Square

I notice recently that I’ve been cropping some of my images to a square or 4×5 format. I find that the 3×2 format of 35mm and D-SLR cameras don’t always work for what I’m shooting. I never used to crop my photos because I was framing the subject to fit in the camera viewfinder but it did not work when I viewed it on paper or on the screen.

However, I noticed that when I cropped some of them, it gave them a new life and changed the perspective of the photo. I’m sure I learned why in school, but my brain is like a sieve and I usually forget such minute technical details. I normally would shoot, process the levels and then post – maybe I could not be bothered to crop photos before.

Now that I think about it, why isn’t all film/digital in a more square format? Lenses are round and if film is not, there’s a lot of wasted space. I will guess that it started with some film manufacturing executive fitting into the manufacturing process or something like that. I’m going to a camera show on the weekend so I’m sure some people can let me in on the secret.

Enough talk, here are some pictures. Two of my favorite images, one square, one 4×5. Ironically, both from NY – maybe that’s what changed. Click on either image to jump to my flickr set.

Slideshows of the sets; click on the larger image to advance to the next one.

The 4×5 flickr set:

The square format set:

Boxed

I listed my former Nikon D200 camera along with my tourist zoom lens on Sunday and I sold the camera tonight; the lens is still for sale. I was surprised because I thought the lens would sell sooner. I’m about to buy a new camera but I haven’t decided which one to get. I think I already know, but I’m thinking of a few different options. I had this one for almost two years. I honestly thought I would have owned it for much longer – but I guess two years is a lifetime in the age of electronics. One can’t get attached to objects.

I definitely learned a lot from this camera – including lighting, exposure and especially effects with a fisheye lens. I haven’t decided what to do with the fisheye lens since it only works on the smaller frame digital cameras and not the full frame digital cameras – which I am very likely about to buy. Maybe I’ve outgrown the fisheye lens. A fellow photographer told me that I would probably outgrow it in about a year and a half – I’m three months away from that since I got the fisheye lens in 2007. Although I am curious to experiment with a super-wide angle lens. That could be my next challenge.

Some recent images with the D200 and fisheye lens.

Pirate

Paul Watson, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society being interviewed after a screening of the Dan Stone documentary, At the Edge of the World at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society enforces international maritime law under the United Nations World Charter for Nature – despite having no official mandate or authorization to enforce any legislation. They target Japanese vessels that continue to hunt whales despite an international ban. The poachers exploit a loophole that allows killing for scientific research, but the whale meat usually ends up in restaurant kitchens. Sea Shepherd’s goal is to stop the slaughter, even if it requires aggressive actions against the whaling pirates.

Blackout

Five years ago yesterday, it was a Thursday afternoon. I was at the office and it was just past 4:00p; I was on the phone with my girlfriend [at that time] because we were arranging to go to York University to watch the Canadian Open tennis tournament in the evening. During the conversation, the lights, computer and other electrical appliances in the office went dead. I looked out the window and noticed that the subway train below had stopped in its tracks also – I knew something was not right.

Walking home through the streets of Toronto seemed to be a jovial experience. Everyone was talking; traffic was cooperating and nobody seemed to be complaining. I got a free popsicle from a store that was giving them away. I also got some free iced tea and water from a restaurant that had set up a table for all the people walking home.

I ended up having a party for some friends (that could get to my apartment) to eat my frozen food and drink my beer before it got warm. I didn’t care about the beer, but it was a good reason to have a party.

We celebrated the fifth anniversary last night in Toronto with several groups, including: PS Kensington, Critical Mass and Newmindspace that culminated at Spadina and Bloor streets in a street party.

The night started with a spectacular sunset, which set the mood for the party.

Here is my flickr set from the evening. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.

Boycott

After getting psyched to try a vegan faux chicken sandwich after the Peta announcement in June, the nutrition information that I requested from KFC arrived today. It turns out that even after omitting the mayonnaise, the faux chicken sandwich is not vegan nor is it even vegetarian because it is cooked in the same oil that is used to cook the chicken. Even without chicken flesh, the sandwich is still a dirty bird sandwich. I’ll skip this meal.

Here are the nutrition facts and ingredients information that I obtained from the KFC holding company, Priszm.

Rooftop

In a friend’s short film, Berlin, the main character states that, “adventures are as common as rooftops.” – I definitely like an adventure. Perhaps that’s why I like being on the roof so much. Actually almost anywhere up high where I can get a good view and a different perspective. This includes mountains, airplanes, tall buildings and, of course, the roof of buildings. Mountains and airplanes are more difficult to come by, however, buildings and rooftops can be had almost anywhere.

Toronto and New York rooftops.

Sometimes even the rooftop isn’t high enough.

My rooftop set on Flickr. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.

Faux

I can’t recall the last time I ate at KFC – it was definitely before I became vegetarian. However, I’m contemplating going back for a visit to test out their new faux chicken sandwich that was announced after talks with PETA as part of a deal to use chickens from facilities that use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK).

Six of us, three veg – three non-veg, are planning to go test it out because I want to know various opinions. I can’t remember what chicken tastes like so it would be good to have the opinion of someone that has eaten real chicken lately. The piece that I wrote earlier stated vegan faux chicken but the information on the link provided did not state vegan. I sent an inquiry to KFC to find out the ingredients of the sandwich. Hopefully, I get a response before I go to the restaurant. The image of the coupon appears with some white stuff which is probably mayonnaise, but that is easily omitted. Hopefully the rest is without animal products. It will be an interesting test.

Click on the image below and it will take you to the PETA page with a link to a printable coupon. I’ll post again next week after we have tried it. Perhaps you can try it and come back and let me (and curious readers) know what you thought of it.

[Update 8.7.08] This sandwich is not vegan or even vegetarian because it is cooked in the same oil that is used to cook the chickens. I wrote about it here.

Exquisito

I wrote about how some don’t have enough food in the last post; I sometimes can’t get enough. However, the guacamole exquisito at Sneaky Dee’s is always green, always good and always more than enough – but I always finish it. Now I need a nap.

Images of some food that I’ve had recently. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.

Eat

Free vegetarian food on the streets of Toronto to raise awareness of the abundance of food for some and lack of it for others. This happens everywhere, from nation to nation and in communities within cities and towns. I’m surprised that we have so much that it can be given away when there are others that must use food banks or go without. The meal was put together with ingredients that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Food Not Bombs works to end hunger and has supported actions to stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, end exploitation and the destruction of the earth. On this particular day, they were raising awareness about how much food is wasted around the world – yet there are still so many without.

Chocolate

Chocolate bars from Food Not Candy – makers of chocolate from 100% cacao, raw and organic. No preservative or additives. Probably the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted.