Elemental View: May 2015

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #772: what climate change? where's the climate change? lazy asses.

It's a drizzly day and the parking lot is empty and the drive through at the Tim's on Gordon and Kortright is lined up with cars snaking all the way to the street. The exit from the mall plaza is blocked by these cars. This scene is repeated every day, rain or no rain. May 31st.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #771: who's your daddy?

"Canons to the left of me, Canons to the right of me... into the valley of death..." (with apologies to Lord Alfred Tennyson). The Sony a99 in the middle is still a rarity in the pro world.

At a wedding shoot at The Event Warehouse, Downsview, ON. These are the Stills shooters. The video guys were shooting Canons too. May 30th.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #770: Crystals

observed while shooting an evening Event at the Gardiner Museum, Toronto. May 29th.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

An Article for all Seasons from The Guardian

on reexamining what we routinely do:

When we stop and really think about our daily routine and habits of consumption, we get to realize that some of it is shit, or some degree of shit. Coors Light, Bud, Tim's doughnuts and tim's original coffee (not the Dark Roast…. i like that one), all shit. Good old milk and "fresh Florida" orange juice? all shit, meaning bad for you. Hot dog? Epitome of shit. Voting Liberal? shit but not as bad shit as voting Conservative.

We buy the next iPhone, because that's what we've always done… we buy Nikon/Canon, because that's what we have always done... we're just like sheep on the way to the slaughterhouse, as far as politicians and marketeers are concerned.

Lots more shit in our lives on closer examination. Yet we keep on doing shit because it's what we do: Do Shit.

"Tea is a national disgrace", by Josh Golby

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #769: Life is a series of breaking-aways.

May 26th.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Sony Diaries #768: Legacy lenses: oldies but still goodies!

One of the attractions for going mirrorless is the opportunity to use almost any legacy lenses: lenses made for film bodies, of various mounts. It is now possible to use any one of the millions of lenses made over the last century, using an adapter that costs as low as $15 and as high as $500+ (the Metabones and Speedboosters). It is an amazing adventure trying out Nikkon Nikkors, Minolta Rokkors, Konica Hexanons, Pentax Takumars, and Olympus Zuikos.

Below are two samples taken with 2 different lenses using a $20 Fotosy adapter, on a Sony A7II. The beauty of using the a7II lies in 3 features: the magnificent Live-View display, focus peaking, and In-Body Stabilization (works with any lens, regardless of make and vintage).

Konica 57f1.4, 1/80@f1.4, ISO400. AWB, handheld

($50-$100, Kijiji, eBay, Craigslist)

Vivitar (Konica mount) 28f2.5, 1/100s@f2.5, ISO 2500. AWB, handheld. ($20-$50, Kijiji, eBay, Craigslist)

May 24th.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Sony Diaries #767: Uber

May 19th.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #766: "watching the pup"

May 18th.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Sony Dairies (xPeria Z3) #765: the POUT

May 18th.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Sony Diaries #764: Councilor Cesar Palacio @ FIDEL GASTRO's

Councilor Cesar Palacio, serving the public from Fidel Gastro's Food Truck on Food Truck Freedom Day, Nathan Phillips Square. May 13th.

Sony Diaries #763: Mayor John Tory

Toronto Mayor John Tory, serving the public from Caplansky's Food Truck on Food Truck Freedom Day, Nathan Phillips Square. May 13th.

Sony Diaries #762: Food Truck at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto

a quickie video from Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto.

Mayor John Tory and councillors to celebrate Food Truck Freedom Day

The City of Toronto will celebrate Food Truck Freedom Day with an event at Nathan Phillips Square on Wednesday. Mayor Tory and councillors will get behind the counter to take orders and serve some of Toronto’s finest food on wheels. The event comes on the heels of new street food vending bylaw changes that allow for more choice and convenience.

Date: Wednesday, May 13

Time: Food truck service, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Mayor and councillors serving food, 12:30 p.m.; Mayor's remarks, 12:45 p.m.

Location: Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.

Mayor Tory will be joined by Councillor Cesar Palacio (Ward 17 Davenport), Chair of Licensing and Standards Committee, Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (Ward 32 Beaches-East York), Councillor Josh Colle (Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence), Councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 22 St. Paul's) and Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Ward 38 Scarborough Centre).

Food trucks and carts participating in the event includeCaplansky's, Curbalicious, Fidel Gastro's, Marianne's Food Cart, ME.NU, Rome'n Chariotand Randy's Roti.

More information on the City's new street food regulations is available at http://www.toronto.ca/streetfoodvending.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Barbara Turnbull, 1965-2015

"In 2013 Turnbull authored an e-book, What I Know: Lessons from My 30 years of Quadriplegia, published by the Star.

In its introduction, she wrote: “I can’t pinpoint the day — or even the year — when I accepted life as a quadriplegic. It likely happened incrementally over time. I only know that I have always lived as full a life as I can, tolerating what I have no choice about, fighting what I don’t have to accept, finding joy in many places and having no problem being grateful for gifts small and large.”

And near the end, she wrote, “It is possible to build a life that is satisfying and has happy moments, despite what comes at you. The majority of us who face adversity — not just paralysis — discover this.”

Star reporter Barbara Turnbull overcame debilitating injury to carve out a superlative career.