Monday, December 17, 2012

Old Dogs In Porto


The life of this particular old dog over recent weeks has been devoted to attempting to learn a whole set of new tricks. Changing computers was just the start : one bit of hardware is very like another bit. The devil is in the detail of the software updates. Not only have I installed Light Room but I have updated my version of Photoshop from one which still had the unmistakable smell of developer fluid and acid hypo fixer. Tasks that were instinctive a month ago now seem to require an obstacle course undertaken whilst wearing a blindfold and balancing a mouse on the end of my nose. And that is a real mouse, as I ditched my computer mouse along with my old computer and invested in a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and pen.

I am currently slowly importing all my old digital image files into Light Room, and because I started taking digital photographs about 15 years ago, that is quite a task. At least it gives me time to review my old photographs, so you will have to excuse me if I take the opportunity to post some here. Think of it as an exercise in new tricks for an old dog.

I took this particular photograph in Porto, Portugal in March 2000. I was covering the EU Summit meeting which was taking place in the city and I took advantage of the beautiful Spring weather to explore the glorious old city.

7 comments:

  1. Great shot, Alan! And good luck on the new set-up; adapting to a new system is always a slow and frustrating process.

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  2. I instantly loved this photograph. I guess it's the light and how it wreaks of humankind. Software can definitely be exasperating.

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  3. It is a wonderful photo. The color and the things on the balcony create such great character and charm. I help adults and students on a daily basis who don't want to do trial and error when it comes to using new software or new computers. They want me to give them instant answers about all problems on their computer or about software. Many times I walk them through it and force them to find there own solutions as I am not always going to be around. I agree with changes that make things harder. I am angry with facebook in the way that they have diminished the ability to make changes in the photo album. Their older version worked great and now I have to outwit the new version to get the results I want with my albums.

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  4. Great shot, I never seem to have a camera with me when confronted with such scenes of urban life, or if I have, the eye to see the picture.

    The same shot taken in the UK would just look dull, grey and shabby.

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  5. I find these structures fascinating in how they are "wall to wall". Then I wonder how deep they are. There's a lot of color for an impoverished area. There , you made me think and imagine things.

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  6. What a great photo..I imagine you will find lots of treasures in your organizing quest! :)

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  7. A super photo, Alan, worthy of a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle. I like the way the balconies are misaligned. But despite close scrutiny, I can't spot those dogs!

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