ChrisKern Photography

Jazz it up!

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:14 +0100

Doing my bit for Tourism again. This time, its for Switzerland. If any of you are Jazz lovers, you might try the two free open-air concerts held in Switzerland each year. The Mendriso festival in June, and the Lugano Jazz Festival in the first week of July (www.estivaljazz.ch) This is the view of Monte San Salvatore as seen from the waters edge in down-town Lugano. Just across the Lagoon to the left (out of shot) is Italy. Ticino is the only Canton in Switzerland where the official language is Italian. As it is so far south, its got a very mediterranean climate, and when the Jazz festival is in full swing its nice to sit outside at the edge of the water, listening to some great live jazz with the cool summer breeze gently flowing over the water.

Mourning

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:46 +0100

Warsaw, Plac Saski. April 10th 2010 Marks a sad day for Poland when a plane carrying a number of top Polish military, politicians including the President and his wife crashes near Smolensk killing all 96 people on-board. What makes this more painful is the fact that the delegation was on its way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre where around 20,000 Poles were executed by the Russians under order of the Soviet Politburo and Joseph Stalin. The people filled the streets in thousands with queues of over 7 hours to catch a glimpse of the coffins of the President and the First Lady this week before they are buried. Plac Saski is about 400 meters away from the Presidents Palace, where a much more modest tribute is gathered.

Carnivale

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:16 +0100

Ah Venice. I must admit I was a little apprehensive with the thought of the crowds, I heard how busy Venice can be during carnival season, but what a blast! The atmosphere, the people, the colours, the emotions. I have a lot of respect for the people that take what must be hours to prepare themselves to look like this, and I'm not aware they even get rewarded for it in any other way then getting their photos taken while still remaining for the most part annonymous. While Feburary isnt the warmest time of year, its still nice to get out at sunrise (which isnt that early) and walk the deserted streets. 6 hours later the contrast is amazing.

Passing through

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:16 +0100

Travelling again...recently it seems like Ive not stopped for long. Its nice to get out and see things from time to time, but I'm starting to look forward to a nice long break again somewhere. I dont think I'm going to get it for a while with the schedule I've got lined up for the next couple of months. I need to get out more with the camera. I think my photography is suffering to the point where I've fogotten how to use the camera. I'm still trying to find some time to post things up...

Silent guardians

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:34 +0100

On to the next...well, while I am not aiming for a shot a day (I know what my limitations are, and how much shooting time I have these days so I'm not even going to attempt that) I think I have already beat my own pathetic record from last year and maybe 2008 as well. This is a view of Paris by night taken from the rooftop of the Notre Dame. If you have been to Paris and have only seen this from the ground, youre quite possibly missing out. I'm sure there are many places in the world like this one that I dont yet know about. I'm still trying to find as many of them as I can.

Sunrise from a new perspective

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:58 +0100

Sunrise taken from the window of a plane. Ive been playing around with Adobe Lightroom a fair bit recently and there are some very nice tools available in the newer versions. Ive always kept away from making adjustments to selective parts of a picture, and opted for the "this is how it was shot" approach. I know a lot of photographers do it on a daily basis, sometimes you can see the end result was worth it because the image has a lot of impact but at the same time its got a very artifical look to it. At some point in time you stop being a photographer and start becoming an artist. I think I'm going to stick with being a photographer and if some parts of my image are too dark or the light just wasnt there, well sorry. Thats the way it was when I shot it. (This photo also hasnt been modified apart from levels and hue/sat) I'd like to hear What other people's thoughts are on this.

Pest

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:52 +0100

This week I have been taking a look at some of the blogs that I used to watch regularly. I can see I'm not the only one thats been struggling to keep up with commitments such as regluar posting. I was surprised that a few of the sites no longer exist. I'm not the kind of person who waits for a new years resolution to decide to do things, but with the new year upon us, I would like to wish all of you a great start to the new year, and I hope you find something in 2010 that you really want - whether personally or professionally or privately. All the best.

Reblog

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:02 +0100

Yes, it might be true. I might be back to blogging again, we will have to wait and see. Over the last 2 years I was planning on taking a lot of photos and posting on a more regular basis, but that just didnt happen.... well some things didn't happen. I was away so long that I was locked out of the admin section when I tried to get back in! at least it was nice to know I had over a thousand comments to moderate from some nice websites that have closed down. Oh well. I'm going to try to post a few of the photos I have taken over the last year or so. No promises though :)

End of Day

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:58 +0100

Thats it - theres a moment when you put the camera down, and say "today is over, this is it". Today was one of those days where it was an uphill struggle to get a decent shot, and just when you have almost given up on nature, it comes back with a vengence and surprises you. Theres a lot of fight left in the Earth, and I've seen it today. Never give up hope. Theres always one last chance.

Confinement

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:31 +0100

There may be a cage between me and this beast, but that doesnt mean I wasnt terrified of him. Sometimes I think it must be hard for animals to live like this - but on the other hand...were not actually so different. You can still live in a cage with invisible bars, or even inherit them. Sometimes they're made of steel, sometimes of money or moral obligations (like a 9-5 and a mortgage and bills) sometimes we make them for ourselves. Sometimes I like my cage :)