ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Course 2 Day – Day Four: Natural World

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Day Four: “Natural World” — Leading Lines

Today I was tasked with capturing the natural world: snap a moment outside, big or small. From a close-up of a leaf in your backyard to a panorama from your morning hike, we invite you to document this wondrous world around us.

Now at first glance (thought) this seems a very easy project to go out and do, especially when you are living in Spain with its generally rolling sunshine, and people with a sunny disposition.

The problem is the heat – a lot of what you might target for photographs, when considered closely do not give you that oomph that would be expected.

However I persevered and came up with these  shots:

 

Natural World

However after consideration when I got back from my safari, I decided that the following photograph reflected the qualities of the assignment – showing natural lines that lead you to different parts of the frame.  The photograph was taken on a Samsung mobile phone with 8 megapixels camera, which rendered a photograph with just over 3Mb, which I have now resized to 2Mb – hopefully without loss of clarity to the brief.  No flash was used, just the shadow and natural sunlight, which I feel makes for a wonderful atmospheric photograph

Natural World - Trunk in Shade

Trunk in Shade

‪#‎developingyoureye‬ ‪#‎trunkinshade‬ ‪#‎naturalworld‬

 

 

Using your smartphone as a camera

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Using your smartphone as a camera

I am currently taking my second ‘small’ 10 day course in photography with a different aim each day to make you look at the world differently through the eye of a camera. But in today’s world a camera, can be that super dooper SLR. The small compact hidden away in your pocket or more likely the ambiguous smartphone like the current favourite the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge with its 12-megapixel, f/1.7 shooter – deemed to be the best dynamic range ever on a smartphone camera (Tech Insider).

The reality is that in most cases, you can achieve excellent photographs without resorting to really expensive equipment that professional photographers have – remember that is their livelihood!

I am going to develop my theme by using a smartphone with its camera. I do not have a really expensive phone, it is now about 3 years old, it is a Galaxy S4 mini which has an 8 MP camera.

The Way Forward

Whilst most of us will not be endowed with the high end smartphone camera, and in consequence we will have to be aware of their limitations, however to get around this we need to go back to basics:

  • Composition – think about light, the colours, the lines and where you have placed your subject.

    Smartphone Camera pic from Oliva

    Derby -Surrounded by kids

  • Join up – most of us take photos to share with others. Join with a photo-sharing group e.g. Instagram or Flickr – connect with friends and other picture takers – get and learn from their feedback, and develop enthusiasm for the camera.
  • Check out your camera app, and it’s basic features
    • Gridlines to your frame – helps you centre your subjects and gets horizon lines level
    • Enable or disable flash
    • Set a time
    • Adjust exposure level easily
    • Lock your focal point and exposure level
    • Shoot video
  • Know your camera – don’t just read the manual (which by the way you should do!), but practise using the various options on your camera
  • Smartphone composition pic from Newcastle

    My beautiful picture

    Develop a great compositional style – check out other photographer, look at the great ones, what doe they have in common ‘A great compositional style’.

  • Develop your ability to shape light
  • Develop your ability to see lines within a composition – is there a better line, just feet away?
  • Don’t crowed all the time – look for space within a compositional

 

  • Frame it! Frame it! Frame it! – Frames can help the viewer to focus on your subjects
  • Not everything is black and white! Remember changing your viewing position can change the colour of the picture – try it out and be selective with your shots Camera phone - ducks in a row
  • Look for reflections and shadows
  • Be aware of the shutter speed, what it does and how your camera may adjust a picture according to its conception of what is good –
  • Check your autofocus – sometimes you will need to override it to achieve that shot you know is brilliant

Some ideas for projects:

  • Take photographs of yourself, your friends or our family
  • Try macro photography – remember that manual I told you to read!
  • Get a group of like minded friends and do a photowalk through your town or city – do this once a week
  • A-Z – working your way through the alphabet, choose a place and try to find three or four subjects that match the letter of the alphabet.
  • Choose something, a word, a theme, a feeling etc. and try to get a collection of photographs to match that theme.
  • Go B&W instead of colour – what difference does that make to your pictures?

References:

Course 2 – Day 2 – Mystery – Manipulate Light

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During this second day of the photography course, I have been tasked to take a photograph that creates a sense of mystery – a spectre in your memory.  Having trawled through my photographs I came across a number which might have fitted the theme:

 

 

However whilst I felt they met the brief, I still thought they left something out – a sense of mystery, and because of this I have chosen the following image:

Times of Mystery and Suspense

The ghosts are waiting

 

‪#‎developingyoureye‬  #mystery #lonesome

 

 

 

 

Course 2 – Day One: “Warmth” — The Quality of Light

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Course 2 – Day One: “Warmth” — The Quality of Light
Considering the direction and quality of light – The Lady in Shimmering Green lit from side and back

Day 1 - Warmth - The Quality of Light

The Lady in Shimmering Green

I took this photograph during the first night of the Moors and Christians Festival in Oliva, Valencia, Spain.  The extravaganza of the show with the wealth of colours and people made it a spectacle not to be missed.  Even after two and a half hours sitting (with the occasional stretch to waken my back and buttocks) I was still enthralled by the pageant.   Even though I had planned ahead, I was unsure of what I might see, and also what equipment I might need.  I took my trusty Fuji Finepix, with two extra sets of batteries, my iPad full charges, a small Vivitar 5Megapixel,  with two sets of batteries and two smartphones fully charged.

In the end I stuck with my Fuji, but what I did learn was that I needed to plan ahead for lighting especially when the jousting on horseback took place – unfortunately I was in the wrong place and didn’t have enough light or lens.

 

 

‪#‎developingyoureye‬ ‪#‎shimmering‬ ‪#‎green‬ ‪#‎lady‬

Texas Twins: The Story of Morgan and Nash

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EVERYTHING BETTER (if not, necessarily BIGGER) IN TEXAS (?)

Texas Twins: The Story of Morgan and NashTexas Twins: The Story Of Morgan & Nash
Howard Roffman
Bruno Gmünder
ISBN 9 763861 878582

The ‘story’ element in this publication is not very prominent, the “text” takes up less than one of the – square – pages. Morgan and Nash, who seem not to have a surname, were born in Louisiana, brought up in Texas and Hawaii, and moved to San Francisco. In SF a former clergyman gave them shelter and put them in touch with, among others, Howard Roffman, the photographer.
This charming book is a result of their convergence. Morgan, the Gay one is “grounded and eager to please” (and any red-blooded bull-root would be exquisitely happy to have him ‘please’ them… or them attempt to please him). Nash is “straight” (drat! drat!! & triple drat…!!!), he is also “impetuous and a rebel”.
They are very identical identical twins, though Nash (I think) has dimples, and wears a baby chin-beard in some shots. The twins, I’m glad to report, don’t wear much else in most pics., of two very handsome, well built (‘swimmer’s bodies’, rather than muscle-bound) blokes, the nude shots are sweet and rather innocent. You won’t tug your langer off viewing them (let’s not be too precious this is genuinely artistic, but it is classy porn – which can be artistic) but you would have a very slow pulse not to feel the odd stirring…
Having said, or rather, written, that, the boys (they are late teens / early twenties) have large – but not gross membra virile – and genuinely beautiful butts. They, said glutei, are not fantastically muscular but smooth and probably pleasant to run one’s fingers over. (I must have a cup of tea, or possibly something stronger, at this point…). You will enjoy this book, it shows two very attractive people at play at the beach, in deep snow, and – apparently – at work, or at least working on sledges.
On a purely personal note, I wouldn’t mind a book of Black, Brown and Beige (it’s the name of a orchestral suite by Duke Ellington, if you are racially sensitive), twins. Or ‘Oriental’ persons or persons from the South Asian Subcontinent (including Iran). Yes, this has gone too far. My Id is attempting to escape my skull.
Seán McGouran
Links:

GOODBYE LENIN!

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Good Bye LeninGOODBYE LENIN! – 2003
Bavaria Film International
Director: Wolfgang Becker
good bye Lenin good-bye-lenin-!
This genuinely charming movie stars the handsome, and talented, Daniel Brühl, as Alex. Daniel BrühlHe’s the son of Christiane (Katrin Sass – who doesn’t really look old enough to be his Mam), though it is implied that she was taken advantage of by the absent father who fled ‘West’.  Alex daydreams occasionally about the Da, usually imagining him very rich and driving a huge Merc. Said Father turns up in the course of the action, and while well-off[ish], isn’t super-rich. I don’t know which side of the Wall the makers come from, but this is a quite sharp point, the Eastern media tell the populace that the West is US-occupied, poor and backward: meanwhile everybody really thinks that ‘Wessies’ have money goodbye-lenin-1squirting out their ears.
The comedy consists in the fact that some days before The [Berlin] Wall comes down Christiane has a heart attack, and is hospitalised. She sees her son taking part in a protest march, mainly about the fact that the Wall is still standing,  he is struck by an ‘Ossie’ cop. Her response has partly to do with the fact that, as a True Believer, she thought that such brutality only happened in the oppressed West.
While she is in hospital, seen as ‘state-of-the-art’ modern, there’s no ‘Ostalgia’ but no denegation of the ‘system’ either – the Wall is broken down.  Alex and his techie-nerd friend Denis (Florian Lukas) conspire, when his mother

Florian Lukas

GOOD BYE LENIN!, Florian Lukas, Daniel Bruhl, 2003, (c) Sony Pictures Classics


is released from hospital, with the warn-ing that a shock, or even mild surprise, could kill her, to pretend that the ‘East’ (GDR – German Democratic Republic) still exists. It gets harder and harder by the hour, even foodstuffs are dumped, and Alex has to hoke about in garbage to find the bottles and labels from the old days. Fortunately for him the ‘old days’ were not so long ago though his mother was in hospital for months after the Wall came down.
Fortunately the taste of the food is unchanged (possibly another indication that not everything ‘Ossie’ was questionable.)  This is acceptable now, but fifteen years ago when this movie was made it was seriously ‘pushing the envelope’ to even hint at such a matter. Alex gets away with a lot, his friend Denis making videos of fake television news items and delivering them in a dreadful plasticky suit presumably of the sort worn by ‘Eastern’ media persons, which they play to his mother. She, inevitably, learns how to use the channel changer and, becomes very confused by what she sees.
They ‘lose’ the implement.
As she gets less fragile, she decides to have a wander outside, and is very confused by what she sees. There are ‘Western’ cars, clothes, and people: one piece of furniture, about to be moved into their block of flats, has an image of the Sacred Heart sitting on a shelf. She asks a young man moving this furniture where he comes from, and he answers “Wurtemburg”, which borders the Rhine. She is totally confused at this, but is returned to the hospital. Alex decides that the news film she views must be doctored. He and Denis show her the breaking down of the Wall – but imply it was Wessies escaping into East Germany that was happening. This stretched one viewers credibility somewhat; it is doubtful if there was much in the way of graffiti on the eastern side of the Wall. But the Western side was heavily graffiti’d. She swallows the notion that the crowds running away from the Wall westwards were actually fleeing eastwards. And the people from, for instance, Wurtemburg are refugees from the benighted West.
She dies shortly after this, Daniel Brühl manages to look simultaneously businesslike and ‘little-boy-lost’-like (like most adults, in a similar situation I assume; you wouldn’t mind a “wee greet”. But matters have to be taken in hand…).
This is a lovely, funny, humane film, see it, you’ll have a lot of laughs, a wee sniffle (or two). For Gay men there is also the prospect of seeing Daniel Brühl in his longish black gunks, (underpants, for the uncultured) he has smooth pale skin and slender, but athletic body. Don’t cheat and flick through the DVD just to see it. Anyway, it’s worth the wait.
Joe Dalton
 
Links:

Boys On Film 2: In Too Deep

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BOYS ON FILM 2
In Too Deep
Peccadillo Pictures
2007
5 060018 651637
peccapics.com
Boys On film 2: In Too Deep

**Boys On Film 2: In Too Deep: A Collection of Encountering Desire and Identity**

The title of this collection, *In Too Deep*, offers a cheeky nod to one of the contributions, “Kali Ma,” set near a swimming pool, hinting at the tangled web of sexual and emotional connections explored across the nine films compiled here. This eclectic mix features two entries from the USA, both set in the vibrant backdrop of New York City, alongside two from Australia’s sunny Sydney. Adding a splash of international flair, we have one film each from Sweden, Canada, France, and Mexico—where “Bramadero” unfolds, a visually striking piece that embraces the surreal, featuring two striking men meeting in a seemingly abandoned building. The film dances on the line between social realism and magic realism, artfully capturing their intimate encounter in a mesmerizing, desolate setting.

Among the shorter contributions, *The Island* from Canada presents Trevor Anderson trudging through the snowy expanse of northern Alberta. The film cleverly critiques a macho talk show suggestion that all “homos” should be isolated on an imaginary island to prevent the spread of HIV. As Trevor walks through the winter landscape, his daydream visions of a “homo utopia” burst forth in vibrant animation, humorously juxtaposing the harsh realities with fantastical notions of sunshine, sex, and sangria, excluding the chaos of storms or calamities. This delightful short is a warm breath of fresh air.

*Love Bite* dives into the lives of two teenage boys sharing a spliff and, ultimately, a secret. One boy, who believes the other is disgusted at the thought of him being queer, is actually hiding his own monstrous secret—he’s a werewolf. This lighthearted narrative takes a dark turn with a gory climax that leaves a lasting impression.

Then there’s *Working It Out*, a comedic examination of jealousy within a couple at the gym, where charm takes a backseat to style, and one partner’s insecurities are on full display. Despite the performers’ less than engaging presence and the gym’s unremarkable setting, the story captures a slice of modern relationship dynamics, though it may not resonate with everyone.

Futures & Derivatives offers a baffling narrative revolving around a businessman trying to impress his superiors with a presentation. However, the true focus shifts to a quirky outsider who, while working through the night, infuses the dull office environment with creativity—a charming mix of corporate seriousness and whimsical style.

Meanwhile, *Lucky Blue* transports us to Sweden, where the pet budgerigar of a traveling family becomes a sweet backdrop to young Lasse’s crush on Kevin, the tall, blonde boy he yearns for. The film wraps up with Lasse’s endearing love song to Kevin, leaving viewers with a sense of hopeful innocence.

*Cowboy*, hailing from Germany, introduces us to Oliver Scherz’s character—an estate agent surveying a rundown farm where he encounters a captivating, enigmatic wild boy played by Pit Bokowski. Their passionate, explicit connection amidst the decay of the farm hints at deeper themes of desire and escape.

*Weekend in the Countryside* presents an intriguing dynamic between two young men, Théo Frilet and Pierre Moure, and a slightly older man overseeing their stay at a rural estate. With fears and tensions simmering, the narrative captures complex emotions against the backdrop of the countryside, leading to an ambiguous conclusion that invites contemplation.

Finally, “Kali Ma” is a layered narrative set against the backdrop of New York City. It centers around a mother-son duo grappling with bullying and cultural identity. As *Ma*, portrayed by Kamini Khanna, confronts the tormentor of her son, the film evolves into a fierce exploration of maternal instincts and vengeance, culminating in a humorous yet poignant moment of rebirth and camaraderie between the boys.

Each film in *In Too Deep* explores the intersections of identity, desire, and intimacy, crafting narratives that resonate with the complexities of modern life. This collection invites viewers to reflect on their experiences and emotions while providing a richly diverse lens on love and the human condition. A captivating assembly, these films offer a fresh perspective, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary storytelling across the globe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

 
Segments and Cast:
  • “Cowboy” (Till Kleinert):
    • Oliver Scherz as Christian
    • Pit Bukowski as Cowboy
  • “Lucky Blue” (Håkon Liu):
    • Tobias Bengtsson as Olle
    • Tom Lofterud as Kevin
  • “Weekend In The Countryside”:
    • Théo Frilet as Pierre
    • Pierre Moure as Marc
    • Jean-Claude Dumas as Father
  • “Kali Ma”:
    • Kamini Khanna as Kali Ma
    • Brendan Bradley as Peter King
    • Manish Dayal as Santosh
  • “Bramadero”:
    • Cristhian Rodríguez as Hassen
    • Sergio Almazán as Jonás
  • “Love Bite”:
    • Will Field as Noah
    • Aidan Calabria as Gus
  • “The Island”:
    • Trevor Anderson as Himself
  • “Futures (and Derivatives)”:
    • Kelly Miller as Roger
    • Cam Kornman as Adele Lenz
    • Bill Barnett as Marty Simko
    • Bigi Ebbin as Roger’s Secretary
    • Vin Knight as Gordon Heath
    • Mark Hervey as Elliott
  • “Working It Out”:
    • Simon Kearney as Marcus
    • Paul Ross as Peter
    • Glaston Toft as Jeremy 
       

Bianchi: Outpost by Tom Bianchi

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ISBN is:  9780312142834 / 0312142838
Bianchi: Outpost
by Tom Bianchi
Publisher:St. Martin’s Press, 1996
Edition:Hardcover
Language:English
Bianchi OutpostThis (very short) small-format book by Tom Bianchi,  seems to be a spin-off from a larger project, based on using a Hollywood swimming pool as a back-drop. This was for images of two (or pairs of) handsome, largely naked, men. They are smooth, ‘built’, but not overly muscled men, mostly Aryans. Nothing wrong with that: but the setting is southern California, specifically Los Angeles / Hollywood; probably the greatest concentration of glowingly beautiful males of every ‘race’ on the planet

Said males in the pics don’t do anything particularly ‘interesting’ – just the sort of thing anyone does near a large swimming pool, not excluding swimming. There is one lovely image of two quite mature, naked, men kissing, in a kindly, not passionate, and not slaveringly sexy sort of way. Not that ‘passion’ and / or ‘slaveringly sexy’ would have been in any way unpleasing.

Other images are of, mostly couples, in intimate poses; lips hover very close to crotches, and it isn’t hard to guess what will happen shortly after the various images have been shot. It’s interesting to speculate what the photographer, Tom Bianchi,  would be doing, would he remain a disinterested spectator?
Or…?

For me, the most sexually… stimulating… image is the last one; a fine set of legs, a sculpted butt, and – interestingly – the upper body swathed in a loose shirt. The chap’s head is missing, well… it is cropped out of the image, but with an elegant arse like the one on show, it isn’t really a loss. Though it is, no, doubt, very attractive.

Richard Lyttle 
Currently this book does seem to be available on Amazon.co.uk, however with a little research and by using Bookfinder.com, I have found 27 stockists at various prices.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT? – LGSO

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Hiding in Plain Sight - LGSO - London Gay Symphony Orchestra
Hiding in Plain Sight – Queer people in NornIrl are used to (locally) powerful elements, namely the now-largest political party, the DUP DUP(Democratic Unionist Party) and the Free Presbyterian Church, both constructed by the late Dr. Ian Paisley, being resolutely opposed to, in essence, any rights for LGBTs.  The situation in other places, particularly other parts of the ‘Anglosphere’ can can appear wreathed in a pinko-lavender glow.  We are cosily slotting into British, especially London society, it seems.
How odd, then, was it to read and hear of the puzzlement on the foot of the BBC Proms recent ‘outreach’ to amateur LGSOorchestras.  (Most such bands are not ‘amateur’ in the strict sense of the word, being made up partly of professional musicians who teach or are ‘session’ musicians in recording studios,or are simply retired or bringing up families).
The puzzlement was caused by the LGSO (London Gay Symphony Orchestra), even liberal[ish] blatts were, on the face if things, taken aback.  The blatts seemed not to have been aware of the LGSO’s existence, including the journos who should HAVE KNOWN – LIKE THE ONES WHO DIDN’T TURN OUT WHEN IT was working with the USA choirs.  Even the local blatts, and the (two) in Islington are professional and consceintiously ‘local’ – and have Lefty histories, they were started by Communist Party people who left after Prague in 1968.  A substantial number of them didn’t want to simply dissolve into their surroundings.  That was by an organisation founded on May 1996, that has 150+  members, and gives a minimum of four concerts per annum, usually given in the C of E church Saint Sepulcre, Holborn Viaduct- the up-coming autumn one is billed for  St. S’s.usually in a church on the border of Islington and the City of London.  It first rehearsed and gave concerts in the Drill Hall a Gay-oriented arts centre, since closed down due to ‘austerity’.
With a bit o’luck the LGSO (there’s a similar band in Birmingham) will get ‘picked on’ by the Beeb and show their stuff.  They really ought to make records, some major bands in London, and similar large cities sell recordings of the concerts audiences have just sat through.  The LGSO filled the Royal Festival Hallsome years ago accompanying LGBT choirs from Europe and the USA.  Thus it isn’t unused to critical audiences – though the critics in the ‘straight’ press ignored the event, even though it was given on behalf of two charities.
Further links:

Hiding in Plain Sight - LGSO