Flamenco

I recently accompanied a colleague to a photocall for a new Flamenco dance show. The main reason I went was that it was Friday afternoon, and there's a really cool bar near Sadlers Wells. But it's not often I get the chance to 'play' at jobs, with no repercussions if I cock it all up - so I thought 'why not?'. Here's the result.

Berlinale

I've just returned from the 57th Berlinale Film Festival, which was the best one in the last 5 years. Highlights included J-Lo, Bobby De Niro, Sharon Stone, Cate Blanchett and Antonio Banderas.

I had some trouble getting my camera gear onto the flight as hand-luggage on the way out, as bag allowances have been reduced. After much protesting, and filling my jacket pockets with lenses, they let me on.
So, while in Berlin, I bought a photographers vest, in order to wear as much of my gear on me for the return journey, and not have the same problem again.
The vest worked a treat.
But, the combination of alarm clock, laptop cables and a bag of jelly sweets in my hand luggage looked EXACTLY like page one of the bomb-makers handbook when it went through the X-ray machine - causing a security lock-down involving sniffer digs and men with guns, but thankfully no rubber gloves! Oops.

Inja

We went to India for a month, over Christmas. Work's fairly dead, so it's a good time to run away.
I didn't take any 'proper' cameras, just a digital compact - but wherever you look there's a photo opportunity.
On the one hand, I sometimes wished I had all my lenses etc to take the best possible picture I could - but on the other hand it wouldn't be a holiday if I did. If I had all my kit, I'd be sitting in one spot waiting for that perfect moment to happen. I'd enjoy it, but it might not be much fun for the rest of the family.