Summer

We haven't exactly had the dryest or hottest summer over here in Newcastle, but Saturday was a pretty beautiful day and while hanging out in the park with Justin and Judith, I managed to get this shot that in my opinion captures the essence of summer. It's definitely one of my favourite shots I've ever taken, I hope you like it.

Summer Ball Group Shots

click images for a larger version

Portrait of a Man

Julian E. Obubo

picture taken by Justin Tay

Wedding Pictures

I was part of the official photography team at the wedding of my friends Estelle and Onn Yik, now Mr and Mrs Yong.

Here are a few of my favourite shots I took at the event. Click on them for a larger version

Summer Ball

I had the chance to use my D5000 at an event this weekend. The Globe Summer Ball was yesterday at The Assembly Rooms in Newcastle.

I think the camera performed flawlessly, below are a selection of pictures from the event.

I decided to go with a Malcolm X inspired look for the ball, hence the old-school glasses, you shall be seeing it more often!

Click the images for larger versions (and witness the awesomeness of the camera....check out that sharpness!)

The New Look

Ladies!

Katrin

With Rachael

Marlene Swing Dancing (or air cycling)

With Lois

Koslowsky!!

With Ben

With Marlene

Katrin, Marlene and Rachael

New Camera: Meet Stephanie

Hooray, I have finally purchased my first DSLR camera, and what a great one it is. I've now got the Nikon D5000. I was planning on getting the D3000, which has less features than the D5000, and is also significantly cheaper, but after a little investment and advice from my economist father, I was able to gather enough funds to get the D5000.

A friend of mine, Justin, was also on the search for a new camera, and he had set his eyes on the Canon 1000D (after the Canon salesman at John Lewis had lobbied heavily in Canon's favour, pretty much saying Canon was the be all and end all of photography. Period!)

Justin called me up on a wet and overcast Wednesday afternoon, saying he lacked inspiration while writing his essay, and was prepared to buy the Canon that afternoon. Lacking inspiration myself, I considered it an inspired idea to go camera shopping. So I grabbed a jacket and put on my shoes and we went off to John Lewis to buy our respective cameras.

When we got there, we asked the saleswoman if we could handle the Nikon D5000 and the Canon 1000D respectively, she obliged, and I think she was expecting us to ask her a few questions about their functions, little did she know that we had engaged in endless research about the cameras. After about 20 seconds looking at the cameras, we looked at her and said 'We'll take em' She looked back at us, surprised. It was like we were a bunch of young millionaires, buying expensive gadgets on a whim.

She went to the backroom to get the cameras, but when she returned, she only had the Canon in tow. Alas, John Lewis was out of D5000s. She looked disappointed, I looked disappointed. She asked if I would be prepared to wait two weeks for the D5000 to arrive. "Two weeks!!" I thought, "Increíble!!" I needed it now!. So with sad faces we parted (well Justin had a smile on his face) and went right over to Jessops.

Walking right over to the till, I demanded to purchase the D5000, the cashier looked up at me and said, 'would you like to look at it first?' I replied, 'No, that won't be necessary, thank you' ...slightly bemused and amused she went off to get the camera.

There it was, the gold and black packaging gleaming. I was satisfied!

I have a habit of naming my cameras, and this Nikon D5000 has been named: 'Stephanie' (from the Greek: Stefanos, meaning 'Crown') a fitting name I think.

I haven't yet had the oppurtunity to take her out and take pictures of Newcastle (due to adverse weather conditions and academic commitments) but I shall show you a few pictures I took in my room, and a picture of the camera itself.

Lens cap, taken with the D5000

My mugs, taken with the D5000

My street at night, taken with the D5000

Stephanie (my Nikon D5000)

New Self Portrait

Newcastle in her glory

So I've been living in Newcastle upon Tyne for over a month now, and I just felt I haven't talked about or shown you the beauty of this city enough. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go, enjoy pictures of Newcastle

The Baltic

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Tyne Bridge

The Sage, Gateshead

Vibrant Colours!

Approaching the Bridge

Grey Street, going downhill

Church of St. Thomas the Martyr

Newcastle University Student Union Building

Framed shot of Church of St. Thomas the Martyr

Entrance to the Quadrangle

The Armstrong Building, Newcastle University

Self Portrait

A self-portrait session involving minimal light and serious close ups. Enjoy!

Signs of Spring

With my dissertation done, I can indulge in my hobbies with a clear conscience. Since spring has arrived, I decided to take Natasha (my camera) to Sunderland's very own Mowbray Park and capture the beautiful scenery. In terms of daylight, today was a good day, but what the camera does not capture is the temperature, boy was it freezing; my fingers were going numb.
Anyway, enjoy my pictures

Extreme Close Up