Rolling With The Semis

This is a little dated, but given the lack of time I've had to really mess around with my equipment, it's good enough I'm not writing an historic article :p

I decided to step up to a mid-range/semi-pro DSLR body after some months playing around with my 500D and learning as much as I could about creative photography. Personally, I don't think I've come to even 1% of the framing and composition skills of the true pros out there, but I'm really enjoying myself with this stuff :)

A big thanks in part to Daniel and Anthony, who've been my sources of advice and support. Dan was the one who introduced me to the world of "L" lenses, and after grabbing my first one on his advice, became infected with what Canon shooters have come to know as the "L-disease" (*chuckles*). I've made a wish-list of all the L-lenses I plan to get, which is, of course, based on the kind of shots I would be taking.

The 7D was an unexpected upgrade for me, as I'd been planning to grab a full-frame DSLR early next year, but I figured that lenses would prove to be a better initial investment, and I should have my next lens before my trip to Africa. Though not a full-framer, I think I can safely say the 7D is no pushover (Read heaps of reviews to back it up). It'll be my main camera for a good long time :) I've sold my 500D since, but I definitely miss it. It was, after all, my first step into the world of photography. I hope its new owner takes good care of it and enjoys using it as much as I did :)

500D - The Ol' Faithful

7D (right) beside her older sister

Sample shot (7D w/EF 85mm lens)

85mm Pics

I finally got my hands on a Canon EF 85mm lens a few days back. I have to say that the 85cm MFD took some getting used to, but the quality of the shots taken was more than satisfactory in my opinion, for the price of the lens.. Some preliminary shots can be found below. I think this is one lens that'll stick with me for a good long time :)




























- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Washed out with hot water?

Uploading photos to the net seems pretty darn annoying when color reproduction accuracy goes all over the place during the file compression process. This is even more obvious on a color-calibrated display. Sigh..


See comparison below:

A photo image on iPhoto and the same one on Facebook. Notice any differences in color?

I thought JPEG compression worked by tossing information on redundant color information and the colors not perceivable to the naked eye (At least on the first level of compression). Annoying.

Stirring the dust

Hello, you familiar place.

I'm surprised Blogger didn't cancel my account after over a year of inactivity, but it looks like there's some cleaning up to do. There might be some purpose for this place yet. Updates will be in soon.

*dust* *dust*

*sweep* *sweep*

Restaurant Review: The Meat and Wine Co.

Note: I'm test-running a personal POV review style of blogging atm, not sure if I'll keep it up. If you know anything about the stuff I write about, feel free to leave comments ;)



Name: The Meat and Wine Co.
Style: Western, fine dining
Location: Southbank, Melbourne
Average spend: $18 - 35

I had dinner at this restaurant with Carol and a few mates from church. Stepping into the restaurant from a cold wintery evening, the warmth of the restaurant’s reception area was a welcome change. The receptionists were attending to the customer before us, but paused momentarily to assure us that they would tend to us soon. Within five minutes we’d been shown to our table, a makeshift booth seat using leather sofas with plush cushions. My first thought when I saw this was that I’d have to sit as straight as a ruler to avoid having my dinner two inches under my nose, but the height of the table was just right.

The lower area of the restaurant was actually an open-air section, but during the winter it’s been draped with a large clear tent-like material to keep the wind out. The lower section was also divided into sections for groups of four or more, while tables for one or two were situated on the upper level. The bar was also situated upstairs. This made the group dining area look and feel more lounge-y, and less cramped to boot. The lighting was a little dim but bright enough for me to see my food. Even with the plastic drapes next to me, I did not feel stuffy in anyway, suggesting that the place had good ventilation even though it was filled with people.

On to the important parts; the waiter was friendly and politely asked us if we’d like to have our dinner the traditional 3-course way or head straight to the mains. He did not write down our orders, but repeated it to us accurately before leaving, showing that he was attentive. I’d decided to go light this round due to a slightly moody stomach, so I had the Caesar salad, while Carol ordered the Hawaiian Burger. The food took slightly longer than expected to arrive, but that was because it was delivered all together and a couple of us had ordered steaks. The food was all hot when it arrived at the table (except for the salad, of course), so we were happy to be able to tuck in at the same time without having to wait for one of our meals to arrive.

The salad was fresh, but lacked any significant taste that would’ve set it apart from the Caesar salads I’ve had at other places. The greens were crunchy, but the bacon cuts were either too tough or too soggy. The sauce was slightly watery and i could not seem to make out which part of the salad was egg. It was average at best.



The Hawaiian burger was much better, with a well-cooked patty that was slightly rare at the core, giving the meat some juice and flavour. The top was layered with a ring of pineapple sandwiched between two slices of tasty cheese. It was served with a side of chips and onion rings, which was neither too oily nor too dry. One of the dishes I’d recommend to anyone visiting this restaurant.
I finished off with a flat white coffee that night, which was pretty average-tasting, on par with the one served at Starbucks. Nothing fancy here, just that it costs a tad more than a café’s brew.







All in all, it’s a nice place, with good food and excellent service for its price. Good for if you have a group of four or more for dinner. This is a place worth visiting again.

Food: 7/10
Coffee: 6.5/10
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

Tagged.

Replying a tag game. What a way to start off. Oh well...

Tagged by John Gan... apa la mate... haha...

Love Quiz
Game rules:

A． People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves. Tag 8 people. Those who are tagged cannot refuse.

B． These 8 people must state who they were tagged by. You cannot tag the person who tagged you. Continue this game by sending this to 8 other people. People who are tagged will be blessed and their wishes will come true in the future.

1.If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
Betrayed as in cheated on me? I would have to call off the relationship, but I'd still be alright with friendship, putting the initial awkwardness aside.

2.What will you do if you do not share the same feelings as the person who likes you?
I'm usually oblivious to this sorta thing. Or maybe it's never happened to me. Haha...

3.What will your dream wedding be like?
A small-scale garden wedding, where I actually KNOW all the people who're attending. Of course, I want my family and all my close friends there first and foremost. Followed by a month-long honeymoon in Paris and possibly other travel destinations...

4.Are you confused as to what lies ahead of you?
Who isn't?

5.What's your ideal lover like?
Check my facebook pics =P

6.Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone else?
I'm gonna have to go with the latter. Realise that most of the time you can fall in love with someone, but most of the time that someone won't love you in return?

7.If the person you like does not accept you, would you continue to wait for them to change their feelings?
There's a limit to that I guess.. But if it's crystal clear that person's said no, why continue? God has someone better in store...

8.If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
See answer above.

9.Is there anything that has made you unhappy recently?
Left it to God, so can't remember it now...

10.What do you want most in life?
What I REALLY want? Complete happiness within my family, and of course to remain healthy throughout life.

11.Is being tagged fun?
Sometimes... Like right now as I'm answering this I'm actually waiting for my download to finish. But sometimes it will take my time sommore, har....?! (Directed at John LOL)


12.If you find out that your best friend is going out with your boyfriend/girlfriend, how would you react?
I guess I would gain an ex-best friend and an ex-girlfriend.

13.Who is currently the most important person to you?
I don't have a most important one, but I guess I do have a top-5 list, heh...

14.What kind of person do you think I am?
John? Great guy, awesome friend, yumcha buddy, funny and caring towards close friends. Girls, what're you waiting for?!

15.What is the most unforgettable thing/event in your life?
Destroying an entire rack of clothes with a fire extinguisher at the age of 5...

16.If the person you secretly like cannot recognise you, what would you do/how would you react?
I don't know.. never happened to me..

17.Would you give your all in a relationship?
Definitely. I always regard my relationship as serious and everlasting.

18.If you fall in love with two persons simultaneously, who would you pick?
How in the world does something like that happen? If it does, I'm obviously not ready to commit to a relationship.

19.What type of friends do you like?
Those that like me for who I am, not what I've done. Other than that, it's always good to have a common point of interest...

20.If you played a prank on someone, and he/she fell for the trick, what would you do?
Erm, have a good laugh?

The people I'd love to tag either don't have blogs, or they've already been tagged, so I'm gonna have to end it here. Don't worry, I'm sure some other people will continue the chain. Toodles...

Abandon

This track I trudge along
The path seems not to change
Twenty years and a day forward
Am I still the same?

I thirst for a difference
I can't stand to stay
A minute more's too long
Take me, take me away

I'm abandoning all, reaching for You
Leaving behind what I once thought was true
This shell that I'm in, once bound down
Has been shattered and nailed
And I am new

I thought my past
Was all that I had
I held on for so long
How could I've not known
That my future was waiting
Have I been so blind?

I thirst for a difference
I can't stand to stay
A minute more's too long
Take me, take me away

I'm abandoning all, reaching for You
Leaving behind what I once thought was true
This shell that I'm in, once bound down
Has been shattered and nailed
And I am new

This life is no longer mine
This body no longer bound
I've chosen to leave it all
Abandoned to You

I'm abandoning all, reaching for You
Leaving behind what I once thought was true
This shell that I'm in, once bound down
Has been shattered and nailed
And I am new.