Monday, December 20, 2004

A while ago now I purchased a Canon 300D in the US and I’ve just started to play with the manual settings and begun to use RAW files rather than the more traditional JPEGs. What’s great about RAW is that it allows you use TIFF files which don’t suffer from the problem of JPEG compression when edited, the down side is that on the 6.3 mega pixel Canon files are a not insubstantial 7Mb, but the ability to use a 4Gb Microdrive in the CF slot is a helps as I can squeeze roughly RAW 600 pictures onto one card. Not sure I’ve fully got the hang on even a portion of the settings I can manually play with but you do get much better shots especially when the light isn’t optimal. Sadly the auto settings don’t always get it right but at least they do a far better job than my old Sony P1. Here’s a picture I took of Izzy looking rather handsome amongst the autumn ferns in Richmond Park. She's the perfect colour for this time of year. I had to play with the exposure a bit as the light was fading, but I reckon it's come out rather well.

Monday, December 13, 2004

West London especially around SW13/SW14 is a haven for actors and celebs. Not your Z-list famous for 5 minute media fodder but honest to goodness quality thespians. Whilst in the Post Office yesterday I ended up chatting to Julian Glover as we were both waiting for some stamps. For those of you who don’t know you’ll have recently seen him in Troy as Triopas, but he’s was also General Veers in The Empire Strikes back and in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade playing Walter Donovan. So don’t give me footballers and Big Brother rejects come to Barnes and check out proper celebs. Right I’m off for an espresso with Peter Bowles.

Thursday, December 09, 2004

You are Palm OS. Punctual, straightforward and very useful.  Your mother wants you to do more with your life like your cousin Wince, but you're happy with who you are. More silliness. But I haven't used a Palm based device for ages....

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Now I’m back from the US I’m convinced that I’m not designed for International Jet Setting. As I mentioned before, someone please find a cure for jetlag. Oh yes the basketball. It was fantastic. Great atmosphere, close game and the sort of razzmatazz only the Americans seen capable of. The cheerleaders were great too and they even came over to say hello; must have been the accent. The Seattle Supersonics beat the Utah Jazz 127 to 117 in extra time. Go Sonics!!! Saw a couple of films recently. The latest Harry Potter which is excellent and King Arthur which isn’t. The question is how did they get it so wrong? The cast was pretty accomplished, the director was responsible for the first-rate Training Day and the Arthurian legend is the cinematic equivalent of an open goal. However a leaden script and wooden dialogue means that even Ms Knightley’s leather costume can’t save it. Bit early for turkey but hey ho!