

I am closing the group for good. I don't feel I have enough time to really run the group the way I wish to. I thank you all for all the wonderful photos . . . Much love to all.

Isabelle de Touchet is, I believe, a pseudonym. I've done some googling of the name and, although I am no closer to knowing a lot about the lady (I know some but not all that much), my journey through the labyrinth of the Internet, propelled by her name, has brought me into contact with some wonderful, imaginative art. I cannot post the images encountered. That would be wrong. The works are not mine. That said, I can post links. Please follow them. You will not be disappointed.

A Footprint of Feelings: Isabelle de Touchet
John Shelton photo
BehiƧ Alparsa photo
Erika Nagy photo
Artopho Group

I'm going to stop here. You can click the links as well as I can. The last link I gave is simply the best. I love the shot by Erika Nagy and when I search for more by Erika Nagy I find 40 Astounding Examples of Abstract Photography. Erika Nagy's is the last shot shown.

What was the point of this post? Inspiration. Use the Internet to inspire, to encourage, to plant the seeds of creativity in your mind. Expand your photographic horizons by learning to see more in less.

And if you'd like to know more than the minimum about Minimalism, here's a link to more: Minimalism.


It is not quite minimalism but the hunt itself led to this very nice image.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Possibly the best rechargeables: Eneloop


When my Fuji FinePix HS10 stopped working, I thought the camera might be toast. I found it hard to believe that all eight rechargeable batteries had died at exactly the same time. My granddaughter noticed the low-battery icon flashing before I lost all power. She said, "Change the batteries, Gug."

I had never charged my ni-cads without letting them rundown, but I never let the batteries discharge completely either. I tried to be careful. It wasn't enough. I believe a cheap battery charger did them in.

I have since learned that a cheap battery charger, that charges all batteries at once,  treats all batteries like the weakest battery in the set. Soon all batteries are as poor as the failing one.

I replaced both sets of batteries with Eneloop rechargeables from Panasonic. These batteries have a great reputation on the Internet and so far I have been very pleased. They hold their charge well when not in use and they are not damaged by early charging like my other batteries. The battery charger that came with the set of eight double As and two triple As charges each battery separately. Hallelujah!

I was unable to find these batteries in either the electronic stores or the camera stores located near me in London, Ontario and so I went online. I found the best price at Costco. There was no charge for the delivery and the batteries arrived the day after I placed the order. I am beginning to understand why brick and mortar stores are in some trouble.

In the recent past, I've had some problems with my Fuji FinePix HS10. I'm wondering if the problems were caused by low power. Did I have enough juice to allow the camera to work but only poorly? Don't know.

But, look at the picture of my granddaughter at Karate practice and I think you will agree, the old camera has found its second wind. There is life in the old superzoom and the new Eneloop batteries may well be part of the reason.