My lifestyle

 

I am a young ; ), retired Australian who enjoys life in Asian countries. I am not a four-star traveller. I move around slowly and I'm more interested in people than monuments. I get down and dirty and mix with the locals. I love to meet people who might be considered 'exotic' to us westerners. (Though I'm sure they don't think they are.) I'm interested in getting to know them and experiencing their lifestyle. I like to share all this pictorially here on flickr.

 

My equipment

 

1999-2005: Kodak DC265

 

My first digital camera was a Kodak DC265 with 2MP and 3x zoom. I joined flickr early in 2005 and my first uploads came from this camera. Later, I also uploaded some of my older pics from this camera mostly taken in Australia.

 

2005 to present: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20

 

Early in '05 I upgraded to a Panasonic fz20. I have really enjoyed this camera and at the moment, most of my pics on flickr have been produced by it. It is now showing signs of the wear and tear of my lifestyle. I decided to leave it behind in Australia when I last returned to Asia. faves

 

2007 to present: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX3

 

While the fz20 is not a huge or heavy camera its size is not conducive to carrying it everywhere. I got myself a Panasonic fx3 that is truly a pocket camera and is available at all times. When I don't have the fz20, the fx3 does a reasonable job. However as it has no manual controls it is a little challenging for creative photography. faves

 

2011

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10

 

This camera is small, not quite so small as the fx3, but is still suitable to carry just about anywhere. It has a 3" LCD, 12x optical zoom, a 12MP sensor and manual controls that allow me to be in charge if I so desire. faves

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Lumix G Vario 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 lens faves

Lumix G Vario 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6 lens faves

Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 pancake lens faves

  

This is my first interchangeable-lens camera. At the time of writing I've had it for just one year and am still learning. I hope to learn from other flickr members who have this or another micro-four-thirds camera. I will be checking your pics and asking a few questions. I particularly welcome your comments on my pics

 

I like this camera because while it is relatively small and light it has a metal frame. One reason I was attracted to this camera is its three inch rotating LCD screen. However I rarely use it because I have grown to prefer the EVF which does an excellent job.

 

2012

 

Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 lens faves

 

My newest acquisition. At the time of writing, I'm still getting to know it.

 

Me 'n' flickr

 

I welcome your comments. Genuinely constructive criticism is welcome but condescending remarks are not. Nor do I need to be told how wonderful my photos are by the way of graphic comments. Thanks, but I'll simply delete them as I believe they detract from the pic. I avoid groups that encourage this practice. I also delete comments that are obviously there to lead others to your photostream without making any real comment on the pic concerned.

 

If you add me to your contacts I'll take a look at your pics and profile and if I think we have something in common I'll add you too. Please don't be offended if I choose to not add you. I'd prefer to have a smaller number of contacts whose work has meaning to me and which I can take time to look at regularly. I also regularly take a look at the work of others who comment on my pics.

 

I usually submit my pics to only a small number of groups to which they are most relevant. I don't enjoy browsing groups and seeing so many pics that I've already looked at in another group. I tend to not comment on pics that have been added to a large number of groups. I'm also not impressed by those who add their pics to groups that they obviously don't belong in.

 

I do not treat favourites gratuitously. If I favourite one of your pics it is my way of saying 'I wish I had taken this shot' or 'I aspire to take shots like this'. It is my highest accolade. If you take the time to look through my favourites you will get some idea of what I am trying to achieve with my photography.

 

Thanks for visiting my profile. I trust you'll enjoy my pics and that I too will enjoy yours.

 

Photography as art