I’m not generally one to eulogise about equipment.
Earlier in the week, however, I met the Leica M Monochrom fitted with a Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 lens and fell in love…
Never handled a Leica? I recommend it.
If, like me, you haven’t for a while then it might be time to visit your nearest purveyor of fine cameras, refresh your memory and dare to dream…
Behold the hand-built lenses…
Following on from my post last week, you are now among the first to be able to view Duncan Davis’ tribute to his old mate of 35 years, Keith Crombie.
Last Monday, Newcastle came to a standstill as Keith’s friends joined him on his last journey from Pink Lane, through the city centre — a tiny bit of which he transformed into his own corner of Paris, the Jazz Café.
Perched 130ft atop Grey’s Monument in the icy weather, I was honoured to be able to help Duncan film the extraordinary funeral procession.
So, it’s Sunday morning…time to pour your favourite hot beverage, take your seat at the Jazz Café and settle down to enjoy Duncan’s tribute to a Newcastle legend.
“The Edge… There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over. The others — the living — are those who pushed their luck as far as they felt they could handle it, and then pulled back, or slowed down, or did whatever they had to when it came time to choose between Now and Later.” — Hunter S. Thompson
I know what he means and I expect many of you do too…
This fine short by Piotr Kabat came to me via the superb brain pickings.
At this time of year, happiness seems to be the buzz-word. Happy Christmas, Happy New Year…
I bid you those wishes, of course, but personally I strive for my own nirvana — level contentment.
To err on the edge of euphoria can be too closely connected to sadness and hardship.
So, if I may, I’d rather wish all my Followers a contented 2013. To my mind, it’ll be much better that way — happiness and bliss can be such demanding emotions.
This fine video clip* of polar explorer Aleksander Gamme illustrates my point pretty succinctly as he unearths his pre-stashed supplies…
* Referenced by Radiolab in their latest podcast about bliss.
This is my last post for 2012, the year in which this site was born.
Thank you for your company, enthusiasm and support over the last few months…see you in 2013.
I’ll leave you with a short film showing the extraordinary working methods of Ian Ruhter.
“There is a point in every person’s life when they must choose to follow their dreams or be stuck in the life they fear.” — Ian Ruhter
My thanks to Ian Aitken for bringing Ruhter’s work to my attention.
Jack Lowe 