Underwater life

Almost 70% of the world is water. It's divided in fresh water like rivers, lakes and ponds and salt water in the seas and oceans. It's an impressive number. The thought that we humans, all 7 320 414 500 and counting, are living on only 30% of the surface of this earth is even more impressive. Let's stop and wait for a minute. If so much people and even more animals and insects live on 30%.  How much life is there in that other 70% of the world?

We humans that are not skilled in diving or can't afford to go under the water with a submarine, only know a little about what is going on. The only things we do know are things we can see because of fish tanks in zoos, aquariums, sea life centers and documentaries. The only thing we all know for sure is that it's a magical world. With the fantasy of mermaids is kept alive by Disney. And who knows maybe...they do exist? 

I'm one of those many people that isn't skilled in diving. God, no. Even snorkeling freaks me out. And no I can't afford a submarine to take me to all those beautiful places on the sea. So like every other person out there, I need to go to a zoo to see fish in action. No special cameras needed, no special effects. Just a lot of patients and good timing gives you access to beautiful photos.

If you want to take photos in an aquarium, you can't use your flash. Even when you shoot in automatic try to get your ISO up. Otherwise you are going to wait for a very long time for a very blurry picture without any fish. Fish aren't that fast so a shutter time of 1/the length of your objective will do. The diaphragm depends on what you want, good lighting on a lower ISO or a good depth of field. That's totally up to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Photography

Caroline  

 

Spring, at last

We are may now, and finally there is a glimmer of hope that spring is in town and here to stay. It took a while before the new season pushed winter out of the door. Winter is always fast to come around. And autumn never puts up a fight to stay a bit longer. The coldest and darkest season of them all does want to stick around. Sometimes it's stays so long we are all wondering if it's ever going to get better. But it always does. Although it is still too cold for the time of the year, we can't complain. Better days are around the corner and it will take a couple of beautiful months before we are in the cold again. So we better enjoy it.

Spring always brings hope and new things. It's the season of harvest, there is an abundance of new fruit and vegetables. It's the season were the boys run after the girls. And it's the season of birth with cute baby animals playing in the fields. The birds are back and you will hear them singing there songs before the crack of dawn. Blossoms and flowers are everywhere and make the world a colorful place. Everything looks vibrant and new in spring, everything is so beautiful. You feel your mood getting better by the second. But spring is not all fun and games, I do still suffer from terrible hay fever. But like I said, we can't complain.

To celebrate spring I have some flower photos for you. Last weekend was mother's day, so lets make it in to a late mother's day gift. The photos I took in the flower garden in Antwerp. I'm so busy doing projects that it's good to do something else for a chance. So when my colleague said he had a workshop planned with only two people and asked if I wanted to com, I said YES. It was good to focus on something else then kids and I did learn some new tricks. It's good to stay open minded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Photography

and Spring

Caroline  

Diamonds are a girls best friend

Diamonds... . What girl doesn't like diamonds. Marilyn Monroe sang about it and one day every girl wants one around a certain finger. But what do we know about these beautiful precious stones? Thanks to the movie Blood Diamonds with Leonardo DiCaprio we all know that there's a lot to do about mining diamonds, financing wars and murdering people. But did you know that 84% of all raw diamonds and 50% of cut diamonds are treaded in Antwerp? So I dare to say that Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world. A bit cocky, I know. I just mean it would be very sad if things would change.

And things are changing. The recession didn't help the traders. But that's not the only thing that has changed. I grown up with the idea that the Jewish people and diamonds went hand in hand in Antwerp. Indians are taking over. I know they need to have jobs too, but it's sad to see that tradition no longer matters. Most diamonds were cut in Antwerp, but more and more diamonds are cut and polished in third world countries like India. It's cheaper and there are less laws to obey. Diamond cutting and polishing is a hard job. It takes a lot of concentration and skill. Not a lot of people want to do it and it takes a lot of time and money to learn it. The fact that everything is now measured with computers doesn't make it any easier. It's a new technology designed to keep the cutting in Antwerp.
Hopefully it helps.

I'm not old, but everyone of my generation and older will agree if I say that our world is moving to fast sometimes. Things I took as true and everlasting are disappearing before we even realizing it. It makes my heart bleed when I think about it. Certain things are becoming history to fast. I think a lot of prestige and appeal will go away if the Antwerp diamond scene will change much more. We need a change in Antwerp. Before our amazing diamond scene is history. I don't want it to be all trading and no craftsmanship anymore. It so important that everything, the cutting, the setting and de selling, stays together. But just in case, me and my college went to take photos of diamond polishers at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Photography

Caroline

London part 1: The shopping

Everybody knows that London is the place to be for shopping. London is not only the fashion capital of Europe but food wise you can get everything you imagine. You just need to know where to go. Borough market is one of those places to be, if you want beautiful ingredients and a delicious quick bite to eat. If you go make sure it's the food market witch is from Wednesday till Saturday. We went on a Thursday around lunchtime, the perfect time to go. Go and taste some amazing street food before you head down the produce stalls. If you are a foodie and a tourist, I swear that you are going to miss having a kitchen nearby. It all invites to buy and inspires you to cook. But you can find some great souvenirs that will please everybody.

If you are a fashionista or just a good old fashioned shopaholic you would love London too. I'm not going to promise that your credit card and bank account are going to have as much fun as you, but who cares? What is the first shopping stop you are going to make? Harrods perhaps? Please do, and if you can't afford anything in the shop, well... There is an amazing gift shop. Only walking around makes you feel like you dead an gone to fashion heaven. If you are there don't forget to go to the food department, there are restaurants and shops with gorgeous food and produce. Even a fashionista has to eat, right? A last fashion stop we made during are trip to London, only the most famous streets in London. Regent street, Carnaby street, Old and New Bond Street and Oxford street just to get a nice closed circle. We were lucky it was a sales period, so I did some great finds.

Ok, I know this is a photography blog not a fashion blog. But can a girl have a break? And I did take some amazing photos. I know there are not my best, I was being a total tourist. But even the best photographers need a break once and a while just so the can be trigger happy again and take some good touristy snap shots. So why can't I?

Harrods

I take them all, thank you Fendi.

Borhough Market, I think somebody was hungry

Hmmmm

Eat your 5 a day, this way

Yes, that one in the front, please

Do I need to say more?

 

Crossing Oxford street and Regent street

Almost at Carnaby Street

Piccadilly

Somebody wasn't happy to wait




Enjoy Photography

Caroline