The Flickr Aroundmycorner Image Generatr

#siderssunday

A happy spring dance that I spontaneously captured today across the street and duly slid in Color and Analog Efex for Sliders Sunday. There's a bedding of snowdrops in one of the front gardens in my street which reliably announces spring's arrival each year. Not that we needed that hint this past week because it has been beautifully warm and sunny, and only the chilly wind was a reminiscence of winter. Alas, temperatures will drop considerably again next week but let's be fair, March has only just begun.

One of my favourite filters in Color Efex is "Brilliance and Warmth" which has the "Perceptual Saturation" slider. The latter often brings out the most unexpected hues in an image. For a natural look, it's best to use it carefully, but here, it brought a cheerful, "bouncy" note to the image, and since it's Sliders Sunday, I went in a little bolder with that particular slider than I usually would.

The colour burst also corresponds well with the weirdly-coloured chromatic aberrations of the 20mm F/1.4 lens that I couldn't completely remove in LR. I don't know, if I got a de-centered or otherwise faulty copy back in 2020; in every other respect, the lens is beautiful, so I decided to see the chromatic aberrations as a special "characteristic" of that lens.

I also added a hint of fine, small grain in LR because LR Raw Denoising (not that the original image had been that noisy) made the image look too clean and therefore, a little "clinical".

Happy Sliders Sunday, Everyone!

#siderssunday
#urbanpoetry


These yellow coneflowers (the high-growing variety) grow in the same spot every summer in a front garden around the corner. The "house" to which the front garden belongs is more of a hut, and the owner or tenant built a recording studio with padded walls in the two tiny rooms. The adjacent house, the one that is the background of this image, is very old and battered, and it's under heritage protection. I assume that the owner, an old gentleman, can't afford the renovation which must follow the strict guidelines required in heritage protection. So one thing is clear: a future owner will have to put a lot of money and work into the renovation of that house.

There's a busy bee on top of the tallest flower. I just so managed to catch it before it flew away in search of more delicious pollen of which there is plenty in the front gardens.

For Sliders Sunday, I gave this image the full (well, not quite, but you get the point) Nik Collection treatment, adding the texture in Analog Efex, and the other processing was done in Color Efex.

HSS, Everyone :)

#FenceFriday

Some fence and bokeh fun for Friday. Photo taken on a recent stroll around the corner to check out my "new-old" Lumix GX9 and my rediscovered OM System 20mm F1.4 lens.

The GX9 is another new, used acquisition (this time from MPB), a camera I considered buying back in 2018 when, for rational grounds (High-Res mode, splashproof, designated HDR button, etc., all of what the GX9 doesn't have), I got the Oly EM-5 Mark II instead but, strangely, never warmed up to the latter so I traded it in for the OM1 two years ago. Of my few outings so far with the GX9 I can say that the camera was instant fun. True, the electrical viewfinder is nothing to call home about but still nice to have, and it's a cool feature that it can be folded up. And the battery life... it shares the battery with the much smaller LX100 series, so it doesn't last that long but since I now also own both LX 100s (I and, since Easter, the Mark II) and I already had a couple of extra batteries for these, it's not a big deal.

With the huge hype about (and general unavailability of) the Fuji X100V and VI, cameras like the GX9 (and even the still older GX80/85), the Ricoh GRIII, the 8-year-old Pen-F and such are being extremely hyped up as well right now. So I'm glad I got a GX9 copy "as new". I'd have loved to get a Pen-F but the "as new" prices are almost the same as the original retail price of its release year 2016, and that's insane.

As for the 20mm F1.4 lens, the 40mm equivalent is a focal length I like very much. However, at first, I also didn't warm up to that lens, either. I thought it lacked in sharpness, and my copy suffers from extreme red (!) and turquoise-green chromatic aberrations which, however, can be dealt with in post even if it takes a few more slider tweaks than your regular aberrations. But I love the bubbly bokeh and the general rendering, and now, the first walk with the GX9 confirmed that the lens's sharpness is excellent. So it will see more camera time in the future.

In case you've read to this point (and I could understand if you haven't): Wishing you HFF, and a nice weekend!

... Between Old and New

#fencefriday
Lensbaby SOL 22

Here's some Lensbaby fence fun, photographed almost exactly one year ago around the corner with the SOL 22. I think this Lensbaby with its particularly crazy and vivid bokeh works best with "small" scenes like this fence detail. It's also fun to use the SOL 22 as a macro lens (combined with the extension tubes). Here I liked the juxtaposition of old and new, and the fact that the owner of one of the houses across the street had not taken away all of this rusty old fence and had only replaced the front part of it with this somewhat boring green metal fence.

HFF, dear Flickr friends, and have a nice weekend ahead!

#Freitagsbluemchen
#fridayflora
#FenceFriday
#Lensbaby
#SOL22

The yellow Susans around my corner (they are still there!) send you a last summer greeting :) A little late, I know, because autumn has fully taken over by now, but better late than never ;) The front garden the Susans live in belongs to a detached, three-storey heritage house that was built in 1876 / '77. That makes it one of the oldest houses in my district which had been founded in 1874 as an independent community, but soon was overtaken by the enormous growth of Berlin, before it was finally incorporated to Berlin for good in 1920. From the look of it that house has never been renovated in the 144 years of its existence. The old gentleman who owns it says that he's fine with the house the way it is, and that it doesn't need a renovation as long as he still lives. One thing is for sure: Once this house is sold, there'll be a lot of work needed, also to satisfy the very strict requirements of monument protection. And the affordable apartments there will be gone, too.

The faded lettering on the wall says: "Umzüge, Fuhren" which means "removals, carriages". Next to the house is a rather wide access way leading to the backyard, and I assume that there must have been barns for the horses and shelters for the carriages back in the day.

For Freitagsbluemchen, and since there's also a hint of a fence in the photo, it's for Fence Friday as well (I hope a hinted at fence qualifies). Happy Freitagsblümchen, HFF, and Happy Weekend, Everyone :)

Die Fallschirm-Sonnenhüte bei mir um die Ecke (sie stehen noch!) schicken Euch einen letzten Sommergruß. Etwas verspätet, weil der Herbst nun endgültig Einzug gehalten hat, aber besser spät als nie :) Der Vorgarten, in dem die Sonnenhüte jedes Jahr so schön blühen, gehört zu einem der ältesten Häuser meines Ortsteils, es steht auch unter Denkmalschutz. Gebaut wurde das freistehende, dreigeschossige Wohn- und wohl auch ehemalige Geschäftshaus in den Jahren 1876/'77. Die verblasste Schrift an der Fassade, "Umzüge, Fuhren", und auch die breite Zufahrt neben dem Haus deuten darauf hin, dass es dort mal ein Umzugsunternehmen gegeben haben muss. Ich vermute, dass es im Hinterhof Ställe für die Pferde und die Umzugswagen gegeben haben wird. Und wie es aussieht, ist das Haus in den 144 Jahren seines Bestehens nie renoviert worden. Der alte Herr, dem es gehört, sagte mal, dass sich für ihn eine Renovierung nicht mehr lohne. Fest steht jdf., dass eine Renovierung und Wiederherstellung nach den strengen Vorgaben des Denkmalschutzes ziemlich teuer und langwierig werden dürfte. Und die bezahlbaren Wohnungen, die es dort noch gibt, dürften nach der Renovierung auch Geschichte sein.

Ich wünsche Euch ein schönes, entspanntes Wochenende, liebe Flickr-Freunde!

#Freitagsblümchen

When I walked home after a (negative, hooray!) Corona test (which is still mandatory for certain activities such as seeing your hairdresser) yesterday, I spotted some gorgeous red and pink poppies in a small front garden. And of course I had to take a few photos :) I know that the compositon isn't perfect here, as the poppy's seed head sits almost exactly in the center of the frame (and also slightly to far up). I applied a few different rule of thirds crops, but didn't like any, because there are some small details that I thought were "keep-worthy", such as the soft curve of the petal in the lower right corner, the frilly edge of the petal in the upper left corner, and even the small green spot in the lower left corner which – together with the corresponding green in the aformentioned upper left corner – helps to open the image (well, I think it does). So lots of corner stuff going on here that I think is important for the overall image effect, even though, of course, the main focus is on the seed head ;)

Processed mainly in DXO. Apart from the "usual suspects" such as sharpening, enhancing micro contrast, and DeepPrime denoising, I also applied a split toning effect (sepia and gold) which enhances the tones of the pollen – almost turning it into gold dust – and also adds a pleasant warmth the pink of the petals.

Have a nice and safe weekend ahead, dear Flickr friends!

Als ich gestern von einem für den Friseurbesuch erforderlichen Corona-Test (negativ, hurra!) nach Hause ging, entdeckte ich in einem kleinen Vorgarten wunderschöne rote und rosafarbene Mohnblumen. Da musste ich natürlich ein paar Fotos machen :) Mir ist klar, dass der Bildschnitt hier nicht perfekt ist, denn die Samenkapsel sitzt fast genau in der Mitte des Bildes und ist auch leicht nach oben gerückt. Ich habe auch verschiedene Bildschnitte nach der Drittel-Regel ausprobiert, aber immer fehlte mir in den Ecken dann ein Detail, das ich nicht missen wollte. Selbst die kleine grüne Ecke unten links fand ich behaltenswert, weil sie, zusammen mit dem leicht gerüscht wirkenden Blütenrand oben links dazu beiträgt, das Bild zu öffnen. Auch die weiche Kurve unten rechts, dort, wo die zwei Blütenblätter sich überlappen, fand ich zu schön, um sie wegzuschneiden. Also habe ich beschlossen, das Bild so zu lassen, wie ich es aufgenommen hatte, guter Bildschnitt hin oder her.

Entwickelt wie immer zuerst in DXO (Objektivschärfe, Entrauschen mit DeepPrime und Mikrokontrast). Dieses Mal habe ich in DXO auch mal einen Split-Toning-Effekt (Sepia und Gold) ausprobiert, der, wie ich finde, den Blütenstaub schön betont (sieht jetzt fast wie Goldstaub aus – hoffentlich liest das Rumpelstilzchen hier nicht mit) und dem Rosa der Blüte eine angenehme Wärme verleiht.

Ich wünsche Euch ein schönes Wochende, liebe Flickr-Freunde!

Frohe Weihnachten! * Joyeux Noël! * Prettig kerstfeest! * Buon Natale! * Crăciun fericit! * Feliz Natal! * Wesołych Świąt * ¡Feliz Navidad! * God jul! * Hyvää joulua!

This vintage pram stands outside of a tiny, tiny pastry shop around my corner. It's so tiny that there are only a few tables in the room next to the salesroom; in the summertime, the public room is turned into an ice cream parlour, while the tables and chairs are moved onto the small street corner in front of the pastry shop. But one thing never changes throughout the seasons: Each Sunday afternoon, a long queue forms up outside of the shop. Frau Behrens Torten (Mrs. Behren's Cakes) is even opened now, during the second lockdown, because cakes are obvioulsly considered to be proper staple food and therefore stores selling cakes are exempted from the lockdown. I'd really like to invite you all to a piece of one of the delicious Frau Behren's cakes (my favourites are French lemon tart and mango yoghurt mousse cake, but there's something for everyone, they also have vegan cakes) :) Since I can't do that (unless we'll meet in Berlin one day), there's only one thing left to say: I wish you Happy Holidays, dear Flickr friends! Make the best of this unusual Christmas, and let's hope for a better 2021. I want to thank you for another wonderful year on Flickr, for your friendship and your inspiration (which was even more important in this scary, sad, strange year). Here's a virtual hug for you :) Stay safe and healthy, and take care!!!

Dieser betagte Kinderwagen steht vor einer winzigen Konditorei, Frau Beherens Torten, bei mir um die Ecke. Der Laden ist so winzig, dass es im Gastraum nur wenige, kleine Tische gibt, die im Sommer einer Eisdiele weichen und dann (in größerer Zahl) vor dem Geschäft aufgestellt werden. Eines bleibt aber durch alle Jahreszeiten hindurch gleich: Jeden Sonntag-Nachmittag bildet sich eine lange Schlange vor dem Geschäft und wenn man zu spät kommt, kann es gut sein, dass der Lieblingskuchen (in meinem Falle Französische Zitronentarte und Mango-[oder Maracuja-]Joghurt-Torte) bereits weg ist ;) Da Kuchen und Torten offenbar als richtige Lebensmittel angesehen werden, hat der Laden auch jetzt, während des zweiten Lockdowns, geöffnet. Gerne würde ich Euch zu einem Stück Torte oder Kuchen von Frau Behrens einladen (es ist für jeden etwas dabei, es gibt im Sortiment auch vegane Leckereien), aber da das nicht geht – es sei denn, wir treffen uns mal in Berlin – bleibt mir nur noch eines, nämlich Euch ein trotz allem frohes Weihnachtsfest zu wünschen. Macht das Beste daraus, vor allem aber passt weiter gut auf Euch auf und bleibt gesund – auf das 2021 ein besseres Jahr werden möge :)

Unfolding enveloping missiles of soul... Recall senses sadly... Mirage like soft blue like lanterns below... To light the way gladly...

STRG/CTRL+ www.youtube.com/watch?v=suyJsJHVoGY

#smileonsaturday
#sliderssunday

Taken last night for the Smile on Saturday theme "Flora in Monotone". This resilient little flower still blooms on my balcony, even though it's almost December and it's also getting colder now, with night temperatures approaching 0 °C, and day temperatures not much higher. About two weeks ago, when I actually wanted to photograph a colourful sunset from my balcony, I noticed that the illuminated windows in the house across the street would make a very interesting-looking bokeh background for the yellow flower. Since then I've taken numerous images of this humble little beauty (and her sister), handheld and at higher ISO first (and all of them blurry), then with a tripod crammed in between the balcony table (well, yes, I could move it away) and the balcony parapet, still a fairly shaky affair (and last night it had also been windy); I'd taken the first images with the Lumix LX100, then the next ones with my Oly (with different lenses – this most recent image was taken with the obvious choice, the 60mm macro lens), and I will also still try to get a few nice shots with the Ricoh. When you can't get out to shoot, you've got to find something around your home to fulfill the photoghraphic yearning ;) So you'll see more of this balcony beauty in the future.

Processed in DXO PhotoLab 4, where I've also applied two film simulations from the DXO FilmPack, first the Fuji Reala 100, then the DXO Cross Processed simulation of a Fuji Superior 200 film, because the latter adds a beautiful turquoise-and-hints-of-blue monotone look to any image. I've then further tweaked a few settings in Viveza (Brightness at +7, Contrast at -3) and in Color Efex (preset "Foliage Bump"), and finally, in ON1, added a Glow filter ("Diffuse Glow") and an HDR filter ("Subtle").

Btw could somebody help me with the ID? I'm guessing buttercup, but I'm not quite sure; it's a very sturdy flower with yellow blossoms and lots of herbaceous (you could also call it "weedy") looking green leaves. Thank you :)

HSoS and HSS Everyone, keep smiling, stay safe, and take care!

Für das HSoS-Thema "Flora in Monotone". Gestern Abend auf meinem Balkon fotografiert. Das robuste (eigentlich gelbe) Blümchen hält sich auch bei nun dem Nullpunkt entgegensinkenden Temperaturen und einem unangenehmen Wind tapfer (und könnte mir evtl. jemand bei der Bestimmung aushelfen? Wie gesagt, das Blümchen ist gelb und hat viele, recht [un-]krautig aussehende grüne Blätter; ich tippe auf Hahnenfuß, bin mir aber nicht sicher; Danke schon einmal!).

Seit zwei Wochen fotografiere ich diese unscheinbare Balkonschönheit und auch seine ebenso hübsche Schwester immer mal wieder zur blauen Stunde (und gestern Abend war es sogar bereits dunkel). Eigentlich hatte ich seinerzeit bloß einen besonders schönen Sonnenuntergang vom Balkon fotografiert, bei der Gelegenheit aber entdeckt, dass die erleuchteten Fenster im Haus gegenüber einen schönen Bokeh-Hintergrund für's Blümchen abgeben könnten.

Die ersten Fotos entstanden aus der Hand und bei höherem ISO (alle verwackelt), jetzt nehme ich immer das Stativ, was aber trotzdem eine wackelige Angelegenheit ist, weil ich es immer zwischen Balkonbrüstung und Balkontisch quetschen muss (und ja, den Tisch könnte man auch wegschieben), aber ich habe jetzt schon einige recht hübsche Bilder dieser bescheidenen Balkonschönheit gemacht, mal mit der Lumix LX100, dann mit der Oly und verschiedenen Objektiven (dieses Bild habe ich mit der naheliegenden Objektivwahl, dem 60mm Makro, gemacht - nicht 100%ig scharf, es war gestern ziemlich windig), demnächst versuche ich es auch mal mit der Ricoh. Wenn man schon nur selten zu Fotospaziergängen raus kann, muss man sich seine Motive eben in der Nähe suchen und mit unterschiedlichem fotografischen Werkzeug für die nötige Abwechlsung sorgen ;)

Entwickelt in DXO PhotoLab 4. Nach regulären Entwicklungsanpassungen wie ClearView, Smart Lightning, Objektivschärfe und anschließendem Entrauschen in DeepPrime habe ich noch zwei Presets aus dem DXO FilmPack angewendet, zuerst eine Fuji-Reala-100-Simulation, dann eine "DXO Cross entwickelter Film" Simulation eines Fuji Superia 200, der jedes Bild in sehr angenehmes Türkis-Blau taucht. Anschließend noch kleine Anpassungen in Viveza (Helligkeit +7, Kontrast -3) und Color Efex (Preset "Foliage Bump"), dann noch etwas Leuchten ("Diffuse") und dezentes ("Subtle") HDR in ON1.

Habt ein schönes WE, liebe Flickr-Freunde, und passt gut auf Euch auf!

The floors are suspended with steel cables to the concrete construction on the roof. Apparently, this was the first such suspended structure in Europe.

Originally called the BP building, after British Petroleum - built in between 1960-1963.

Architects Léon Stynen, Paul De Meyer & J.Reusens

Berlin Kreuzberg
Februar 2006

Berlin Kreuzberg
Spree
Februar 2006

It snowed when i woke up this morning
Berlin Kreuzberg
Februar 2006