Beads

While out to pick the most suitable Longchamp shopping bag last spring.. came across this interesting dress with lots of beadwork at another shop.  Interesting enough to photograph. :D

Weekend Wildlife

 male hummingbird near the fig tree, blurred squirrel in the foreground

One spring weekend while in the country.... we wake up to these furry and feather-y friends as viewed from the patio doors from the breakfast table.

 squirrel munching on seeds

 those tiny little paws and the mad munching.. Lol!

 she couldn't get enough!  Lol!

 red feather-y buddy.. A groesbeek (sp?) on the fig tree

 seems to be looking at me, or the lens, curiously

What's Up There

housemate checking out the lamp

The Stare

the housemate last winter.. snuck in a cozy corner of the settee

A Foggy Day Last Year

Some foggy morning pics of my old neighborhood.. I like foggy scenes.. makes things seem moody/dramatic.. have more character. hehe.

Interesting 3D Ad at a Bus Stop

Snapped these pics of a bus stop ad downtown while on my way to lunch.  3D ad with the cups.  It's kinda cute.

Japadog It!

After work downtown with some time on my hands, went to the Japadog street food cart with a friend and had the Terimayo sandwich.  Japadog's a Japanese take on the hotdog sandwich. 

And also went to the park by the waters on the way home.

Winter Assignment

On a business trip/project assignment last winter... some shots.

 hotel room w/ travel buddy

fjord? (cellphone pic)

Red It

These guys' shoes are more fashionable than mine. :P

While on the bus, I just had to take a pic of these hip Asian guys' get up.  Lol.

Spring Hikes

Been hiking on weekends at different locations this spring.  Some lazy shots below.

Shots from cellphone below

Olympus EM10 Unboxing and Test Shot

Just a few shots.. The package arrived: one EM10 body only, and one Zuiko 25mm f1.8 lens.  Pancake lens 14-42 mm to follow in May.  Gah.  Oh well.

the warranty card

my curious pet by the package

test shot of the Portrait scene, awesome!

My 2014 Olympus EM10 Camera Purchase

I'm now updating my camera and purchasing a micro four thirds system SLR instead of a full frame DSLR.  Mainly due to size and cost concerns and also finding sophisticated point and shoots limited still for the image quality I want.  The smaller it is, the easier it is to bring with me, and thus the more photo opps I can get.

I've opted for the Olympus OMD EM10 for value for money, over a predecessor -- the Olympus OMD EM-5:

 

screenshot of the OMD EM10 from the Olympus website

• I believe I really don't have much need for the weather sealed feature of the EM-5 and the most expensive Olympus OMD EM1
• nor the 5-axis stabilization of the EM-5 and EM-1.  3-axis is a good compromise with the EM10.
• EM10 has features of the premium EM1 that the EM-5 doesn't.  Wi-fi among them.  Wi-fi must be standard in technology offerings where it can be used and EM-5 didn't have that on its release in 2012.  Which is why I held off purchasing the EM-5 when it first came out.  Seemed half-baked to get the EM-5 at a time when competitor cameras were being released with wi-fi but didn't seem as good as the EM-5.  I waited instead.
• EM10 has a built in pop up flash.  I don't like shooting with flash but small though it is on the EM10, convenience matters a lot to me for times when you need flash as a fill in mechanism.  I don't wanna rummage around for one to attach onto the camera nor keep it on the camera always for portability as it adds to the bulkiness since it's not a pop up flash.  This is the case for the EM-5, no built in flash, just one you can attach.  So another reason for me for waiting instead and not buying the EM-5.

Because of the lack of weather sealing and a 3-axis instead of the 5-axis stabilization on the EM10, the EM10 then costs less than the EM5.  Plus the built in flash on the EM10 is sweet too.

Updating My Camera This Year

I'm considering updating my camera this year.  And discussing a tiny bit re design here.

For my photography/camera needs, aside from wanting a camera that outputs DSLR-quality images, it has to have:

• a built-in viewfinder
• wi-fi
• art filters
• pic size can print to poster size prints
• built-in flash would be nice to have
• with a kit lens

And most importantly, be not bulky like a normal DSLR.  I don't enjoy lugging heavy gear and lenses with me.

I like street photography, candid people shots, portraits, macro, travel and culture, and not just landscapes... almost documentary-like.


Anyway, my current cameras are:

Busy 2013

Been a while since I last posted anything on this blog.  Hmmm, lotsa things happened in 2013 I suppose.

Got busy 'cause of a new job

and moving so as to be closer to new job.

Flew to another city for a temporary work assignment,

hotel room

Then had guests staying at my new place and we went to an island, did some hiking

and hung out at some beaches.

but we also dropped by my uncle's place in the country after coming back from the island.

And finally got a new pet as well after moving.  Whew.

Now things are more settled.  I have finally done a proper scoping out of my new neighborhood (walked about 5km for an hour).  This is so I'd know the best running route so I can continue my running routine.  Apparently there's an urban trail behind my neighborhood stretching all the way to the other end of the country, wow.

I passed by views of mountains and waters by the mountains, a recreation centre, as well as a few little parks including an off leash park for dogs on the way, and homes in my neighborhood on the way back.  Not bad.

I look forward to running again, after the dark wet winter last December. Perhaps will join a big 10k run some time this year, organized for the city.  My office fields its own team annually with this running event.  We shall see. 

My Pet in the Snow

Brought out my pet when it snowed for a few days.  I put her on a leash/harness as she's an indoor pet.

Beach Shots October 2013