FUJI

1 hour ago, Kobione said:

Great to see you again Fuji, and love that smile!!

Cheers! Dee,

Good to learn that you are still ticking regardless too.

FUJI

5 hours ago, Clicker said:

I realise that I couldn't  put up that pic   for  POTW ( it's not my turn either  )  but   I would have bent the rules    for Christmas  if I had my way !! lol   It  was just  so nice to see you looking  so well ....a bit thinner  but still with a twinkle in your eye ...  I think the ladies always    bring that out in you   !

Thanks Polly,

I have lost over 3 stones in two years , the first two deliberately, after walking for 2 miles every morning, plus going on. Mediterranean  diet , but the rest have dropped off since last June. 
The twinkle in my eye?

My cafe proprietor friend, can make me blush at any time, she loves amusing my friends whilst embarrassing me……Great Fun ! 
 

She and her hubby make the best Italian Coffee.

FUJI

7 hours ago, Clicker said:

With all your health issues Fooj , it did my heart good to get a reply to my message to you .. your indomitable   spirit and  positive demeanour is always inspiring  so, even though you may not get out so much  especially in this cold snap,  please just pop in and  tell us your news in the Latte Lounge  when you can   for a catch up ... I'm sure you will find lots of Tipf  members  happy to chew the fat with you !   I  for one   will be  !  The lovely  pic of you with the  cafe proprietor is   just lovely to see ... In fact it would be my POTW ....if it was my turn. ! ! 

Thanks Polly and all, 

I’m here doing my usual, early hours look at my iPad, I sleep extremely well , but in thre to five hour blocks , any time of day ;-))

You couldn't put the pic of me up for POTW Polly , it wasn’t taken by me, but thanks for the kind thought.

FUJI

Hi, folks,

I have explained to Clicker that I have had a very rough ride health wise during the past six months.

My photography has taken a hit after four hospitalisations , seeing  me diagnosed with heart failure; relying on a pacemaker,  strong medications., plus a new mobility scooter…….. such is life !
 

But I remain as positive as ever, below you see me in my favourite Italian cafe , with its lovely proprietor, next to one of my favourite Candid Street Photographs of the year. My take  on a.    VERMEER.    perhaps ?

I wish every one a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.

FUJI

Hi…..Thank you so much.

Ive bitten the bullet this week , and ordered a  mobility scooter.    Something Inhave been dreading for years.

All, of my energy has just drained away….it hasn’t stopped me shooting photographs though..

FUJI

1 hour ago, Ryewolf said:

Great shot Cyril after watching you in Stratford a few years ago I'm still amazed by how many good shots you post without actually looking through the viewfinder or rear viewscreen.

Thank you Rye,

praise indeed, much appreciated.

So much water has gone under the bridge, since that amazing TIPF Day Out, I still treasure the pics we shot that day.

I thank God, that I’m still able to go for my daily shoot, with the occassional, proper Street Shoot, in Leamington, Coventry or Stratford, my great photographer pal Brent , is my willing driver and carer for the day; we always end up with a great lunch.

He has adopted my old GX8 , my GX9 is used with my large vintage lens collection, with my lovely X 100V being my go-to camera now.

FUJI

5 hours ago, Kobione said:

What beautiful colour to see, if only for a moment Fuji!!

Cheers1 Dee.

Great to learn that you are still ticking……

I am  with the aid incredible technology and meds…. Still, out most days with a camera…..

FUJI

Thank you Mark…….

Exactly !

FUJI

We live in an 1875 house with typical dark corners, one of those places is the foot of the stairs, where I sit, to tie my shoelaces.

‘Yesterday , on the very first day of winter, I was doing exactly that, in preparation for my usual walk; suddenly this full spectrum of light appeared on the quarry tiles, so I fetched a sheet of white paper , giving me just enough time to capture those amazingly pure colours.

Where had they come from?  The pair of middle doors both have genuine Victorian, cut-lead-crystal faceted door knobs , which I rescued from a grand rectory during the early 1960s. I was part of the joinery team doing a complete restoration. Two of us were allowed to share two sets each, after the new owners decided on matching porcelain sets for the whole house.

The kitchen door-knob, had projected a single shaft of bright morning sun through one of its many corners, producing this full spectrum of pure colours ; it lasted just a few seconds.

FUJI

? ? ?

Hi, I thank you for your kind words and observations.

That is so good to learn, the more you practice the more skillful you will become.

The golden rules are.   Try to become invisible, leave camera and lens bags behind, likewise tripod or monopod, travel light.

Shooting from the hip is the term, for not using viewfinder or rear screen, yes; you will get many crooked , or unusual angles, but, as you say, they can add dynamism and drama.

The late great Gary Winogrand made them, his trademark…..I use many of his , techniques during my outings. He became an expert, in looking as though he was simply testing his camera settings, whilst pressing the shutter…. I am also a huge fan of the enigmatic Vivian Maier ….

People often wonder how I can get so very close to my unsuspecting subjects, during my searches for , my mono Candids; shots which are unposed, completely, natural and spontaneous .

Here , then is the answer, my newish camera, is small, I’m not striking a, photographers pose.   I shoot blind, without using the viewfinder or the back screen.

Yes! I miss quite a few, but the occasional number are real winners . 
 

My subjects don’t need to be behind a cafe window, but I am pleased this lady was, because I am featured in mid-shot….. fascinating stuff ?

FUJI

Thank you all.

My approach to Street Photography has changed greatly, the same goes for , post processing.

I am much sneakier now, an oldie like me can be invisible in Crowd. My Fujifilm X 100 V , appears innocuous compared to many other cameras.

No more shooting in color then using CS6, Topaz and Silver Effex for me….I have a vintage film/Leica simulation set in menus…good looking shots appear, as long as I get the three main manual settings right for the weather and light.

‘My challenge is to get as close to my subjects as I can, unnoticed, using the same methods as the late great Gary Winogrand .

FUJI

3 hours ago, CMunzel said:

It’s great to have you back posting, Fuji. These photos look good in black and white: sharp with lots of contrast. 

Many thanks, for your observations and kind words, I shoot mainly in black and white for my, Street, projects now.

The camera has lots of amazing pre-sets of film simulation , so no post processing required except for cropping and straightening if required.

I have to take things very slowly now; so no rushing about, or stress..

FUJI

Hi, folks,

I have recently bounced back, from an extremely scary period of my life; since my pace maker was fitted back in early June, I have been forced to call out emergency ambulances three times , with stays in hospital, with chest pains , shortness of breath and collapsing…. To cut a long story short, I have advanced age heart failure, incurable but treatable they say. So CT scans, chest x-rays , echo cardiograms , much prodding and incredible changes of medication ; I am able to walk into town again with my camera. Naturally I have strict order to take things slowly; so no shopping, I have it all delivered weekly now.

This means I can concentrate on my new Street project of totally unposed candies of many of the people who happen to cross my path. My aim is to be as invisible, and unnoticed as possible to get really close to my subject. A very real challenge , I use various techniques including that used by Garry Winogrand, who pretended to be adjusting his camera, whilst shooting from the hip or shoulder.

Here are a selection of my best, to date; all will eventually be self published like my other projects.

My Fujifilm X 100 V is a truly remarkable camera and lens, it is often mistaken for a vintage film camera; I am stopped in the street quite often , by once users of of film cameras in the past..

I’m sorry I’ve been absent for so long, but it is what happens as age takes a grip.

very best regards

FUJI

It is just over a year now since we adopted Nala, who had spent most of her tiny life in a vets being treated for unexplained lacerations on her tiny tummy. Then, on being prepared for spaying  ready for  rehoming, cysts we’re discovered on her ovaries… that meant another few weeks in the vets  hospital, and then in a foster home. She is a Bengal cross , so can be extremely lively as she proved to us by knocking things of high surfaces , during her first few weeks.

Since then she has slowly but surely turned into a most amusing, loving, affectionate indoor cat; she loves her toys, craves affection , and returns it in bucketfuls , thes three pics show just what I mean.

FUJI….Health report.

‘Three weeks ago, I had another set-back , after experiencing chest pains in the early hours, a 999 call saw paramedics treating my for  over an hour, then admission from A&E to a cardiac ward. Thankfully, after, tests, a scan, X-rays , blood tests and much prodding , heart problems post pacemaker were dismissed. But I was kept on oxygen for the whole of my stay of four days. It has since been discovered that I have been suffering a severe internal infection , which affected the whole of my immune system… a course of anti-biotic cured this, slowly my oxygen levels, BP and heart rate , are normalising; a further check by my doctor is due tomorrow… 

Have no fear though, I am back on my feet, doing my usual Street Photography, Art projects and woodwork, besides meeting friend over coffee on a daily basis… I’m just an ancient old fogey , who refuses to give up…….

Nala has been a huge part in my recovery .

Best regards to all

FUJI

I couldn’t resist recording this little spaceman re-docking with his …Mother-Ship.

FUJI

I know that look so very, very well, plus a double meow of annoyance.

Cats are amazing….

FUJI

17 hours ago, VWGolf said:

She is very beautiful, Fuji
My Baz is a house cat because the front of this block of flats is on a busy main road!

So early on, I decided to buy him a harness and lead and he now knows he is going out when I put his harness on  (He also has a collar that holds his Apple air tag, just in case I somehow lose him, I could track him with my iPhone.)

I recommend a harness (unlike the coat Baz is wearing here, which I found is not escape proof) that is buckled separately on the neck strap and the chest strap.  Don't buy a figure eight one, as if they pull suddenly, it can tighten with one strap whilst loosening the other.
Taking things slowly, introduce the harness/lead into the room.  If she investigates it, tell her she's a good girl and give her a treat.  When she's used to it being around, drape it over her, let her get used to the idea.  Praise plus treat.
Eventually, try it on her for a few moments, then take it off.  Praise plus treat.
When she eventually gets used to having it on, let her wander round the house with it,  Eventually introduce the lead in the same way. (Never leave her alone whilst wearing them, just in case they get stuck somewhere and get tight round their neck.
When she's OK with them both, open the door and introduce her to the garden.  Eventually, take her on little walks round the garden.  
It is NOTHING like walking a dog!  I take Baz along the local quiet lane.  A lot of the time is spent sniffing under hedges and suchlike.  I expect people in the local houses only see me, loitering around their street and talking to myself.
And he insists on walking along the top of gardens walls and peering into people gardens.  And windows! <sigh>

But if you are able to take her out like this, it will enrich her life, enable her to bird watch, etc.
(One of my duties with the local cat rescues, besides vet runs and fund-raising is going out to pick up cats who have been killed in road accidents, take them to a vet to be scanned to try to let their owner know.)
Good luck - with a bit of gentle exercise for you and a lot of entertainment for everyone

WOW! ……. A huge thank you for all if this wonderful feedback…. Nala’s is still,a feisty very young adult , the introduction to her harness is a very slow one… I would rather be safe than sorry, we too live on a very busy main road, our old, and most of our neighbour’s cats have had expensive brushes with traffic, and, once,  with a lead-less racing greyhound ..

Nala spent the whole of her kitten-hood in a rescue vets hospital, with serious cruel, septic, lacerations of her abdomen,  then on being prepared for spaying  later they discovered cysts on her ovaries, meaning even more surgery… we rescued her from a foster carer. They , and we have been totally amazed at her transformation , from a terrified bundle into the confident , funny, strong feline she is today.

Thank you again.

FUJI

The open-air seating at our local cafe’s are proving to be very popular this summer.

The a decisive Moment !

FUJI

Our rescue cat , Nala, has been with us for almost a year now ,  as you can see, she is beautiful, gentle, funny, and somewhat eccentric. She loves to hide in plain sight, her natural camouflage is incredible…. She still has bouts of the , Zoomies, but doesn’t climb as high, and she doesn’t break thing from high  sideboard displays as when she first arrived.

Here she has totally surprised my by literally flying on to my chair back, like a greased rocket..then sitting behind my head staring with those an]maxing yellow eyes of hers. her climbing tree is a great favourite too, as is hiding, or observing from the top of the stairs.

On meeting her first thing, or on me returning from outside, she automatically rolls right over, then stretches to her full length for a vigourus tummy rub… loves being brushe but not being picked up or cuddled… she prefers to choose herself if she wants attention, by bunting us white her hard pretty head.

She never demands food… makes a sachet of wet food last a morning…then helps herself from a bowl of best quality kibbles  and her water fountain…

We don’t let her outside, so she is a true house cat…. I have an escape -proof harness and lead, so one day I can take her into our tiny back garden…but not yet because it is like attempting to dress an clawed octopus just yet.

After her truly horrible start to life as a seriously abused kitten, she is  , happy, thriving, funny,,eccentric, lovable and cheeky … 

FUJI

1 hour ago, Andyandhazel said:

I really like the ahh a nice cuppa one.

Thank you Andy….much appreciated….a little like Ena Sharples.   Isn’t she?

1 hour ago, JamesT said:

Why? if you need wheels use what is to hand.

Actually my interpretation is that he is collecting donations for a charity shop, and the sewing machine, pram and other boxes are being loaded into the van.

You are spot on James…..well done that man….

FUJI