My first fisheye trial

Ok, so I do not have a fisheye lens, but D7000 has a special trick I have just discovered… [click on each photo to enlarge it!]

My antique world (1): object 1 (the gramophone) and the ‘making of’

Today I am starting a new series on this blog, since I decided to put together my passion for photography and that for antiquities. Because I was not able to build a real photo studio (which seems to be really expensive) I had to improvise – and it was a real challenge, starting with all the problems raised by fluorescent lightening, the trouble to find a proper ‘backdrop’, the difficulty to take pictures of some objects, and so on.  But finally I did it, and once a week you will see the results. You can also see at the end of this post some photos ‘behind the scenes’

I decided to start with this gramophone, or phonograph I bought from a flea market in Fiesole (close to Florence, Italy) in 2010. It seems to be a His Master’s Voice but I am not sure whether this is the real thing made somewhere in the 1930′s or some sort of reproduction. However, it looks nice and it is fully functional, as you can see in the third picture. But I have to tell you, I am not using it too often – the sound is incredible loud, and the neighbours are obviously not very happy. I’ve found on the internet some gramophones which look very similar to this one here, here, here, here, and here. You can also watch the following episodes/posts of ‘My antique world’ here. And don’t forget: double click on each photo to enlarge it!

And here are the photos ‘behind the scenes’ (i.e., the ‘making of’):

My Budapest (32): Mangalica festival, 2013 edition

I hope you enjoyed the 2012 Mangalica festival in Budapest! In 2013, it took place on the 10th of February (the same traditional place – Szabadság tér), and it had some interesting features (setting aside, of course, the usual pálinka bottles and all the Hungarian heavy food). Only three photos, this time: the first shows a man dressed in a traditional sheepskin waistcoat (which is also used by all shepherds in the Carpathian basin). The second photo shows a miniature representing a house and its courtyard – everything is made out of… sausages, bacon, and other traditional products made out of Mangalica (Mangalitsa) meat! Finally, the third and last photo shows you some beautiful live animals (more photos here; the festival’s official website is here; read about Mangalitsa here). Enjoy, and don’t forget: click on each photo to enlarge it!

My Budapest (31): Winter

Since writing the first full draft of my PhD thesis was a race against time this winter, I didn’t have too many free moments for photography these months – so I could say the only things I am remembering from this period are some images from Városliget / City Park (Budapest), taken between December 2012 and March 2013. Hope you will enjoy them too! [Don't forget: double click on each photo to enlarge it!]

Fashion photography: winter collection

Couldn’t pay too much attention to photography these last months, so I am trying now to recover… Of course, some winter photos, since now winter is almost over… The following three photos were taken on 14 January 2013 in Városliget (Budapest, Hungary). Enjoy! [And don't forget: double click on each photo to enlarge it!]

Forbidden dreams

Photos taken on 25.11.2012 (Budapest, Hungary). Enjoy! [Don't forget: double click on each photo to enlarge it!]

Helga (2): Happy twelfth birthday!

Today, Helga is 12 years old! Happy birthday my darling! See also an amazing photo of Helga here. Photos taken on December 2012 – couldn’t make a photo session today, she is massively shedding (loosing her hair) and she’s almost naked As always, double click on each photo to enlarge it!

My Budapest (30): our children must know their Leader!

The cult of personality in Hungary is growing bigger and bigger. This is a toy (representing Prime Minister Viktor Orban) I found in a down-town store Budapest just a few days before last Christmas (foto taken on 21.12.2012). As always (but this time, only if you have enough courage) double click on the photo to enlarge it.

‘What is pleasure but a pipe?’

‘What’s this world without its pleasure? / What is pleasure but a pipe?’ (from W. H. Logan, ‘Pedlar’s Pack of Ballads’)

[Read the whole poetry after the pictures. Photos taken on 25.11. 2012, Vörösmarty tér, down-town Budapest.  And don't forget: click on each photo to enlarge it!]

THE PIPE OF TOBACCO

(from W. H. Logan, ‘Pedlar’s Pack of Ballads’) [link]

Why should life in sorrow be spent,
When pleasure points to the road,
Wherein each traveler with content,
May throw off the ponderous load?

And instead, in ample measure,
Gather fruits too long left ripe;
What’s this world without its pleasure?
What is pleasure but a pipe?

See the sailor’s jovial state,
Mark the soldier’s noble soul;
What doth heroes renovate?
What refines the splendid bowl?

Is it not tobacco dear,
That from the brow fell grief can wipe?
Yes! Like them with jolly cheer,
I find pleasure in a pipe.

Some are fond of care and grief,
Some take pleasure in sad strife,
Some pursue a false belief;
Few there are that enjoy life.

Some delight in envy ever,
Others avaricious gripe;
Would you know our greatest pleasure?
‘Tis a glowing social pipe.

My Budapest (29): Városliget (3) – Monument of the 1956 Revolution

Being mesmerized by the different faces the monument shows every day (try to watch it surrounded by fog, embraced by night, or covered by snow…). Enjoy, and don’t forget: double click on each photo to enlarge it!