Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Modern Art


My friend David arrives today for a weeklong visit from the states. Woo hoo! I'm schlepping out to Heathrow this evening to collect him and bring him back to our humble flat. I'm sure he has a full roster of things he wants to do. Probably lots of museums, which will be great -- my Dave isn't a museum guy so I usually have to go by myself.

Now may be the time to catch up with some intriguing exhibits, like the Tate Modern's newest, which looks really interesting. When I was in my 20s I had a big framed poster of the David Hockney painting, "A Bigger Splash," that lends its name to the show. I think I've already seen the painting in person -- maybe at the Tate, which apparently owns it -- but I'd love to see it again.

Of course, David isn't a fan of modern art, so maybe we won't see that particular show. It's just at the top of my own personal wish list. David is a fan of Leonardo da Vinci and other Italian Renaissance painters of his ilk. I guess I could manage that too.

Yesterday I figured I better get in one last photo wander (although I'll certainly take my camera when I'm out and about with David), so I took a long walk through Kensington and Chelsea all the way to the Thames, and then back up to Sloane Square, where I caught to the tube home. Got good shots, like the one above -- although I really need to learn how to use the manual settings on my camera so I can freeze people without blurring them. I like the blurry effect, the display of motion. But I do it all the time and I suppose it might seem a little amateurish, an obvious indication that I don't entirely know how to control my camera.

Have you seen these people who want to secede from the union because Obama won the presidency? It cracks me up. Go! Please!

4 comments:

  1. What an amazing eye you have!
    So really? Do these states think they can just be their own country? I'd like to see them give that a shot.

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  2. I've been laughing at the seceders too - signing a petition doesn't mean you'll get your wish. Do they really think they can do without the things the federal government provides? Who's to keep Mexico from invading Texas, for example - the Texas Rangers? (The police force - not the baseball team!)

    I love that picture - the colors & lines & the lady with her cart :)

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  3. I love it that people in the U.S. can send the white house a petition without fear of being imprisoned. God bless America.

    I love David Hockney! Will look forward to a review.

    Have a great time with your friend and by all means, control your camera! Ha.

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  4. Steve: Shutter priority. ;) And the highest shutter speed possible in your given light. But of course you already know that.

    It might be fun to use a tripod and do the exact opposite with a really slow shutter speed and get someone in a complete blur. But if you're anything like me the mere mention of the word "tripod" makes me break out in hives. I need to get over that phobia.

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