adetorrent; photography, lifestyle.

There is an old African saying; "One tree does not a forrest make". African is in italics because I've encountered this saying elsewhere outside Africa. It's a universal truth, and is one of the bases of our humanity. We are meant to be in a community, not alone. In an older post, becoming truly great - hiatus interrupted , I mentioned "hard work" as one of the ways to be great. In the time I have been looking into this greatness concept, I have found another to be community. The adage "Your network is your net worth" speaks of that power of community.  I'm quite the loner myself. I like to do things alone - photography and other things - without seeking help or participating in groups. I don't really like team sports or games that rely on other people to play a part in the plight for collective glory. Like many, I probably exhibit some social awkwardness when in a large group. Well, change is here. I attended my first ev...

I took the Zenit 12XP - the camera I'm currently reviewing - out for a spin the other day. I ended up in Potbelly in Westfield, Stratford.  It's a big bright colourful American eatery that claims to be a 'sandwich shop'.  I can report that it is much more than that. They do some other things well, coffee being one of them. Above all, they do it in bold, beautiful colours. I couldn't resist taking some photos of the Zenit with all the delicious yellow and custard-coloured tiles and table mats. Ironically, photography is not allowed in the Westfield complex itself unless there is a person posing for it, i.e., unless you're taking a selfie or photographing a person you know. This is apparently for 'security' reasons. Whatever. Anyhow, I love Potbelly. I love the big windows and the quality of light in there. I will be back there soon to take photos of some of my other cameras for sure.

When it comes to England, I've been accused of lying with my camera. Thing is, England is truly a beautiful place. The problem is, living somewhere often desensitises you to the place. For example, there are so many people that live in Folkestone that absolutely hate the place. I on the other hand find it absolutely exotic. It's got sort of the same chalk formations you see in Eastbourne and Sussex, but with its own peculiarity - it's mixed with algae, clay, sediments and remnants of bricks from fallen buildings under which the ground had been eroded long ago. The best views can be seen after a bit of a walk and obstacle scaling though so many people give up and turn back just before the magic happens. There's this bell that was installed by the Norwegian artist A.K Dolven.  It's so prominent on the seafront and it looks amazing every time. It echoes the same green hue the water takes on within the barriers of the harbour. Talking of the harb...

Yes, England, and Great Britain generally, is known for being dull and monochrome. That is because most people never take time to experience other parts of the islands outside the big cities. Take Ramsgate - the very colourful marina town in Kent. On a good sunny day, it would rival the most colourful parts of Spain or Italy.  And on a cold, cloudy, stormy day, well, it's just England. Ramsgate is in Thanet, Kent, and is a perfect staycation destination for Brits. It also offers many things to foreigners as it displays some examples of fine British architecture. My favourite thing to do there, apart from drink coffee and stare into the colour, is to browse through the antique shops for nautical items. I've even found some exquisite vintage cameras there for next to nothing. Oh yes! And there's the beach - part sand part pebble.  What's special about Ramsgate's beaches though is the giant wall of chalk where England ends abruptly along m...

They dominate the south of the island, looming over the Atlantic shores. They are a constant reminder of Tenerife's volcanic origins. Towns have come and gone on top of, on the side of and in the shadows of them.   Birds and clouds on top, the salty Atlantic water at the bottom - there's always some kind of flow, some kind of current interfacing with them. Centuries of corrosion, storms, sedimentary deposits, construction and vegetation have given Los Gigantes their character.