Canon 60D – Quick Test Run, #1

Posted on Thursday, 13 September, 2012 by BobR

11-Sep-2012

This is one of the first shots taken with my new camera, a Canon EOS 60D, that I bought last weekend in Brussels. It’s of the inside of a wooden covered bridge over the Sava River leading to the village of Sava, just to the northeast of Litija. Gazing at the shadow play here, I was immediately compelled to shoot in-camera monochrome.

This will be a considerable upgrade from the Rebel xTi I’ve been using for the past five years. There are plenty of other sources out there where you can read about the specifics and pros and cons (review 1, 2, and 3) but suffice it to say that it just felt right. In my hands I mean, not only in my heart (and wallet).

It’s bigger and a bit heavier, but not nearly as bulky as the 7D I nearly let the shopkeeper talk me into buying. Size and weight was a big issue here for me, considering I’ll be carrying it with me virtually non-stop for the next 18 months. (The price difference – along with significantly more expensive memory cards – was obviously an issue as well.)

There’s plenty to play with that has me intrigued and will keep me busy as I get to know it over the next four months – the HD video in general, and the 12,800 ISO in particular.

I went with the kit that included an 18-135/3.5-5.6 zoom which I already know will be the workhorse lens. It’s impossible to count how many times that extra 55-70 focal length, between my two current lenses, would have come in extremely handy.

By the way, does anyone know: Are new cameras anything like New Year’s Day? We’ve all heard that what we do, what we eat and how much we sleep on the first day of the year sets the tone for the rest of the year. Does this bridge in mono mean I’ll be spending more time watching the world in black and white?

And aside No. 2: Tuesday’s bike ride from Ljubljana to just beyond the bridge and back totaled 112.34 km, another personal record. I rock.

A Canon 60D Review – My Quest For An Upgrade

Megaconcert Tribute to REM in Ljubljana

Posted on Sunday, 9 September, 2012 by BobR

Vlado Kreslin

Here are a few dozen shots from last night’s excellent mega concert in Ljubljana’s central Kongresni Trg, or Congress Square, that was part REM tribute, part environmental awareness shindig. At top is Vlado Kreslin, one of Slovenia’s most popular and respected singer/songwriters, belting out Texarkana.

Projekt REM: Energija Ciste Glasbe (Pure Energy Music), organized and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, brought together more than a dozen artists and bands for a five-plus hour show – each act played three or four songs, one of which was a unique take on a favorite REM tune. Below is Lollobrigida, a Zagreb-based techno/pop band whose entertaining and energetic performance reminded me of the B-52s. If you guessed that she’s singing Shiny Happy People, you’d be right. The song fit them, too. They were a blast.

Lollobrigida

Forgive me for finding myself instantly cloaked in a shroud of cynicism anytime any official organ of the U.S. government puts its name, front and center, on any green initiative. (Talking the talk for the world’s second largest polluter is one thing, walking the walk is another. But let’s leave that for another time.)

Which was why I appreciated the remarks made by U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli who, while sharing a story of his experience at the first Earth Day back in 1970, told the crowd how divided the U.S. remains on issues of environmental protection. He seemed to be genuinely embarrassed when making that statement of fact. That kind of polarization, he said, isn’t the case in Slovenia.

Elvis Jackson

But that’s not really why a massive crowd filled the square by the time darkness descended on a near perfect late summer evening. They came for the music, and the performers largely delivered. A few personal highlights: I saw Elvis Jackson (lead singer David Kovšca above) for the first time; they were certainly inspired during their lively ska/hard core interpretation of Losing My Religion. Another was Kreslin, who joined the Croatian Surf Punk band The Bambi Molesters.

Twenty-two photos in all, below.

Elvis Jackson

Vlado Kreslin

Toronto Drug Bust

Lollobrigida

The Tide

Lollobrigida

Bambi Molesters

Boštjan Narat

Joseph Mussomeli, U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia, with his family

The Tide

My Buddy Moose

Bambi Molesters

Elvis Jackson

Lollobrigida

Boštjan Narat

Vlado Kreslin

Toronto Drug Bust

Pregnant Violinist of the Week

Posted on Friday, 13 July, 2012 by BobR

It was no contest really –Jelena Ždrale is by far the finest string-plucking mother-to-be I’ve encountered this week.

Last night she was jamming along with co-conspirators in Krizantema na Klavirju, or Chrysanthemum on a Piano, a theatre/poetry/music performance project that shook the cobblestone on Gornji Trg in Ljubljana. Fun stuff. One of the highlights? As singer Janja Majzelj was wrapping up a song that evolved into a People are Strange mash-up (of sorts), two men dressed as knights strolled by. They wound up on stage, of course.

The performance was part of Promenade Gornji trg, a summer-long series of events held in this Ljubljana old town neighborhood to highlight the area’s small shops, galleries and restaurants. Definitely worth a visit if you’re popping through the Slovenian capital this summer.

A few more shots:

Janja Majzelj

Henry David Thoreau would have been 195 today.

Posted on Thursday, 12 July, 2012 by BobR

Some are taken from us much too soon.

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

If you were wondering where the Northampton Transport Peace Bus Wound up..

Posted on Thursday, 21 June, 2012 by BobR

.. you can sleep more peacefully now because I found it Wednesday at the edge of a grocery store parking lot In Polhov Gradec, a small town about 20 kilometers west of Ljubljana.

Yes, you really do find the darnedest things on countryside bike rides around here.

“It’s been here through the winter plus a few months before that,” one woman told me, confirming that the owner was indeed a local. “I’ve gotten used to it. I like the colors.”

I agreed. “Yes, they’re very peaceful.”

Now I needed to find out how this early 1960s double decker bus wound up in Polhov Gradec, a town best known as the home to ruins of a 14th century castle.

A google search for Orange double decker Peace bus led to this story published in March 2010, suggesting that owner is, or at least was in 2010, an adherent of the teachings and meditation practices of Prem Rawat. My balloon of interest suddenly deflated.

But it is nicely refabed – roomy on the first floor –which I was able to see– and laid out as a video projection room on the top floor –which I didn’t see.

If you’re interested there is plenty more on its 2009 inaugural tour around the Slovenian countryside in the story which also confirms that the bus is apparently a 1959 model.

I wonder if it’s available for rent.

I’ve included this as an entry for Travel Photo Thursday (#TPThursday on twitter) hosted by Nancie on her website, Budget Travelers Sandbox. The direct link is here – check it out.

And Hey! Join me on Twitter.

Austerity and Parklands – Ljubljana Moors, III

Posted on Wednesday, 20 June, 2012 by BobR

These were taken during a quick early evening bike ride around part of Ljubljana‘s Moors, or Barje Regional Park. I really liked the way the light hit the scene above.

Yesterday the news daily Delo published a breakdown of budgets –and budget cuts– for Slovenia’s nine national and regional parks: in 2011 the budget was €4.55 million, this year just over €3.86 million. Specifically for the Ljubljana Moors/Marsh Regional Park, the 2012 budget is €176,905, down 18 percent from last year’s €215,045. Currently a staff of three is looking after the 140+ square kilometer park, the southernmost wetland in Europe. Adding salt to the wound is a shortfall of just €33,796 that the government has to come up with to secure some EU funding for several projects.

Today I saw a little brown fox, a shy, clumsy fawn, and at least two dozen different birds. And not one of the three rangers.

The park website is here, previous posts are here and here, and several more pics are in a flickr set here.

Facing south towards Mt. Krim

A second or two before he fell on his butt.

It scared the shit out of me.

Hey! Join me on Twitter.

Rooftops…

Posted on Friday, 15 June, 2012 by BobR

.. is the theme for this week’s #FriFotos on Twitter. How about a shot taken from a rooftop?

This was the first time I tried a pan-zoom technique I saw somewhere on a site I forgot to bookmark. Or is it zoom-pan? Kind of nifty either way, no?

To get the zoom ‘movement’ to work, you obviously have to use a slow shutter speed. This is at 1/13 and was quite difficult to pull off hand-held. The photographer whose work I saw suggested using a monopod. Very wise suggestion.

Anyone every tried this?

And Hey! Please join me on Twitter.

Seven Snaps Between Storms in Ljubljana’s Old Town

Posted on Thursday, 14 June, 2012 by BobR

As I mentioned earlier, the weather’s been pretty wet the past several days. On Thursday that meant an afternoon of sensationally vivid colors between storms. So I went for a stroll.

Above is one of the four dragons that are perched on Ljubljana’s Dragon Bridge. I’ve posted about the bridge before here; dragons are a common theme in the Slovenian capital, but so is the castle perched atop a small hill in the center of town. This first shot below was actually taken from my balcony, which prompted me to head out. This is straight from the camera, no post processing. I’ve never seen the castle walls so vividly clear before, and I’ve lived in this spot for four years. (Here’s an older shot to give you a bit more context.)

This is the Franciscan Church on Prešeren Square facing north and below is the Ljubljanica River, facing south. I love how lush and alive it looks in late spring. The cobalt sky just sent everything into overdrive.

Above is the view east, again towards the castle (see what I mean?) at Dvorni Trg, which is home to my favorite wine bar, Dvorni Bar. Great selections by the glass – you must check it out. Below, just across the river, is Cankarjevo Nabrežje.

This is the early 18th C. Church of Our Lady of Mercy, located next to the Križanke Open Air Theatre. The latter was originally a monastery that dates back to the 13th C., but renovated as a theatre between 1952 and 1956. A great spot for concerts.

OK, one more. Another shot of castle hill, with Ljubljana Cathedral in the foreground.

In keeping with my aim to introduce as many as people as possible to Ljubljana –we can worry about pronouncing it another time– I’ve included this as an entry for Travel Photo Thursday (#TPThursday on twitter) hosted by Nancie on her website, Budget Travelers Sandbox. The direct link is here – check it out.

And Hey! Join me on Twitter.

B&W or Color? Very Simple 20-Second Poll No. 001

Posted on Wednesday, 13 June, 2012 by BobR

More storms today ruined the plans I had for my only day off this week, so I spent part of the day snapping those same storms.

This is a shot of the Kamnik Alps north of Ljubljana, near the border with Austria. I noticed some nice clouds forming as I was returning home early this afternoon, but by the time I got to my rooftop the promising drama in the sky didn’t quite materialize.

I didn’t play very much with either of these in post-production, besides the desaturation of the version below. Which one do you like better? Or do you not care for either? And after casting your vote, can you use the remaining few of your 20 seconds to stop here and congratulate Joyce for winning this month’s Giveaway drawing? Thanks!

Five Snaps in the Ljubljana Moors – Barje part II (pirancafe.com)

A Brief Afternoon Hailstorm in Four Movements

Posted on Tuesday, 12 June, 2012 by BobR

If you were hoping to spend 34 seconds of your day with a hail storm, please know that I’m always there for you.

This was earlier this afternoon when the racket roused me from my desk in the home office. Hailstorms are fairly common in Slovenia, and do considerable damage.

I’ll always remember 08-08-08 for two things: the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, and driving in my old Opel through a pounding hailstorm that smashed my rear window. I love these photos.

Clipped Wings and Anti-Fascists – Twelve Pics From my First (!) 100km Bike Ride

Posted on Thursday, 7 June, 2012 by BobR

I biked over 100 kilometers yesterday for the first time. That may not be a big deal for some people, but for a recovering former chain smoker like me, it is.

The bulk of it was from the city of Cerknica back to Ljubljana via Rakitna. Which meant lots of hills, too. Which meant plenty of stops to take photos. Above is the view from village of Gorenja Brezovica, which is southwest of Ljubljana, to the northwest. I would have missed this view if I hadn’t been on my bike.

To the geographically curious, here’s a route map of the Cerknica to Ljubljana part. When I descended from the hills to the Ljubljana Moors, I felt remarkably good so I just kept pedaling around. 100km became a quest. And I haven’t even felt too bad today.

A few more shots:

I didn’t clip his wings. I swear.

Memorial in Cerknica – Engraving reads: For the Victims of Fascism

In Begunje pri Cerknici

Barn, village of Kržišče

Near Gorenja Brezovica

‘Death to Fascism’ – Rakitna

Five Snaps in the Ljubljana Moors – Barje part II (pirancafe.com)

45 Second Piran City Gallery Advisor

Posted on Tuesday, 5 June, 2012 by BobR

In case you were looking, here’s another reason for you to visit Piran.

As I mentioned in this post a couple weeks ago, the main reason I visited was to check out the town’s freshly renovated Mestna Galerija, or Municipal Gallery, which after several delays and a price tag of about €1.8 million, official re-opened its doors on Friday, May 18. I was very pleased. And I approve.

The space, redesigned by postmodernist pioneer architect Boris Podrecca, is spread over three levels, giving the building, which has been used as the city gallery since the 1960s, a sparkling new identity. The pic above is the top story of the exhibit space, below is from the first story. (An aside for the photo-curious: both of these were snapped with a GoPro2 which accounts for the wildly different colors and hues from the rest, which were taken with a DSLR. In my experience there’s been nothing consistent or predictable about using a GoPro indoors.)

The first exhibit, IZ OČI V OČI_VIS À VIS_FACE TO FACE, is a group exhibit featuring artists who live, work or are originally from Slovenia’s coast. Below are a couple: La Lumiere de la nature-matutinus, 2012, by Gani Llalloshi, and Regata, 1984, by Mira Licen Krmpotic.

Gani Llalloshi – La Lumiere de la nature-matutinus, 2012

Mira Licen Krmpotic – Regata, 1984

On display through September. At the moment, NO charge. Website is here, but for now is almost entirely in Slovenian. The Gallery, which originally served as the city’s Loggia, sits serenely in the top right corner of the main Tartini Square, flanked by the City Hall to the right and the 15th Century Venetian House to the left. A few more shots below.

Enjoy the Rules – Graffiti Gallery for May 2012

Posted on Monday, 4 June, 2012 by BobR

I decided some time ago that much of the graffiti and street art being splattered onto Ljubljana’s walls is nothing more than vandalism. That hasn’t kept me from snapping photos of it. And every so often I’m even proven wrong. Like with the one above.

Here’s a selection of 20 pics, a ‘best of’ what I came across over the past month, and the first of what will likely be a monthly look back. They’re not all new per se, but they are new here. Most were taken here in Ljubljana, and a few during my quick trip to Piran a couple weeks ago.

If you’re a fan, a couple things I suggest you check out: a previous post here with a four minute-long video of Ljubljana street art I pieced together last year, and the Spadina Monologues, a blog where Toronto-based artist Christina Estima curates pics of graffiti from her hometown.

So face the wall, and Enjoy!