Working For The Man - Madrid Photos / Fotos

New MAP advertising campaign? Go on... click it... you know you want to.

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to update my blog over the past week or so, nor have I even really been taking that many photos as I've been spending most of my "productive hours" editing video.

I did have some time while I was capturing new footage to my computer to set up the above shot on my balcony and try out some off camera strobe photography on Phil. The final result was tonemapped in Photomatix and cropped/tweaked in Photoshop. Gives it sort of a Diesel advertisement feel.

Anyway, I'll be back into the swing of photo things soon enough I hope.

- Justin

Trash Treasures - Madrid Photos / Fotos

The newest addition to my photography related gear is an old wooden drawer I found in the street one night, coming home from a bar, slightly sauced. Alas, not so drunk as to not realize a perfect opportunity to snag a useful item from the street.

It wouldn't be the first time either. In my old flat I had three large chairs of different shapes, shades of brown and sizes, all of which I had found in the street. How!? Where!? Why!? Well once a month the city has a "throw out your old furniture" day so special vehicles can come around and collect them. If you are quick enough and lucky enough you can snag some real finds. Just be sure to grab or stake your claim (sometimes friends need to be called when the rare and often sought sofa is left curbside) before the gypsy resalers get there first, they are even faster than the city employees!


-Justin

Hot Dang! - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Nudists on the march!... er... ride! Though this footage is actually of last years "ciclonudista" ride, it was held again recently for the same reasons, to protest the horrendous number of cars in Madrid and the danger they pose for cyclists. Why am I posting it here? Boasting rights of course! I get to shout out that...

I made this!

Ok, ok, it's just a video, but this is the first time I have ever done any form of video editing and was also the first time I had ever touched the software I used to make this, so needless to say, I'm happy.

- Justin

P.S. Can you say Tyler Durden? *wink*

Poker Plaza - Madrid Photos / Fotos

There is something to admire in knowing that one day there will be little else in the world that matters more than a card game in the park with old friends.

- Justin

Gijon, Spain - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Just got back from my weekend trip to Gijon in northern Spain. Weather was great, food was great the atmosphere was great. Everything was great. Check out some pictures here or go to my flickr page to browse on your own and read descriptions.



- Justin

Gone Fishin' - Madrid Photos / Fotos

...is going to Gijon for the weekend. Fresh pictures when I get back, until then go check out my new strobe experiments at flickr!

- Justin

Cocido Madrileño - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Progress!

Don'cha think?

That is all.


- Justin

Eggcellent Food - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Today was my first day of adventure in the treacherously difficult jungles of food photography. I've never had much luck with it, and I've only tried it on a handful of occasions with little to no success. Alas, I think I have finally cracked the secret of this "eggnigma" with the cleaver use of lighting and a proper lens.

In this particular shot I'm using my new Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 prime and an SB-600 speed light (in wireless mode). As far as lenses and flashes go they are about as "bang-for-the-buck" as they come and on top of that I made a "softbox" light diffuser out of a shoe box!

Oh and if you still aren't eggxactly sure why I keep finding places to stick in an "egg," the dish pictured is a Spanish "Tortilla," Spain's version of an omelette.

- Justin

Paseo / Stroll Series 3 - Madrid Photos / Fotos

So I headed over to the Rastro open air street market and the general area this morning for another "stroll" series. I probably would have hungout in the area longer and shot more had it not been so blazing hot! The dreaded month of August is almost here and as always, "aqui no hay playa!" =/



For descriptions of the photos head over to my flickr page.

- Justin

Madrid Metro Map - Madrid Photos / Fotos

I came across a rather interesting image of what was supposedly one of the potential new designs for the Madrid Metro system official map, and when comparing it to the design that "won" back in April, I'm rather surprised this circular bliss hit the cutting room floor.

The original map (or "plano") that was previously in use dates back to the 1980's (and by no means looked "dated"). It had a very straight forward approach to its layout, utilizing angles where necessary and displaying all metro stops evenly spaced along their corresponding lines. The new map on the other hand (see below) at first glance just looks like a tightly compacted mess.



Here's a full sized PDF file version of the new Madrid Metro Map (4mb).

- Justin