Leica M 240's Red Dot Attracts Attention

Taken with Rioch GR-D IV in macro mode.1/500th sec F/2.8 @ ISO 125. Edited in Photoscape.

I was walking through my favourite alley testing out the latest Leica M Type 240 camera, when a barista through an open window yelled out: "Hey, you shooting with an M9?".  Yes, the red dot gets a lot of attention. He wasn't the only person who noticed the camera, although he was the second person to actually call out to me and ask. The rest just lustfully stared at the latest and greatest Leica camera body as I quickly skipped past...

Backpacking Model and Biology Student

It's amazing who you can meet while taking the bus. We usually see interesting people all the time, but never have the courage to start up a conversation for fear of rejection. I sat behind Rosa and the first thing I noticed was her big hair. I wanted to take a picture, but it's hard to ask to take a picture while sitting on the bus. However, we both got off at the same stop and were going the same direction so I started talking with her. 

The Ricoh GR, a Hipster, and a Yellow Fixe

I was out testing both the Ricoh GR and GR-D IV when I saw a young hipster leaning up against a pole next to a hip yellow fixie. Cool shot I thought. I asked him if the bike was his and he said no. He didn't like the narrow handle bars, more show than function. We debated the merits of different handlebar shapes and configurations since we both like riding bikes, especially fixies.

I asked Joseph if I could take a picture of him next to the bike since it seemed to match his style (in my eyes anyways) and he agreed. His pose was totally natural. I didn't ask him to move or stand in any particular way. The reason why he's looking down at his hands is because he's admiring one of my Moo business cards. Thanks for the shot Joseph. Perhaps I'll see you around on your bike next time.

This picture was taken with the Ricoh GR D IV at F/2.8, 1/90 sec, iso 80. 

Full Review of the Compact Fuji-Film X-F1

It's taken me a very long time to come out with my review of the Fuji-film X-F1. The reason is because I didn't know if I wanted to give it a thumbs up, or thumbs sideways. It's definitely not a thumbs down. So let's start off with my conclusion: It's a thumbs up. It's a great camera that has the potential to become an even greater camera. Let's see why I feel this way in this full review...

Well Dressed People Stand Out of a Crowd

Ok, I guess I kinda cheated by colour-isolating this well dressed older gentleman, but I was just trying to make my point even clearer. This dapper grandpa really stood out of the crowd while waiting for his bus on Hastings Street.

I'll give him 100 points for his suit, 20 points for his sweater, 40 for his slim wallet, another 50 for his hat and shades, and a bonus 100 points for his cool, calm countenance and dignified posture...minus 20 for his shoes and another minus 50 for his roller-bag.  Overall, 240 points. That's a solid 220 points above everyone else around him put together!!

This only proves you don't have to be rich or young to dress well in public. You just have to care enough and take the time to put yourself together. That's it. Thank you sir!!

Nikola the Street Painter from Yugoslavia

Nikola is from Yugoslavia. He studied art all over Europe, including France and Germany. He's travelled the world making a living as a street artist. In today's modern, fast-paced world, can someone still make enough to live on doing art on the street? As I dropped in some money into his hat, I noticed it was filled with $1 and $2 coins. Not bad...

The last few years he's spent his time in Canada. He's in Toronto and Ottawa in the summers, and makes his way out West during the winter months. He's made his temporary home base at the corner of Howe and Robson, underneath the covered entrance to the old Sears building (the soon to be Nordstrom) where he can draw on the sidewalk with no fear of the Vancouver rain to wash away his work prematurely.

An Accordionist, His Dog and a Little Boy

As a street photographer, I appreciate street artists. They are often colourful individuals, they're stationary (easier to get a few good shots), and if you contribute financially to their performance, they don't mind you taking pictures of them. This performer was an accordionist, a rarity in the world of buskers. I wanted to get a nice environmental shot with people passing by, so I backed up a bit. At the same time, a mother decided to send her young son to put money into the busker's old broken case. I noticed the dog acting very anxious, probably due to the anxiety of the little kid, not understanding the instructions of his mother of where to put the money...and that's when it happened!!

Canon G1X, The Street and the Cool Guy

I notice many photographers trying to be street-style photographers, but are neglecting one of the most useful traits of a street shooter: discretion. We don't have to be invisible, like a paparazzi stealing images across the street, or like a sniper-photographer trying to shoot a polar bear and her cubs. However, it's good to blend in. 

Rockstar Comes Out of Shadow into Light

I hate it when the sun is too bright! Everyone thinks photographers love the sun, but many of us don't. Why? It usually means shadows!! When I use to shoot weddings, I always told the wedding couple that a cloudy day is better than a sunny day, since the lighting is more even and nobody squints in the pictures.  That's why we often use flash even during the day, to even out lighting and avoid shadows, especially underneath the eyes and chin.  But when doing street photography, I never use flash on unsuspecting people, so I have to make due with whatever the lighting is for the day. For street photography, the best type of lighting is a nice, even, cloudy day!!

Review: Canon G1X and Color Accent Mode

I had the Canon G1X for a week to review, but I only had 2 real days of shooting. We were getting low angle sun and lots of shadows caused by tall downtown buildings. I waited around until late afternoon to get more even lighting in the shadows, but the lighting was dark and gray and boring. That's when I decided to use Canon's wonderful color accent mode.

Most manufacturers have pre-programmed colors (red, blue, green, orange, yellow, etc.). Canon allows you to capture whatever color you see, with the ability to increase or decrease color sensitivity.  My favorite is grabbing Coca-Cola red with +5 sensitivity, which picks up almost all reds, oranges, yellows and most skin tones, but everything else becomes monochromatic. 

Preview: Canon G1X as Street Camera?

The Canon G1X is an unusual camera. It doesn't really fit into any category. Too big to be a point and shoot, but not versatile enough to be compared to most interchangeable lens system camera. What the G1X has is a huge 1.5" CMOS sensor, outperforming the micro 4/3 system cameras, and just slightly behind APS-C equipped cameras in terms of image quality. The lens is a modest 28-112mm F2.8-5.8, but it's better than most kit lenses on entry level interchangeable lens cameras. The autofocus is a bit better than most point and shoots, but not up to the level of most newer micro 4/3 and DSLR cameras.  The build quality is outstanding. It's a tank! The dials and buttons are super solid, built like an Canon L series lens or a single digit series Canon DSLR body . 

Orange Bike, Orange Hair, Acme Cafe

I was walking along Hastings Street in Vancouver looking to test the 'Partial Color' feature on the Fuji XF1. It's not as well executed as the Canon's, so I had to find a pre-determined colour to match the camera (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple).  I found an orange recumbent bike that matched perfectly. I wanted to get a decent wide image of the cafe as well, so I had to step out onto the street to try and get the shot. Every time there was a break in traffic, I'd step out on to the road and take a few quick snapshots.  I patiently waited for the perfect moment of someone walking in, and eventually a guy with orange hair walked into my frame and headed for the door. I quickly took my shot, and I accidentally captured the curious reaction of the two girls in the cafe starring at the guy as well.  Right place, right time. 

Dream Job= Shift.Urban Cargo Delivery

A few posts back I spoke with Aaron at Whole Foods who was wearing a Charlie Noble Global Delivery hoodie. I thought it was a real company deliverying food on bikes, but it wasn't...although the hoodie was cool. Yesterday I was walking through Gastown and look what was driving past me: Urban Cargo Delivery. What do they do? They deliver Bites on Bikes!!

Josh T and Mode on the Street

My buddy Josh and I thought we'd start a blog together a year ago. After much planning and discussion and debate, we launched a blog called Mode on the Street. As soon as we started the blog, I realized that we both had very strong visions for the blog and that a collaboration wouldn't work as smoothly as our good friendship. 

Another Distracted Bike Rider in Osaka

Like my previous post concerning the stylish bike texting guy, I notice many distracted bike riders in Japan. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents. This guy is riding on a busy 4-lane road, texting, listening to music with headphones, no helmet (very common in Japan) and only a few fingers on the grips; and he still has time to stare at me taking his picture! How dare he!! Ha ha. I got a good expression though...smile!! 

Ride on Osaka!!

Coca-Cola Bicycle in Japan

In Japan, I saw lots of oddly branded bicycles, mostly American brands such as Hummer, or this Coca-Cola bike. Obviously Coke didn't build or design this bike. However, since Japanese love American companies, by putting these types of brands on whatever item, sales increase. I've seen really weird cross-market branding in Japan, but this has got to be the oddest. Are you paying attention Pepsi? Maybe you have to kick it up a notch. Perhaps a Honda 'Diet Pepsi' 1000??

1970's Japanese Robot Great Mazinger Portrait Through Glass Window

I know the most famous Japanese anime/manga robots are Gundam and Robotech, but my all time favorite is Great Mazinger! I always thought it was cool how the airplane shuttle flew into the head of the robot to activate it, and how the V-chest shield becomes a throwing weapon!! As a 70's Japanese kid, we all had a die-cast Great Mazinger toy. The first thing we lose is the eject-able fists of course, and eventually we lose the removable V-chest..... I wonder where my Mazinger is? I wonder what a Mazinger is? Who cares. It was a great robot toy!!

I shot through a shop window from the street, and I successfully hid myself from the image. I like the randomness of the light reflection bouncing back into the image. I wonder if there's a name for that effect? Can you help me with this Naki? Colour isolation to make the V-chest stand out!!

Jinglish Sign at Guitar Shop in Osaka

I guess you can sort of figure out what they're trying to say. The reflection of the street behind me sort of works within the black of the sign, while I was able to hide myself in the red of the guitar.....making so cool image of the camera-main......

Cool Couple Walking in Osaka

Archived photo....

There's nothing odd about seeing a cool couple walking down a small side street in the entertainment district of Umeda in Osaka. In fact, it's a normal sight. However, like my post from yesterday I took this while out for my early morning jog at 6am!!  By the looks of it, they've finished an all nighter (notice the guy holding what looks like a beer can?) and are on their way home. You can't see it in the picture, but they just didn't have a "just woke up" walk as they approached me. It was more like a late night "ready for bed" walk. I stood there for a while and pretended I was shooting buildings above their heads so they wouldn't wonder why I was taking their picture as they came closer......

Early Morning Bike Ride in Osaka

 

 Another archived photo......

I went for an early morning jog near my brother's apartment in the Umeda district of Osaka. I also like taking pictures either late at night or early in the morning. Not many people on the streets except for commercial vehicles. It was an odd sight to see a 'salary man' on a bicycle so early in the morning (6am). My guess is that he isn't on his way to work from home, but leaving a bar he was at all night and going straight to work!! I like the solitude of shooting on the streets so early in the morning, but it was great getting this guy on his bike so early too!! Ride on Salary Man! Ride on Osaka!!