It’s quite some time ago since I have been in Thun, it’s a interesting feeling walking around here in this town. Thun is my birth town and in some way it’s a home.
With all the travel we do, did you never asked yourseles where is home?
Good night
Juerg
It doesn’t need to be the Caribbean or some other well known place. Close to Zurich we have a place called Hirzel, it’s a landscape with many small hills and on each hill you will find a tree.
It’s a tradition that the farmer who owns the small hill plants a tree on top of it his first born son. The result is a stunning landscape. Specially during sunrise or sunset.
A few days ago I did the third shooting in on the Hirzel, as we had a warm and dry wind blowing over the hills we got a clear view and a stunning sunset.
6am on the Hirzel
Sometimes I do complain about the waves and the salt on the camera. A few weeks ago I had the chance catch in images the work of the talented architect Bruno Huber from Lugano. Here the challenges are light and shadows, corners etc. It’s an old Walser house in Klosters, Serneus build around the 1700 century…don’t miss the sauna and the whirlpool…
(click the image to see more)
Juerg
Together with Lynn Fitzpatrick we managed to publish the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Book within hours of the prize giving for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, a coffee table book with a foreword by regatta organizer, Bruno Troublé, will be available for distribution.
With just the right balance of prose from sailing journalist, Lynn Fitzpatrick, and some of my best images. The book is the perfect keepsake for everyone attending this historic match racing event in Auckland, NZ. For those who were not present for five days of practice and 16 days of exciting match racing between world renown skippers, helmsmen, tacticians and crew from 10 teams representing 9 countries, this photo journal allows you to live vicariously.
Serata foto giovedi 5 Marzo 2009 ore 19.00 Palazzo Congressi Muralto
In collaborazione con la Federazione Ticinese della Vela e banca SYZ&CO organizziamo una serata foto con le più spettacolari immagini di vela internazionale come:
-Maxi Catamarani
-Monaco Classic Week
-Barcelona World Race
-Tour de France a la Voile
-Giochi Olympici di Qingdao
-Voile des St. Tropez
-Volvo Ocean Race Singapore 08/09
-Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Auckland 09
Entrata e libera
p.f.v. registratevi per questioni logistiche:
With support from Nikon Switzerland I have had a chance to test a brand new D3X from Nikon Singapore during Volvo Ocean Race Singapore stopover.
I felt honored to have this opportunity especially when I have learnt from Max Sim (Nikon Singapore) that there where only 2 cameras available for tests and I got one of them…that’s a good start.
Since the last Olympic Games I have been using Nikon D3 almost on a daily basis, so I was very curious to see what I can do with the new D3X. The look and feel are the same as those of D3; so are the buttons. In a nutshell, besides the logo there are no external differences.
The menu is identical, so there is no big need to study the manual. It didn’t take me long to spot out the differences. However, ‘24 mega pixel resolution of D3X generates massive files. Max advised me at the very beginning not to expect the same ISO range as the one in D3. In fact, the range in D3X is only from 100 to 1600. Another difference between the two cameras is speed. The high continuous settings from the D3 give me up to 11 images per second and the D3X gives me only 7 images. Though, such difference makes sense as all the data has to be processed and it does take sometime. With D3X we are getting closer to the typical Hasselblad’s resolution and they don’t do 7 images per second.
If all other features remain at the level as this of D3, in addition to the amount of pixels that D3X gives, then D3X is a great tool.
I think we can achieve a good quality at ISO 1000 just like we can with the same setting of D3 for sport and action photography. Those that work in the studio, with plenty of light, will get even more out of the camera as those that normally work with daylight.
Since forever I’ve been missing the flexibility of 200 – 400mm. When shooting racing yachts, there are moments when you can’t get close enough to the object and then you dream about 100mm or more and greater cropping flexibility. The best solution, in my eyes, would be 200 – 400mm lens with 1.4 converter and the new D3X.
On the way to the media center of the Volvo Ocean Race, I had to make a decision regarding lenses. The question remained: “Should I go with 300 mm F2.8 and 1.4 converter on the D3X or maybe its better using the 70 – 200mm F2.8?” Considering the limited ISO range, I opted for 70 – 200mm. So, the long lens (300mm plus converter) was mounted on D3.
I picked up Nikon D3X in the morning and at 11am on that day I did my first shots during the practice race. Through the day, I have had the impression that the quality of images, taken at high ISO setting up to 800, is good. In fact, it’s a real pleasure to look at the screen that’s the same as the one of D3 and being able to zoom and zoom to check the focus of the shot. Here, I realized for the first time, the difference that higher resolution makes.
What I have felt during the shooting was the matter of speed. Before the boats come around the windward mark, I switch on continuous high. I have kept having the speed of the D3 in mind, but the camera in my hands was D3X with capability of 7 images per second. Slightly more images would not harm as all goes so fast, you just shoot and choose your image later. I was thinking “com’on baby, a bit faster”. On the other hand, considering a greater cropping flexibility, D3X is a much better camera.
When I returned to the media center, it was the moment of truth, but all turned out to be as expected. Though, I have to admit that it was the first day I used the JPEG files. Lightroom 2.2 is not reading RAW file of Nikon D3X and Nikon’s software, Capture NX 2 needed an upgrade right away on its latest version.
The next day I tested the camera at the Singapore Botanic Gardens with all the special orchids. My equipment included Nikon 105mm VR macro lens and SB 800. I encourage you to look at the images so you can notice the amount of details that is just impressive.
During the evening I went for a night skyline shooting, just to see how the camera performs at night. Believe or not, you can zoom so much that you really see what’s behind windows of those skyscrapers. It sure will be a great tool for secret services and detectives.
In the meantime, I got hold of the capture NX update and I could finally work on the raw file and ‘yes, you can watch right into the offices of the buildings’. With Nikon D3X, you can start to do landscape panorama shots and still have a good amount of pixel/data in your image after the crop.
Being a spoiled Nikon D3 user, my expectations for D3X were high and I have to say I am more than happy with this camera despite it’s high price. However, I’m not sure how many agencies will switch on to D3X at this time. Studio photographers working in different segments have a better chance to amortize such an investment and I believe this is the place where the cameras will be sold the most. My question would be ‘invest in camera or lenses?’ I would love to go for the camera, but an old rule says ‘invest in lenses first’, then in the camera.
The rate at which the amount of pixel increases is 20-40% and the size of the file doubles almost every year. Although this is in line with the principles of technological advancement, the question ‘what are we heading towards remains’? An even higher resolution? More colors, therefore more data? Speed or price reduction ? One thing is certain, once I return home I need to double my hard disk storage space in the archive , if I am to use Nikon D3X.
Now I’m jumping on the plane to Auckland, New Zealand to the next shooting, Louis Vuitton Pacific Series regatta. Who knows, it might be that by the end of this event I will start to miss higher resolution so much that I will consider buying D3X.
Jürg Kaufmann
Nikon D3x Digital SLR Review go4image go4image.com yachting photography marine photography aerial photography sailing
In den letzten 3 Jahren verbrachte ich Weihnachten in Singapur. Jedes Jahr gleicht sich dem andern, es ist warm und regnet oft. Die Orchard road die haupt Geschäftsstrasse ist farbenprächtig dekoriert und so viele Leute dass man automatisch nach 2 -3 Stunden das weite sucht im botanischen Garten. Nur eines hat sich kontinuierlich verändert, alles wurde immer teurer. Ich denke da nicht nur an die Taxis und die Hotels, was die Touristen merken sondern auch der Immobilien Mark.
Singapur blickt zurück auf Jahre mit berauschenden Wachstumsraten. Dies führt dazu dass kein Vermieter, sei es für Wohnungen oder Geschäftsräume kaum Verträge über eine Dauer von 2-3 Jahren abschliessen denn kein Vermieter will sich diese Chancen mit einem langen Mietvertrag vergeben.
Die Regierung hat über die Jahre eine perfekte Geldmaschine entwickelt und diese lief auf Hochtouren 24 Stunden 365 Tage im Jahr.
Dieses Jahr empfinde ich die Teuerung als extrem, dazu kommt noch eine Verschlechterung der Geschäftsethik, es wird kassiert wo es nur geht. Die billigen Angebote werden von der Regierung bewusst schikaniert. Denke da an den Malaysischen Flughafen der in 30 Minuten mit dem Auto erreichbar ist. Damit dieser nicht zu beliebt wurde ist es den Taxis von Singapur nicht erlaubt über die Grenze zu fahren und Bussunternehmen bekommen auch keine Bewilligung.
Der Staat schröpft die Einwohner wo er nur kann, es hat schon was von einem gierigen Fürstentum wie wir es aus den Geschichtsbücher kennen. Ich glaube die Versuchung es dem Staat gleich zu machen ist hoch, jedenfalls komme ich mir vor wie eine Kuh die gemolken wird bis sie davon rennt.
Die Restaurants sind extrem teuer geworden, für jedes kleine Ding wird saftig separat verrechnet, sei es nur das Brot, sprechen wir nicht vom Wein wenn die Flasche Mineralwasser mit 19 Dollar auf der Quittung zu finden ist. Da fragt man sich ob der Wirt seit dem letzten Jahr Größenwahn bekam oder ob der arme Kerl einen neuen Mietvertrag unterzeichnen musste.
Sogar in den berühmten und beliebten „Foodcourts“ eine Art öffentliche Kantine wo an den Seiten Nudelsuppen, Reis, Dumpling’s etc. verkauft werden, gibt es die Servietten nur noch gegen Bezahlung. Stellen sie sich vor, sie haben gerade eine paar Portionen von diesen Köstlichkeiten bestellt und bezahlt und fragen nach einer Serviette, da diese beim besten Willen nicht zu finden sind.Die Antwort kommt prompt im typischen Singlish: „Cannot, no have, you buy!“ und zeigt mit der Hand zum Getränke Stand.
Wenn die „Foodcourt’s“ sogar aus den Servietten Geld machen wollen, gehe ich nicht davon aus, dass die lokalen Banken nur konservative Anlagen im Angebot haben, das Glücksspiel ist zwar verboten gehört hier aber zum Volkssport.
Wie lange kann das so weiter gehen, irgend wann muss doch ein Ende kommen? Irgend wann wird aus dem wirtschaftlichen Traum ein Alptraum. Sind wir nun kurz davor? Ich glaube es hat was, denn was wir dieses Jahr in Singapur erlebt haben ist weit weg entfernt von gut und böse.
Nun sitze ich Im Flieger unterwegs nach Laos um ein paar Tage unberührtes Asien zu erleben. Hoffe, dort die Welt noch einigermaßen in Ordnung anzutreffen und lese gerade die Singapur Wochenend-Ausgabe der Financial Times. Auf der Titelseite wird nun auch die Krise in Singapur angemeldet, wurde auch langsam Zeit!
Die Wirtschaft soll im 2009 um 2% einbrechen, Im letzten Quartal sanken die private Immobilienpreise um 5.7 % das schlechteste Quartal seit man sich erinnern kann. Die Analysten glauben zu wissen dass der gesamte Immobilienmarkt um 10 – 20 Prozent zurück gehen wird, was passiert mit den Immobilienpreisen, kommen die auch runter?
Das kommt mir irgendwie sympathisch vor wenn ich an die horrenden Mietzinsen und die kurzen Fristen bei den Mietverträge denke.
Der weltweite Ölkonsum sinkt weiter, das hören wir auch Zuhause, nichts neues, lese weiter: Der lokale Riese SembCorp ein Big-Player im Ölborinselnbau, bekam im letzten Quartal keinen neuen Auftrag. Es kommt noch schlimmer, die Analysten gehen davon aus, dass es Singapur unter den Asiatischen Wirtschaftszentren am stärksten treffen wird. Irgendwie wundert mich das nicht.
Ich frage mich nun ob das wirklich schlechte News sind? Für die billigen Arbeitskräfte aus Indien und dem benachbartem Malaysia sicher. Ein paar grosse und viele kleine Investoren wird es sicher hart treffen wenn es nicht schon passiert ist.
Frage mich aber auch ob es wirklich eine Krise braucht damit wir wieder zur Vernunft kommen vielleicht ist die Wirtschaftskrise auch eine Chance. komisch irgendwie freue ich mich auf die gratis Servietten in Laos.
Grüsse aus Asien
Jürg Kaufmann
A milestone in the world yacht racing industry
The first time in the history of sailing many of the key stakeholders of our industry found the way to Monaco to jointly discuss the future our industry. It never appeared to me clear that we are all part of big family and that we are all working in the same industry independent of the countries organizations or teams we belong.
Interesting session with great speakers talking about sponsorship, event management, and key elements driving the world yacht racing industry.
The sailing community is used to meet and come together for events but this is the first time all focused on exchanging ideas and discussion approaches how to improve our industry, networking without having a race to be sailed or organized.
The session about the future of the America’s cup didn’t brought any new hope for a fast resolution of the conflict between Alinghi and BMW Oracle. Paul Cayard Cleary outlined the more fundamental problem of the current situation. The Americas cup moved up to a new level in the last few editions and current management concept as described in the deed of gift does not allow a fast resolution of conflicts. Will and independent body improve this situation and how can this be put in place.
The economy slow down is not only a headline on the news but also having an impact on the founding of the events, teams etc. are this challenging times an opportunity to strengthen the world yacht racing industry. What is the value of an event investment, how can this be properly measured to what is the return of the investment and how is the industry positioned within other industries. It became clear that if well managed the sailing industry is capable of delivering a much higher return as mostly any other sport.
This was certainly the first step in to the right direction and I hope more of this will follow. There is one point who remain addressed only partially, out of the discussions became clear that in the eye of many large event organizers such as OC Events ISAF with his democratic approach is not able to fulfill their requirements.
What is going to happen, will the forum be an important platform for ISAF to better understand the needs of many professionals in this sailing marked or will it be even possible to contribute and cooperate on a different level.
Future will tell
Juerg
Since a I made the upgrade on the MS Office 2007 I was struggling a lot with this new version. Why we had to do this step? Lot’s of functions are different, mostly hidden somewhere and new functions im not using anyway.
Bottom line, my PC is slower, spend some money for something I didn’t used and on top of it I didn’t had all the languages in the spell checker. The last one is quite important for me as I do have to write in different languages.
I wasn’t a big fan of open source software so fare, don’t really know, probably it was a prejudice from the old times I used to work with the Microsoft guys.
Two days ago I finally installed the new version of Open Office. Firsts thing, you download it for free, great, press install and it works right away. The functions and buttons are again different as the office 2007 but honestly dead easy to learn.
Do you need an aditional spell checker, no need for the credit card or walk in a shop and buy a CD, just click on new function to install and download it again free from the Internet.
So fare I used the writer module and for what I need it’s great. Opening an and working on existing Power point presentation in the presentation module works also. Had to adjust a bit the spacing between the lines but te rest was great. Forget to mention, Excel, works too.
In these days with the actual situation on the market I’m really asking myself how long customers will take to the move to open office.
My current version of Office 2007 is still installed on my notebook, but the temptation is very strong to just delete it and by the way saving a lot of space on my hard disk, another cost reduction measure.
Do you also want a free open office? Just go on www.openoffice.org
