Posts

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Coffee

Coffee is much, much more then just your standard hot caffeinated drink.

I gave up on instant over ten years ago. Now I mainly drink filter at home and french press at work. I buy freshly roasted beans from our local roaster and we are luckily in having two top coffee sellers in Lincoln to choose from.

At weekends I often make myself and Caroline an expresso at home, but I am also not too much a coffee snob to enjoy a trip down to the local Starbucks or Costa.

But apart from a french press how to enjoy a good cup at work. Something a little closer to an expresso perhaps.

Now hauling my expresso machine to work and using that would not be allowed, but after a bit of research I came across a device called an Aeropress, while not strictly an expresso maker an interesting device that looked ideal for a work environment.

Well I have placed an order, but what coffee to try it out with. Something that not only makes a good filter coffee but also a good expresso, it had to be ‘Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Pure Yellow Bourbon from the Minas Gerais’ a fine single estate coffee, freshly roasted.

My mouth is watering at the very thought.

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Unforeseen Break

Had a week’s break from work, blogging; everything actually. Been quite ill this last week.

No photography, no motorcycling, just complete rest after a surprise trip to the hospital. Still not completely well and whats worse I cannot ride the motorcycle, thats the worse of it.

Hopefully I’ll be fit again soon.

Also an apology to the model I was hoping to work with this weekend, hopefully we can reschedule soon, it was quite an exciting shoot planned, outdoors, models, horses and dynamic action.

There is also a top London model coming down in March, we have been hoping to work together for a while, lets hope I am well, and our schedules fit.

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Loading a Hassleblad 120 back

Film: Loading a camera.

A bit of a lost art now a days.  Most 35mm SLR users have now switched to digital, and most of the last 35mm SLR’s were auto loading.  For users of medium format, large format camera’s, film is still the medium of choice.

For Hasselblad users of the V system, loading a film for the first time can be tricky so heres a very useful youtube video to help you out.

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Superbowl

Sunday night was Superbowl night.

You might find it odd but as a British person I hate football, or soccer as it is called in the rest of the world. I do enjoy Tennis, Rugby and American Football.

Unfortunately I had an early meeting on Monday, so decided record the Superbowl. I had to spend today avoiding the news but managed, and now as I type this the half time show is on my TV.

Its not looking good for Pittsburgh as I watch, while enjoying a beer but they ended the first half with their first touch down, lets home for a close game in the second half. Its 21 – 10 with Green Bay winning. Time to open another beer!

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Wildlife and Early Mornings

An early start and I was at the location for just before dawn where I met Chris. Chris being the wildlife photographer while I am more a people and landscape photographer.

We set ourselves up near the lake and waited for the early morning sun to appear.

As far as the weather it started fine but a gentle drizzle soon started.

There was continuous over cast cloud overhead, and good light never appeared, so it was a no go for landscape photography.

As we setup a Heron appeared and settled on its nest on the island in the middle of the lake. More birds gradually appeared but with the heavy cloud cover the sun did little to improve the light levels.

With the cameras set to high ISO (ASA) we practiced our photography but with little hope.

A few Cormorants flew in as did some Canadian Geese, to join the Ducks and Cootes already on the lake.

We spend an hour photographing the wildlife before the rain started to get a little too heavy even for our weather sealed professional lens and bodies so we packed a way and headed for the nearest Starbucks to warm ourselves up with hot coffee.

A shame we did not get any good shots but wildlife photography is difficult and one should always practice when one can. You will never get that award winning shot if you stay home in your nice warm bed. At least thats what I keep telling myself.

If you want to see some better shots check out Chris photos from last week. His shots from this morning are here.

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Corporate Portraits

Its a long day, today.

The day started with some corporate photography.

Not always the easiest subject. It was an award presentation. As usual the room was less then idea, the presentation took place with a glass wall behind, so I had to ask them to move slightly to make the best of it.

I have yet to back up the photos, complete the editing and photoshop the final selects which are due to the customer on Monday.

Not only that, I have a wildlife and landscape shoot tomorrow at Dawn. Oh hard is the life of a photographer.

Looking forward to getting home and at least getting a little sleep. I love landscape photography but my downfall is always the early starts.

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Weather Protection

Radiator Protection

I would not class the BMW R1200GS as a tourer but it does make a very good one, in fact better then most so called tourers.  I also have not really considered the weather protection it offers.  The standard GS has that large screen and slightly bulbous tank but thats hardly a full fairing.

Today I dropped off the GS at the local BMW dealer for its 18000 mile service and a new rear tire.  In return they have lent me the F800GS, a baby GS if you will, which has  a bikini faring.  The difference in the weather protection on the two bikes was like night and day.

Crossing the Ford

I had felt warm and cosseted on the big GS, but wind and cold soon had be shivering on the ride home on the little GS.

It really has re-enforced for me what a truly great bike the big R1200GS is.  Comfort is right up there with the best, and for someone like me who rides nearly every day no matter what the weather this is important.

If your after a small fun motorcycle give the F800GS a try, its a fun bike but not one for winter!