Two Guitar Abstracts

[Rob MacKillop]

Just messing with the Fuji XS-1. Despite claims that it does macro from as close a one centimetre, I just found it impossible to get these in focus from about 12" away.

 

[Pete Askew]

Interesting, especially the first with the contrast between the circular lining and the strings.

Probably camera shake as a result of DTs from not shooting film!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Ah, but I was using a tripod AND a timer. Maybe my eyes need a rest.

 

[Douglas McMann]

I like the second one...going from thick to thin (sub-technical term for low "E" to High "E") and with that great black hole opening up, gives it a sense of almost falling into the abyss...

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Haha, it was in Open D tuning, so D to D Welcome to the abyss

Sorry, Dougie. I'm in a playful mood!

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Ah, but I was using a tripod AND a timer. Maybe my eyes need a rest.

Or maybe reading glasses at that distance. And I agree with Douglas. Does it have to be pin sharp at all times?

 

[Brian Moore]

The slight OOF on the 2nd image suggests that the strings are still vibrating a tiny wee bit. I like that.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

They're still vibrating, or I need new glasses!

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Just an idea Rob. Many camera's and lenses with dedicated macro modes, if you did use a macro setting? when in that setting, only allow the camera/lens to say as it claims for this camera to go as close as one centimetre, focus from one centre meter to say five centre meters and once you are out of that zone such as 6 or twelve inches (mixing units here as old folk do) away the camera is all cnfused and has a strop closes it's eyes and wont look. Just a thought, 12'' may well have not been possible in a macro mode setting.
Also these point and shoot camera's or the ones I've had are a damn nuisance to macro focus with that setting and take a while, best done manual focus.
Back to the photo, good to see a photo post as I've not seen many from you of late, it's giving off good vibes

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Julian. It's over a month old, this post. I've taken a few film shots since, but haven't finished the roll. I take the camera out, but don't see anything, which is ridiculous, considering the Edinburgh Festival is on, and the population seems to have doubled. I need to get away from Edinburgh. I should be in Oxford in November...

I did use the macro option, but I find it hard to use at any distance. I thought there was enough contrast in these images for focus to lock on. Alas.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Thanks, Julian. It's over a month old, this post. I've taken a few film shots since, but haven't finished the roll. I take the camera out, but don't see anything, which is ridiculous, considering the Edinburgh Festival is on, and the population seems to have doubled. I need to get away from Edinburgh. I should be in Oxford in November...

I did use the macro option, but I find it hard to use at any distance. I thought there was enough contrast in these images for focus to lock on. Alas.

I am slow Rob. Yes I was listening to a wireless program about the festival and have friends there in the past. Of course they love it all and am sure many of the residents, yet for some when a population increases so dramatically it can be disruptive to to the calmer everyday life. We have the same or similar, maybe it is exactly the same, just swap the fiddles and red noses and our influx carries red candy floss, wears flip-flops and feeds the seagulls as if they are their cats. I used to try to get away in August, the best places I ever found was the Cevenne which is such a wild area you can think or on one occasion the North west coast of Scotland, which brought up emotions of how Cornwall was when a child, but of course I contradict my own feelings by being a tourist.
Roll on Oxford , only been there once, from memory was it not a full-time tourist destination?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Alas, yes, Oxford also pulls in the tourists, though apparently less so during term time, which it will be. Susan will be there from 1st October until Christmas, so I'm planning on going down for a few days. And Rhona will be in London, so we will all get together at some point.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Alas, yes, Oxford also pulls in the tourists, though apparently less so during term time, which it will be. Susan will be there from 1st October until Christmas, so I'm planning on going down for a few days. And Rhona will be in London, so we will all get together at some point.

Sounds great Rob. Is Rhona at Uni there? I have my youngest working close to London, her year in industry as part of the Degree, her third year before going back for the final year. Liking it a lot and I do intend also to visit. Have not been to London for a long long while.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

She'll be studying the artistic side of design at Goldsmiths. I usually hate London - I find crowds difficult at the best of times. Goldsmiths is in South London, at New Cross Gate, which is apparently not the most salubrious part of the city.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Have a couple friends who went their for fine art before finishing at the Royal college. Having not so long ago, three of my nieces went too London fashion or art schools and did well as well as enjoying it all. They seemed to fit in and find something, cope and deal with it all very well, wherever they went. I am sure Rhona will do very well and there will be such great opportunities arising from being there. All very exiting. I hope you find it all ok. I actually found when my youngest left, it all being quite traumatic for myself. Partly as I was on my own and not having that purpose that was supposedly there, if only in my own head, as of course they are by that age very independent anyway. Having said that wow it is great to see them gaining that confidence, being in a position to find there own way within what is still an environment where they do have access to others who will be looking out for them.

I have sometimes looked back and pitch myself that I flew out too Africa on my own at sixteen for my first real job, with the first contact home after six months, no mobiles phones ect like today. At that age I think it can just all be exiting and you get on with it.
Wish her all the best Rob I am confident she will do very well.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Julian. I'm not looking forward to her leaving, and it is doubly unfortunate that it coincides with Susan going to Oxford for three months. Not sure how I'll cope. I imagine there will be both good times and bad times. My consolation is that Rhona hasn't had my childhood - I ran away from home at 15, already an alcoholic - thanks to my father, who died soon after. Tough times, sleeping rough and getting into trouble. Music saved me. I'm sure she'll do well, and she is very excited about her future. I wonder what that feels like?!

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Thanks, Julian. I'm not looking forward to her leaving, and it is doubly unfortunate that it coincides with Susan going to Oxford for three months. Not sure how I'll cope. I imagine there will be both good times and bad times. My consolation is that Rhona hasn't had my childhood - I ran away from home at 15, already an alcoholic - thanks to my father, who died soon after. Tough times, sleeping rough and getting into trouble. Music saved me. I'm sure she'll do well, and she is very excited about her future. I wonder what that feels like?!

Was unaware of such detail Rob and such difficulties although I do understand full well it is not as simple as surviving something like that and all's ok from then on, often far from it.
You touch on something when you ask what that may well feel like, 'excited about the future'. Sadly ,far to dangerous to feel too good.