Author: rpphotographer

Contact Card

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rpphotographer

I’m creating a contact card for murpworkschrome.

I don’t think of it as a business card, although I’ll be using Moo Cards and they’re very business focused. I’m keeping it simple . I’ve chosen two of my images; one for each side. Upon deciding, I immediately found another I’d have liked to use. So, it may be the first of many.

There’s a front and a back, a logo and a URL; that’s it!

It’s purpose will be threefold

  • It will point people to murpworkschrome
  • If someone stops me in the street, it could disarm any conflict, ease any tension. I’m very conscious of this when out photographing and you’ll probably notice a lack of people, more often than not anyway
  • It will be something of mine ‘printed out’

The second point was drawn to my attention by Faizal Westcott and watching his YouTube post: Street Photography Tips [Part One]

As I mentioned earlier, it could be the first of many. I like the idea of a changing card; a limited edition run if you will.

Here are the images I chose for the first contact card

Front

murpworkschrome - Contact Card - A Foggy Morning - Marina image
A Foggy Morning – Marina

Back

murpworkschrome - Contact Card - Mist image
Mist

I’ll post when I get a copy back from the printers.

Peace and photography

rp

Ely Cathedral Photograph

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rpphotographer

My Ely cathedral photograph – the cathedral must have been photographed millions if not multiple millions of times, like many other sites of interest; in Britain and around the world. So, with that said, how do you take a photograph and make the subject look different, or fresh or up to date?

I approached this from the perspective of, a forced perspective.

murpworkschrome - Ely Cathedral - Ely Cathedral I image
Taken with Fujifilm X100V using Classic Chrome film simulation (post-processed)

The cathedral is imposing and one thing that people do when they visit is look up. Driving toward Ely, the cathedral presents itself, in its entirety but from a distance, its true nature is not revealed. It’s only when up close that the vast stone building shows its splendour. However, up close when having approached from High Street, the human eye cannot take in the whole. And, while the walls of cream stone are interesting, especially as some have stood since 672 AD, looking up to one of the two towers is a natural thing to do.

So, I’ve added to the millions of photos of another site of interest. I like to think my Ely cathedral photograph of the West Tower as a positive addition.

murpworkschrome - Ely Cathedral - Ely Cathedral II image

Peace and photography

rp

Boat

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rpphotographer
murpworkschrome - boat - GRP Cruiser Boat crop image

I live on a boat. A narrowboat called Silverdale to be precise, along with mu. We float on water and there are boats are all around us. The marina, we live on, just off the River Great Ouse has Narrowboats, GRP Cruisers, a tug, and a working boat with a dredging device for cutting down weed. There are also rowing boats several times a week as the local school and Cambridge University have rowing clubs located here.

It’s currently Winter, so there is little movement. Many of the Cruiser-style boats have been lifted out of the water to prevent damage from ice. They are placed upon blocks and sitting upon the grass around the marina, echoing the ducks and swans, doing the same.

I’ve just started to appreciate the unique nature of the place. I need to make more of the opportunity and take more photographs of boats. At this time of year, I’m normally walking head down, against the biting cold wind. Then, occasionally, the sun comes out and if feels a little less like the inside of a fridge. With my latest camera: Fujifilm X100V, I take a picture.

murpworkschrome - boat - GRP Cruiser Boat image

Hopefully the first of many.

Peace and photography

rp

Jumping Back in to Photography

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rpphotographer

Jumping back in to photography? Well, how do you start after such a long break? I suppose you just jump right back in. I have been photographing but it’s been a strange time.

My talk about not using my phone in One Last 11 Shot proved premature. I used my iPhone 11 quite a lot, especially on our adventure on the rivers. It proved easy to use the phone and ‘click and shoot’ rather than real photography. I should have used the Ricoh GR III but I didn’t. Well, I did but not exclusively. I have, as of January this year stopped using it. I’m using my Fujifilm X100V.

The Ricoh GR III is an excellent camera, perfect for the street, taking everywhere and a whole lot more. If I had one negative about it, I would sat it was a little small, for my liking. I sold it after realising I hadn’t even switched the X100V on, since I got it. I take it everywhere now and with the start of a new year, I have some projects planned. The X100V is gorgeous both to use and look at. I got the silver one as I invariably get black. I thought a change was in order).

Ely, in East Cambridgeshire will provide the main backdrop to my photography moving forward as that is where mu and I are living. However, Norwich will provide an alternative location. It’s the reason we moved to Ely; to be near family – the nearest point on the river system to Norwich we can get our narrowboat Silverdale. See murpworks Afloat for further details.

I am happy with my first few images but I’m still playing around with the simulations and getting to grips with the buttons and dials. I’m happy after jumping back in to photography.

Jumping Back in - Ely doorway image
Jumping Back in - Ely Tiger image
Jumping Back in - Ely WGA image
Jumping Back in - Ely railings image
Around Ely

Short and sweet and just like like that, I’m back in.

Peace and photography

rp

Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III

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rpphotographer
murpworks - murpworkschrome - Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III - shoes image

I’ve been ‘Finding my Feet’ with the Ricoh GR III. Changing between Multi-segment / Center-weighted / Spot and using the Positive Film pre-set has given me a bit of an insight. Some initial RAW file manipulation to see what can and can’t be done. Normally, I’m reticent to start with but I wanted to jump in with this camera.

An overcast day with interesting architecture.

murpworks - murpworkschrome - Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III - Northampton - Cultural Quarter image
Northampton – Cultural Quarter (RAW)
murpworks - murpworkschrome - Northampton - Cultural Quarter image
Northampton – Cultural Quarter (RAW)

Almost Art Deco steps around the side of a small block of flats.

murpworks - murpworkschrome - Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III - Norwich - Steps in shade I image
Norwich – Steps in shade (RAW)
murpworks - murpworkschrome - Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III - Norwich - Steps in shade II image
Norwich – Steps in shade (RAW)

A walk around some streets in Norwich.

murpworks - murpworkschrome - Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III - Norwich - Garage doors image
Norwich – Garage doors (Positive Film)
murpworks - murpworkschrome - Finding my Feet with the Ricoh GR III - Norwich - Wall in shade image
Norwich – Wall in shade (Positive Film)
murpworks - murpworkschrome - Norwich - Kofra - Onley Street image
Norwich – Kofra, Onley Street (Positive Film)

Must get better – but I’m still finding my feet with the Ricoh GR III…

Peace and photography

RP

A First Few Photographs

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rpphotographer

I took a first few photographs with my new Ricoh GR III camera yesterday.

I went into Northampton as lock down easing is in place. It was mid-morning and the sun was out but I hadn’t planned on going specifically to photograph. I found an out of the way location, en route to Yellow Bourbon Coffee Roasters. Everything is still pretty quiet at the moment. It was nice to be out in amongst buildings & shops.

murpworks - murpworkschrome - A First Few Photographs - Street I image
The Location
murpworks - murpworkschrome - A First Few Photographs - Street III image
Stand and Wait
murpworks - murpworkschrome - A First Few Photographs - YBCR I image
Waiting to Enter

I’ll be returning to Yellow Bourbon for more coffee as it was excellent and the knowledgeable Barista meant I can choose some beans next time..

You can see the best two photographs I obtained here and here

I’m really, really pleased with the Ricoh GR III but it’s early days and I’m still getting to know it. I post processed the above (and linked) images as I was using the Standard JPEG pre-set but I’m now exploring the Positive Film pre-set.

Peace and photography

rp

One last 11 Shot

, ,
rpphotographer

OK, so I said in A New Beginning “…my iPhone 11 but I look to leave this behind and use the GR II exclusively.” but I thought I’d post this one last shot. Well two, actually.

The reason for this is that it is one of those shots where I can’t decide whether it should be in colour or monochrome. So I’m posting both – Street Lines in the Wet

Colour Image

murpworks - murpworkschrome - One last 11 Shot - Street Lines in the Wet colour image

Black and White Image

murpworks - murpworkschrome - One last 11 Shot - Street Lines in the Wet black and white image

The colour image carries important information as it shows the yellow of the line marking and immediately triggers a recognition. The black and white image gives a graphically strong message. The lines being white could work as white lines are used in this context. So, although not conveying the same information as the colour image, it works visually.

I can’t decide between the two. A dilemma for One last 11 Shot.

Peace and photography

rp

A New Beginning

rpphotographer
murpworks - murpworkschrome - A New Beginning - Ricoh GR III with manual image

Today was a new beginning, I received my new camera – the Ricoh GR III Compact camera. Released in 2019, it has an APS-C image sensor of 24 megapixels. Ricoh billed it as “The ultimate snapshot camera for the times”. It has a lack of anti-aliasing filter, it has touch focus and a newly designed lens. Therefore, it provides ability in an extremely small package.

I know it will provide me with what I need to be more productive and creative. I can’t wait to get started with it. I’ve charged the battery, formatted the memory card and now, I just have to update the firmware and I’ll be ready to start with a beginner’s mind.

Here are my unboxing photos

murpworks - murpworkschrome - A New Beginning - Ricoh GR III box image
murpworks - murpworkschrome - A New Beginning - Ricoh GR III open box image
murpworks - murpworkschrome - A New Beginning - Ricoh GR III in boc image
murpworks - murpworkschrome - A New Beginning - Ricoh GR III image

Daido Moriyama used a Ricoh GR film camera to develop his body of work and used the GR III more recently The “Near Equal Moriyama Daido” post hosts an excellent video into the photographer.

I took the above photos with my iPhone 11 but I look to leave this behind and use the GR II exclusively.

Follow me on a new beginning in my photography at murpworkschrome and here in the Light on a Lens blog.

Peace and photography

rp