Retirement Present

[Rob MacKillop]

Hi Again Folks...

I retired from teaching yesterday, and now look forward to a life of penury - it's good for the soul, allegedly - but was very surprised when a fairly large box arrived today from Red Dot Cameras. I certainly hadn't ordered anything, so was surprised when I opened the box and saw a brand-new Leica Q3 with accessories such as a leather case. There was a computer-printed note in French, thanking me for my teaching, and offering me this present - but it was unsigned. It took me a while and two or three emails before finding out who did it: a very nice student in Colorado. Many thanks went his way.

Having had the Q2 I knew what to expect, but the menu system is quite different. We live mostly in subdued lighting, so I tested the camera's low-light capability, and generally had a bit of fun messing with the files in Exposure 7. No great artistic worth, but it got me thinking about photography again, which I hadn't done for several months. We are also selling our house, moving back to near-central Edinburgh after 4 years on the coast. I'm looking forward to that, and to getting back to photography.

Meanwhile, some daft efforts from this evening...

1. White jug with grasses



2. 10-string guitar - fried in Polopan:



3. Ditto fried in Kodalith:


4. Ditto fried again in Polopan


Hmm...I just realised I made them all b&w...

 

[Ralph Turner]

Enjoy your new-found freedom, Rob, I hope it's long, healthy and fruitful photographically. Off to a flying start with that amazing gift from a former student! All the best.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Ralph, and Gianluca. It's good to be back and enthused.

 

[Gianluca Drago]

It's good to be back and enthused.

I really like your photos of the 10-strings guitar, particularly the last one with its stretched perspective.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Gianluca. It is fun to play too!

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Now that's appreciation! Nobody sent me a Leica when I retired...

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Aww...I thought everybody got one!

 

[Stevenson Gawen]

You're a lucky chappy! And deserving I'm sure. Nice shots too. Great to have you on board again - as a relative newcomer here I've spent a surprising amount of time going through the archives and love a load of your past work.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks again, Stevenson. I appreciate your comments. Yes, I have been burned out for a while, and have been of creative things. But a wind of change has come my way, thanks to the gift of a great camera. I look forward to viewing your work.

 

[Brian Moore]

That looks like your new guitar/lute, which I am delighted to encourage all RPFrs to listen to your beautiful playing of it on YouTube.

I love the grasses/jug shot.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Glad you like it, Brian. I love that guitar.

 

[Chris Bennett]

Gosh, what a lucky lad you are! I am sure you earned it Rob.
A truly thoughtful and generous gift.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Hi Chris. Long time no see, and I’ve been looking behind every phone box I see!

 

[Chris Bennett]

Hi Rob, I hope all is well with you.
Yes, I can still be found lurking around that phone box on occasion!

 

[Julian Tanase]

Rob, I hope retirement brings you the chance to do whatever it is that you always wanted to do but didn’t get to. Enjoyed your guitar play, really good. All the best !

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Many thanks, Julian. Much appreciated. I hope so too!

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

First of all, I hope you'll have a splendid time as a pensioner Rob and all that's coming your way of goodies are pretty much deserved I'd say. When I retired many moons ago, I thought that I'd have much time at my disposal. Never been as busy as when that new era started. Wish you all the best and maybe I'll stumble in your pathway someday.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Ivar. I look forward to sharing a camomile tea with you someday.