pjvenda's photostream

Portuguese by nationality, security consultant by profession [in the UK].

About me:
* I am a geek.
* I am also a petrol-head. I like everything about cars, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, engines in general, wrenching, etc.
* My preferred music style is *-metal.
* I am a biker. Proud owner of a 2009 Triumph Speedmaster which replaced a 1993 Yamaha Virago XV535.
* I am a UNIX-head [former system administrator - I've used all "common" OSs].
* I am happily married.


See my website http://www.pjvenda.net and my blog http://blog.pjvenda.net to learn a bit more about me.

Photography got into me seriously starting from August 2006. I invested in a digital SLR (Canon EOS 350D] and began the path of self teaching. Before that I did not even own a camera. I have read a few books and a lot of online resources.

And you know what? It's working! I am proud of some of my shots. [My own favourite shots] Far from good enough to make a living out of, but good enough to me! My best achievement so far in the fields of photography are a couple of invitations to use my phtos in books, one of them for the cover!!! I'll just keep learning and practising.

I don't believe in modifying photos in general. I prefer to get them right from the camera (apart from slight contrast+colour adjustments at development by bibble 5), but sometimes things are just begging to be transformed (B&W, HDR, dramatic crops, etc.

I have produced a number of half-decent panoramas which, until now, have all been shot handheld and stitched by hugin & friends.

My favourite subjects to photograph are:
- The wife;
- Landscapes (+ panoramas);
- Cars, Motorbikes, Aircrafts and Boats and/or everything with an engine or visible mechanical parts;
- Technology (computer hardware, etc);
- Flowers / gardens (bokeh action anyone?);
- Architecture (inc. details, locks, windows, doors, facades, street lamps, sculptures, etc.);
- Still life - random objects;

Current kit:
- Canon EOS 40D
- Canon Speedlite 580EX II
- Sigma 10-20mm EX DC HSM f/4.0-5.6
- Sigma 18-50mm EX DC f/2.8
- Giottos MH1300 + MH621

Past kit:
- Canon EOS 350D
- Sigma 24-70mm EX DG
- Sigma 18-125mm DC f/3.5-5.6



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