For years, photography aficionados have attempted to rebuff the ever growing influx of the digital age. Even today, many who consider themselves true photographers prefer manual cameras with traditional film. Yet an increasing number of artists have realized that the new technology of today can not only be used effectively for practical purposes, but can be used to create art in a new way, a way that would not be available but for our digital age.Of course, artistic digital photography, like traditional photographic art, takes a special kind of camera. That is not to say that amateurs cannot create art with a standard point and shoot digital camera, but rather, that those who are serious about digital photography as an art form prefer a specific type of camera: the digital single-lens reflex or dSLR. A dSLR is really nothing more than a duplication of the traditional manual version, the SLR. It operates on the same principles, with one obvious difference: where a SLR would have film, a dSLR has what is called an image sensor called a CCD or CMOS.But what makes dSLR’s and SLR’s different from other cameras in general? Well, a traditional camera makes use of an off axis viewfinder (mounted above or to the side of the actual image the lens “sees”) that can distort the image you see and want to capture, creating what is called “parallax”. With an SLR, this is remedied by using an internal prism to project the same image seen in the lens up and onto the viewfinder, by passing the parallax distortion that occurs in other cameras. Because artists have generally preferred the accuracy of SLR’s, the inception and growing adoption of their digital counterparts has made artistic digital photography spark from an ember to a roaring bonfire of popularity. Other advantages, artistically speaking, of a dSLR over a traditional digital camera include the manual functionality inherent in most models, and the speed.Enough with the technical banter. Put simply, as digital cameras swiftly become faster and allow higher resolution, their following in the artistic world grows. In fact, at this point in time, digital cameras are even beginning to surpass their manual predecessors, something that some traditional photographers can scarcely believe to be true.Of course, digital photography does have its downsides when compared to traditional film, but it also has its perks. The technological advantage on the digital side is greater than many believe. With digital image filters, special processors and incredibly powerful computer based editing tools, an artist can truly make pixels come alive in a whole new way with digital photography. With traditional film, an artist must spend hours in a darkroom, processing film and mixing chemicals in order to turn out the print that they are looking for. With digital film editing tools, the need for the complex development process is all but gone: a digital photographer need only upload his images to a computer and he is then free to edit them to his hearts content: cropping, light filters, rotating, highlighting, color spectrum adjustments, and layering as well as many more complex processes can all be done with the click of a mouse.Whether you are an amateur photographer who wants to make the most of their hobby or a professional artist who needs control, speed and accuracy as well as editing ability, artistic digital photography can turn simple images on an internal processor into stunning, compelling art. So what are you waiting for? Dive right in and start enjoying the freedom and power of digital photography and create the art you’ve always wanted to create.
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Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!
He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.
But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.
Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!
Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.
We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.
Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.
Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!
But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.
Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.
Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.
And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.
All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.
He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.