Around the world in 80 days

[Grumpy John]

Here's another lockdown thread also inspired by Ozzie_Traveller's Covid 19 thread.
I've chosen to put it in the Projects section as there will be a mix of landscape, people and architecture.

Day 1 Nha Trang, Vietnam. 27/10/2016

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day GJ

A beaut study of the person seemingly enjoying a quiet moment to themselves. Not sure about the 2 verticals in front of the subject, but otherwise I would be happy with it too

Phil

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for looking and giving feedback Phil. The verticals are some bamboo I was shooting through, they are a bit "in your face" but I thought they helped frame the subject.

[Isac]

Good job really John. Pinpoint focus through the bamboo. It would be nice if it was gone but it's how you saw it so I can live with it, it's something different and the rules for photography are now null and void. Be a good challenge for you though.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the feedback Greg. Agree that it would be a better image without the bamboo being so prominent, but as you said "that's how I saw it", well actually that's how the camera saw it. I probably didn't notice the bamboo as I was so intent on capturing the guy playing his simple bamboo flute.

[Grumpy John]

Day 2. Zabriskie Point, Death Valley California, U.S.A. 16/05/2003

[Isac]

The texture on those foreground hills is amazing - sort of like paper mache. Lovely.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day GJ

The range of colours across the field of view is quite extreme ~ and not a tree to be seen anywhere!

Phil

[Grumpy John]

Thanks Phil. The drive through Death Valley was certainly very interesting.

[Grumpy John]

Day 3. Panama Canal, 16/10/2017

The Nieuw Amsterdam going through one of the locks, we were in the adjacent lock on the Norwegian Sun. There's not much room between the lock walls and the side of the ship.

[Isac]

Another lovely shot John. I like the lines which you've got perfect throughout the image. Maybe a shadows lift but that's just me.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

A 'wow' from me ... never seen the likes of it before

I would presume that the lock walls would have built-in rollers to keep ships from scraping ... but even so, "there ain't much spare room Mum"

Phil

[Grumpy John]

No rollers mate, you can see the "skid marks" all along the lock walls. They do a pretty good job though the ships are tethered both sides, front and back and dragged through the lock. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
We were supposed to be cruising through the Suez Canal next March, but the super has taken such a hit that we have had to cancel that holiday. We'll be spending our hard earned pensions/super on local holidays for the next few years. Not a bad thing either.

[Grumpy John]

Day 4 Barcelona 29/04/2011
A cold wet day in Barcelona.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

Hi GJ
One of those pics where the people enhance the image, giving it more 'body' and visual strength. Great verticals, beaut buildings
Phil

[Grumpy John]

Thanks Phil, I loved the architecture in Barcelona.

[Grumpy John]

Day 5 Kyoto, Japan. 20/10/2016

They do like their red.

[Isac]

Now there's a challenge John!!

[HansE]

Great colours. Lovely composition. Really grabs your attention and ticks all the boxes!

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the kind words Hans.

[Grumpy John]

Day 6 Istanbul, 10/05/2011

Looking across the rooftops.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

A quite different view of the mosques - the stonework from the builders is beautiful. ps- I wonder about the fella whose job it is to keep the spikey bits polished!
Phil

[Isac]

Are they Dome Cafés ?

[Grumpy John]

Day 7 Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. 8/12/2013

[Isac]

Beautiful coastline pic John.

[Isac]

Couldn't resist!

[Grumpy John]

I knew you wouldn't let me down Isac. Did you download that font, or create it?

[Isac]

I wasn't going to do it but not being very busy ATM I just kept thinking about it - so did it anyway. I thought you would have had a go though
The free font is called Night in Tokyo. Click to download it. I did a Japanese version as well.
night-in-tokyo.zip

[Grumpy John]

I did have a play around with it, but couldn't get the effect I was looking for. Thanks for the link to the font, may have another go at it later.

[Isac]

I await your work mate

[Grumpy John]

Day 8 Hong Kong 25/1012016

[Ozzie_Traveller]

Crowded and busy tenements - and always someone selling that damn drink!
Great pic tho - showing life as it is for many people
Phil

[Isac]

Very vibrant area by the looks (and so are the colours). I know what the B.S. means on Mr Shing's sign but not the M.B.
Maybe it means MORE B******T.

[Grumpy John]

Well spotted Isac, the main reason for taking the photo.

[Grumpy John]

Day 9 Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. 3/05/2010

Pikes Place Market.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

An enthusiastic sign writer following the also busy cook
Phil

[Isac]

I got crabs as a teenager John - still don't like them

[HansE]

Great memories. I keep wanting to add pics was thinking of starting a theme called where is it and show me yours!

[Grumpy John]

Go for it Hans, i would love to join in.

[Grumpy John]

Day 10 London, U.K. 24/05/2011

We had gone to Buck Palace to see the changing of the Guard, It was the same day Obama decided to drop in. They put on quite a show.

[Isac]

They do look rather dapper in their Bearskin hats. These are the Scots Guards of course. How can you tell?

[Grumpy John]

3,3,2

[Isac]

You got it. Great song by the Big-O - we play it in our band! There's one hidden but it's just a plain one.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

Yes- the Britz certainly know hos to do 'ceremony' ~ closely followed by the Yanks - anad then there's "us" who argue politically about whether it will offend someone or another!

And when I see this I recall the days 120+ yrs ago when they went into battle wearing these bright colours and wondered why they got shot. Strange process
Phil