I have to say, even though I now fall in the ranks of the “older generation” and am not a fan of all the artists, I have nothing curmudgeonly or cynical to say about this remixed version of K’naan’s song. In fact, as a song and as a video, I like it very much. I also liked that they included at least a bit of French!
That’s right, I’ve upgraded my phone. Finally.
This is why:
The iPod Touch will still get used daily, but since I can only use it with wi-fi, I couldn’t pass up a free phone upgrade. We’ll see if my cameraphone shots look any better!
It’s been warm all this week and I set up a tall kitchen stool by the front window for the beasties to catch morning sun. The chair has a seat barely wide enough to accommodate the two of them, yet they both insist on watching the world go by from this perch, which results in bickering, the occasional smack with the paw, and begrudging co-existence.
These are test shots straight out of the camera, a Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I was teaching someone on Monday how to use her camera’s light meter and explaining exposure. Before I embarked on this instruction I gave myself a rundown on the whole Canon DSLR equipment line, not just because I’m a research nerd, but to prove that it’s not about brand loyalty but about learning how to use a device to the best of its ability, no matter what the make or model happens to be. If I have a proper understanding of photography then I should be able to show anyone how to shoot with anything.
First goal? Learn enough to take the camera off Auto!
Waiting for videos to render and burn in the middle of the night is like watching paint dry, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to post a couple more Toronto Art Expo photos before I can’t stay awake any longer. Can it really be 5am???
In case it isn’t obvious by my photos, I love lines (the non-queuing variety). I’m always looking for lines to photograph — lots and lots of lines. I like them abstract or stark, serial or solo, curvy or straight, thick or thin, elaborate or plain, drab or colourful, implied in a silhouette or painted on a sidewalk… simply any lines will do, whether they’re in nature or in an urban setting. The creative opportunities are endless.
That said, even though I have gridlines in my viewfinder, I am terrible at keeping my lines straight. Go figure.
Photos taken this evening at the intersection of Dundas Street and University Avenue, while waiting for the streetcar. All shots are using a little old Samsung U510.
The golden hour in photography is the first or last hour of sunlight in a day that photographers often aim to shoot in, since the sun’s position produces a soft and warm light with longer shadows. The Golden Hour Calculator is a useful website that can help you calculate the golden hour(s) for your location, telling you exactly when the sun rises and sets.
Calculate Your Golden Hour via PetaPixel
Yesterday I took a person new to photography (see how much I dislike the word “newbie”?) out for an hour of instruction with her camera, teaching her how to use it, combined with some technical information. I may be doing more of this, as a number of people have expressed interest in learning how to use their cameras. This is actually something I’ve been thinking about for a while, but I prefer hands-on, one-on-one instruction rather than a group. It’s time-intensive, though, which is why I haven’t arranged it. Managing time is a juggling act if I want to have a balanced life.
Back in May 2008, I posted an appeal for people of Asian descent to sign up at local bone marrow registries on behalf of Carolyn Tam, who was fighting leukemia. Less than one year later, I sadly posted the news that Carolyn had passed away.
From the One Match website:
A person’s best chance of finding a matching donor is within his or her own ethnic group, it is important that the composition of OneMatch reflect Canada’s rich ethnic diversity. It is also important for the future of OneMatch to attract young donors.
The Asian population is not well-represented in the donor databases, creating a situation where it is difficult to find matches for Asians waiting to receive bone marrow transplants.
More than 20 Chinese patients in Canada are searching for a stem cell donor that can save their lives. People 17-50 years of age are needed to join OneMatch registry.
There is a National Chinese Stem Cell Drive taking place in Vancouver and Toronto on Saturday, March 27 from 11am-5pm. There are three locations in the Greater Toronto Area and one Greater Vancouver:
Markham: First Markham Place (Hwy 7/Woodbine)
Scarborough: Splendid China Mall (Kennedy Rd/Steeles Ave E.)
Toronto: Chinese Gospel Church (450 Dundas West/Spadina – Chinatown)
Richmond: Aberdeen Centre (No 3 Rd/Cambie Rd)
To find out more information, please visit www.chinesestemcell.ca or www.onematch.ca today! Registering as a stem cell donor is free.
When Lisa declared at the Erotika Dinner a month ago that she wanted an Avatar-themed dinner, the chefs said — and I quote — “We are not making blue food!”
The saying “I’m going to eat my words” comes to mind, because yes indeed, we ate blue food. Not only that, but the house was decorated like the film’s lush tropical forest called Pandora — I’m just relaying what I heard because I haven’t seen the movie — and there was a point in the evening before the dessert where we sat on the floor around some candles to re-enact a scene… and that’s where they totally lost me.
At any rate, I was there for the food and music. The Oscars? Who cares! Bring on the (blue) food!
The menu:
Blue Cabbage Coleslaw
Blue Cheese on Belgian Endive with Cranberries and Pecans
Paupiette of Ocean Perch and Bok Choy on Black Quinoa
Osso Bucco (Veal Shank) with Blue Potato au Gratin and Purple Carrots
Blueberry Icewine Sorbet with a Raspberry Coulis and Wafer Cookie
Still uploading, but I’ve started a photoset, which is best viewed as a [slideshow] or [thumbnails] or in the Pictobrowser below:
images & text © 2002-2010 All Rights Reserved by Gail Edwin-Fielding.
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