Tag: Panasonic

Paranoia … it’s Alive and Flourishing!

Most of you wouldn’t be familiar with these lyrics:  “Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep …”.  It was from a popular song written in 1966 by Buffalo Springfield called For What It’s Worth, but it still rings true, today, as I found out in a local grocery.

I live in a relatively small neighborhood and sometimes I take my camera out for a walk.  Often, I’ll stop by one of the local stores to see what’s interesting, photographically speaking.  What I like about the super markets is they have great lighting and are full of all kinds of detailed patterns and bright colors – perfect for photography.  And the one I frequent most seems to be struggling because there are almost never very many people there so it just makes it easier to take photos relatively unimpeded … usually.

This morning was different.  I was wandering around snapping a few photos, some of their “secret” stuff like apples and apricots, when I was approached by a manager asking what I was doing.  So I told him and showed him the last few shots which were very colorful (apples) and competely benign – not incriminating in any way.  He said they have to be careful and on the “lookout” for competitors and/or journalists, but then was nice enough to tell me I was okay and maybe just ask in the future.  Okay, I guess I can understand that, but still ….

So, what is going on in our society?  I’ve noticed other times when people would look at me with that concerned frown on the their face as they wondered, “Who’s the guy with the camera and what is he up to?”  I’m not “up to” anything.  I’m just a photographer out looking for some interesting images.  If I were doing something nefarious, I wouldn’t use a nice camera, I’d use an 8MP iPhone, get great images and no one would ever know – or wonder.  Maybe it’s just that I look intimidating.  A 63 year old with a slight (very slight 🙂 paunch, grey hair, not tall and obviously not in great shape is a scary sight.  Yeah, that’s got to be it.  hehe.

I guess I’ll just start asking permission but then that makes me think of a couple of quotes:
“If you can’t take the answer, then don’t ask the question.”
“It’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.”

Y’all have a great day!

The apples and the balloons were shot with the Olympus OM-D E-M5, using the Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 lens.

Musings from Castle Pines

As a society, I think we’re getting just a little bit spoiled … especially here in the good old U.S of A.  And I’ll be the first to admit I’m as bad as anyone.  For instance, when I need to get our one and only car serviced, Big O Tires is kind enough to offer me a ride home so I don’t have to wait in their lounge. So far, I haven’t taken advantage of this courtesy, but then I only live about 300 yards from the shop.  🙂

Another wonderful convenience is the “drive-thru”.  Virtually all of the fast food chains have one and even one of our local Starbucks Coffee Shops is willing to oblige anyone who is just in too big a hurry to take the time to park, walk inside, and wait in that line.
Actually, on a side note, I’ve felt pretty “inconvenienced” ever since we left Florida back in 1973.  Not far from our house was a drive-thru where you could get milk, bread, eggs, and even a six-pack of beer if you were thirsty.  I haven’t seen one of those wonderful services since.

As I sat there at a small table on the Starbuck’s patio, I happened to notice a small camping trailer driving by.  It was really cute, shaped like a tear drop and probably no more than about 15 feet long.  I probably should have done this image in color because it was mostly shiny aluminum with some very bright orange trim all around.
I sure would like to get up in the mountains for a week or two of camping, hiking, and fishing … oh, and photography of course!

Most of these images were taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 using either the 14-150mm zoom or the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7.  The last one of the Advenir Apartments office was with a Sony Nex-6 and Sony 10-18mm f/4 zoom lens.