Sophie and Izzy were kind enough to pose for photos taken with my new Olympus E-PL1. I should say up front that when it comes to photography, I only dabble. I'm just a hobbyist with little or no talent. I take 4000 photos when I go on vacation, occasional photos around town, etc. With that said, here's a brief mini review of this new camera. It's one of a class of new "Micro Four Thirds" cameras - a dSLR-like camera without an internal mirror. Here's a web page that discusses the Micro Four Thirds concept. This basically allows a much smaller, lighter camera body without sacrificing image quality. I think the name refers to the aspect ratio of the photos - 4:3 - unlike 35mm film cameras whose aspect ratios were 3:2. The 4:3 ratio is smaller than dSLR ratios but much larger than compact digital cameras. Not as large or heavy as a dSLR but with all the customization options, including ability to swap different lenses and full manual control that pricier cameras have.

 

There were complaints about the Olympus E-PL1's focus time being extraordinarily slow - in terms of digital cameras - around .5 seconds or more to get a focus lock and snap the picture, but a firmware update to ver 1.1 that came out in the last several weeks has all but removed that short-coming. So far I love the camera. The fact it also has the capability to film HD video in 720p is a nice added touch. Will write more later when I've had a chance to photograph something other than the dogs.

 

 

My nephew I hadn't seen since he was born and my niece, well, it had been too long since I'd seen her or her parents either. Distance is never an easy thing with family. There's either too much of it or not enough. Balancing life and family can be challenging. The goal, I suppose, is making the best of whatever distance is between kith and kin. Might seem a long way to some, to hop on a plane for less than 48 hours' visit, but all seems completely worth it the minute you have your arms around two such wonderful kids and your lips land on your Mom and sister's cheek. Is it realistic to live next door to your family? No, of course not. It isn't 1870 and Laura Ingalls Wilder has been dead awhile. We all have lives and careers that take us in different directions and when you share your life with someone else, it's doubly challenging, when their family is factored into the equation. The key is never forgetting about those out there that love and care about you. And making sure they know you haven't forgotten through your actions.

Lots of Kandinsky, a couple Chagalls and a Picasso or two for comparison. Nice exhibit. Glad we caught it before it vanished.

The best pizza in the entire world. According to Zagat, only G-d makes better pizza.

Not bad. Have to reward myself. Still working on that one.

I almost didn't bother taking a photo today. Like I said at the beginning, I suck at follow-through. It's a wonder I feed myself on a daily basis instead of just saying "fuck it". I'm too lazy to take in nourishment. Then, somehow, I persevered. 

Exhausted between having worked overnight last night and going to do the same thing tonight. This will have to suffice for today.

I had every intention of taking the Nikon out today but got distracted with the cold weather and a good book. Tomorrow's another day.