Digital Photo Gallery of Ted Szukalski
Fine art digital photography, photographic news, reviews, articles and resources.

Mirror Image

A simple mirror image photograph of a girl standing right next to a shop window. Sharp angle of view and the fact the girl was right on the edge of the window provided for a very clear reflection.

Hand Held

Few people may realise but the digital revolution with both video and still cameras has brought one very negative aspect to capturing your favourite moments. The use of the LCD screen as the main tool for composing and focusing on the subject means people take photos with their hands stretched out. This photograph of an Asian man perfectly demonstrates the issue.

Now, let me explain what is wrong with it. If you put the camera to your eye and use the optical viewfinder or even the in-build electronic viewfinder your camera is relatively steady as it rests against you. If you move a little bit it probably won’t even matter and the photograph will be sharp. When you stretch your hand out and move by the same factor the length of the arm multiplies that movement resulting in blurry images.

Girl in trouble

I always have mixed feelings when I see young people begging for money. Usually, it makes me angry as in Australia the social support system is quite extensive. Also, currently Australia is experiencing lowest unemployment numbers in a very long time. Another words if someone wants a job they have a very good chance of finding it.

Having said all of that I could not feel anything else but sorry for this young woman. She wasn’t even actively asking for money. She just sat in the middle of Pitt Street Mall, quite helpless and lost.

Now, this is a place where not only she will get some spare change. I often see people from various charities approaching the homeless and people in need. Seconds after I took this photograph an older woman approached the girl and had a very long conversation with her, passing some brochures in an attempt to help her or let her know where she can find help.

Sadly, 30 minutes later when I was returning from my lunch the girl still was there.

Studebaker MG_6826

This very imposing, yellow vintage Studebaker was one of many cars on exhibition at The Entrance. The collection was very impressive and contained vehicles from early 1920s to late 1960s, when Studebaker ceased producing these classic American automobiles.

Visit the Studebaker photographic gallery

PS: this actual photograph was taken by my new “assistant” - my son Sebastian.

Three on a bench

I have observed a couple of unrelated incidents today and yet I felt they were tied together under a banner of “acceptance”.

Firstly, in the morning, a homeless woman on the train sat on a three seater bench. She took the first seat thus block remaining two seats. Despite the carriage being full and many people had to stand no one dared or wanted to seat next her. She looked rough but otherwise seemed clean. Finally, a young man excused himself pass her and sat next to the window. She certainly did not like it and made sure he, and other people on the train knew about it. Admirably, he kept his cool. To my surprise, the woman preferred to stand up as she was not prepared to share the seat with anyone. I thought, she should have been glad he accepted for who she was and did not make any fuss about it. Obviously such acceptance meant nothing to her.

Few hours later a similar situation. A homeless man on a three seater bench was half laying across it watching a game of chess. Two Japanese ladies sat next to him. They have exchanged looks and all of them kept watching the game. Acceptance in this case was probably irrelevant as the interest in something in common was of higher importance.

Deep Thoughts

This beautiful Asian girl stood on the opposite side of the road to me waiting for the green light. Yet, I could clearly see being deep in her thoughts she was somewhere else.

Story teller MG_8980

Dressed like a character from a classic Humphrey Bogart movie, sporting a checkered hat, tie and suspenders and smoking rather large cigar this man was telling some story to his charming companion. The story seemed very interesting as you can see from the attention he was receiving from her.