Patterns

Swirling

Swirling
Fuji x100s, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/60s, ISO 800

The first time I saw such massive incense spirals burning was at Man Mo temple in Hong Kong. I was happy so see some again in Saigon, they’re such graphic objects. The light was much better in Saigon too although it makes them a tad less dramatic I guess.

A Thousand Buddhas

A Thousand Buddhas
Canon 7D, 96mm, f/4, 1/6400s, ISO 1600

 Now that I’m more or less settled in Shanghai I can start sharing photos again. Many, though not all, will be from Asia, as you can imagine. This is from a wonderful ‘antiques’ market in Dong Tai Lu, Shanghai.

Rippling Branches

Rippling Branches
Fuji x100s, 35mm, f/8, 1/60s, ISO 800

 I don’t usually do these kinds of abstracts, but there was something fascinating about the way the reflected branches of this ancient tree reflected in the pond as my son threw pebbles in the water.

Pinecone in Darkness

Pinecone in Darkness
Canon 7D, f/13, 1s, ISO 200

 Still life is as much an exercice in technique as it can be an artistic endeavour. I’ve long been fasinated by Edward Weston’s Pepper No. 30 and without any illusion of getting anywhere near his mastery of light, I’ve been experimenting with similar in the studio still life concepts. I did a fair amount of work on pinecones, and this one is one of the most interesting results, I think.

Eclade

The Eclade Charentaise is a mussle dish from the Charente region of France. Raw mussels are spread on a stone table, covered with pine needles which are set on fire. That’s how the mussles cook. It’s a very pungent dish, and an even more fascinating pattern to shoot for a photographer.