Valencia photographs

New photos added to my flickr site.

Taken on a work-away-weekend in Valencia. Great place, great weekend.

Never in the field of debauchery has so much been drunk by so many in so short a space of time.

Good things in little packages

Found this article about using 50mm lens.

Interesting for me because I've recently decided to go back to basics and get to grips with using a 50mm lens. Ever since i began to use SLRs i've only used standard 28-80mm zoom lens, so when I brought my Nikon FM2 from ebay I was intrigued with the additional lenses it came with.

The 50mm lens was, for me, at first an intimidating item. To frame the shot you have to physically move closer or away from the subject. Yet once this characteristic was understood I quickly grew to enjoy the benefits of using this lens.

Low light environments were captured with ease and the depth of field was dramatically different to a zoom lens. A distinctly different aesthetic.

Photographs of people have always been an area i've avoided but this type of lens is ideal for portraits, and as it makes the camera smaller and light it means i have been able to take it down the pub and out and about to capture people in action.

Some examples here. More will be added as shots are developed, nothing wonderful but good to be exploring a different direction.

Gang culture in London

A complete list of London gang names can be seen here.
Via Coudal, Originally from Blogdial, Initally from a DPS in the Evening Standard. Phew!

If you go down to the shops today, You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the shops today, You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry hoodie that ever there was, Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Hoodies gonna get whack up.

Ev'ry chav who's been bad, Is sure of a beating today.
There's lots of small kids to beat, And innocent people to slap.

Beneath the arches where nobody sees, They'll hide and scrap as long as they please.
'Cause that's the way the ASBOs have their rumbles.

If you go down to the shops today, You'd better not go alone.
It's chaos down in the shops today, far safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry hoodie that ever there was, Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the hoodies have a f*ckin' great big rumble.

West Country photos

Fresh from the country, a dose of late summer fun in wales and somerset.

Thanks to Rob and Marty for the organisation. See you soon fellas.