CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-21 07:44:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Poor they might be...
....but most are happy in their own way.

The guy at the clothes stand took up the opportunity for some free advertisement ;-)

#kuwait   #fahaheel   #people   #streetphotography  

2013-05-21 06:23:25 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

6 Things to Love About The New Google+ Photos

There are a lot of features to discover in the new Google+!  Here are some of my favorite updates to Photos you might not have found yet.

1. Highlights view. The new photos landing page is called Highlights and it's your photo timeline -- showing you not only your best photos, but the best photos your friends have shared with you.

2. Trash view. Now when you delete photos, they go to the trash for 60 days. When you visit your trash, you can choose to restore photos (for those "oops" moments) or delete them permanently.

3. Photos search. When you do a search from the photos page, we'll search all your uploaded photos. It's pretty smart too -- we've brought all the awesomeness of Google search to your photo collection.

4. New organize mode. We have... more »

2013-05-21 05:43:45 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

ooookkkkkk,.....
so after +Dennis Freeland mentioned flickr yesterday, this morning I saw it trending here on G+.
Since I am a curious cat, I went to check it out.
They are offering 1TB of free space for new and existing users.
WTH?!
I went to check it out.
Of course it took me forever to remember password and username,
but what really struck me as odd is, that you now can sign into your yahoo account (you need one to get a flickr account, haha) with your Google account.
That's right.
Am I seeing things?
I think, it's already bad enough that FB gets auto access to your Google contacts, but why not handing everything over to the whole world?
Wonder how many folks just sign up to connect it all AND use their main email addy.
shudder

Anyhow, I DO like the idea of having 1TB over there.
Maybe I will actually post theoc... more »

2013-05-20 06:06:43 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Update: Halfway solved
I just signed out and went on a search to see my profile.
Could see the posts just fine.
It's just a glitch then in the account / preview whatever thingy.

Thanks, folks!

Issues - help please
I have (had) my stream set on showing everything public, my posts are usually public and what I am getting now is this view when I look at my Profile & Stream as someone not in my circles.
Anyone else?

2013-05-20 05:48:30 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Flying low

Until this new Layout has sorted it's kinks out, I'll be flying low.
It's slow and slightly annoying.
(Edit #2: Did you check your G+ Settings lately?
You should. The photo section has changed and stuff is now set on 'auto-enhance' and whatnot. There's also a limitation on full seize uploads, for the ones that do that. Better check)
(Edit: I totally freakin' hate stuff sliding in my way when I try to read something, jee, folks... and WHY the fuck does it have to look like Facebook?!)

I'll be finally doing some work in my online shop, on my pages and in my archives.
Most likely I'll pop in, but not for long.
This just sucks up way too much time, as slow as it is :/

See you on the bright side!

2013-05-11 04:46:14 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

Under the Radar

I will be gone for a short while, hopping around a wee bit and hopefully be back in a week or two, maybe earlier.

You all behave out there! Miss you all!

#Hungary  2006

2013-05-09 15:40:57 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

I just posted my final post for the +G+ Mentorship Program for Photographers 
(The 6 photos I submitted for the series are before and after this one in the album - aehm, or not, well, here's the album _sigh:
http://goo.gl/xEYXq )_
Here's what I wrote, am not overly brainy or wordy tonight:
__________________________

Mission 6 - Final Plus post

 I had this idea in my head for the final post.
It had to be about my Life and daily sights here and about the people I see every day.

I call the set Peoples

If I were a bit braver, I would have asked these folks for proper photos. There are so many fascinating people around.
But as it is, it's not really feasible.

The photos were all taken in time of the course and here in Kuwait in my neighbourhood.
They show a bit of the Life of the Peoplesm... more »

2013-05-08 06:37:25 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

Doctors orders

Doctors orders for our last Mentorship assignment were to go out and play.
Not necessarily photography wise, but have fun, nourish the inner child.

Exactly that was an issue for me these past few weeks. I don't know why. There were days when it worked, but mostly I just didn't feel like it.
Maybe because people here are not used to smiling foreigners with cameras in their hands. Crazy folks, those smiling people, you know.

Anyway, this morning after replying to Ron that things are still on the funky side I asked myself 'WtF'?! Yes, those words, booh on me ;-)
I grabbed the camera, said byebye to the irritated pooches and went out.
Only half an hour, but well worth it.
My mood is considerably better ;-)

Anyhow, this is what I came up with today.

Not my final post yet, even though I amlat... more »

2013-05-04 04:23:15 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

My hazard Top is finally finished. I was hoping to finish it last night, but no such luck.
Of course I cannot change the order of the pics on ravelry while on the mobile. I just wanna share, before I forget.
Thank you all for motivating me while I had the twist in there :-)
I am glad I went on and finished it.
will do this again with nicer (aka mon acrylic yarn) one day, love the pattern.
All mistakes are solely mine (I can't follow instructions too well).
more notes are on the Rav page :-)
Have a great weekend all!

#knitting #stricken #handmade #handarbeit

2013-04-29 03:30:38 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Frustration has a name

Jumped over my shadow and took my lazy butt to the beach, due to gorgeous clouds and sunrise.
But my camera decided to be lazy this time and give me an error message instead (had it before, it's. somewhere in my manual,...)

Right now I feel like throwing a tantrum.

The beach looks like,... well, look at the video, if I get it uploaded (did I mention that my Internet connection sucks too?)

Maybe coffee will help.
Hope your week starts better!

#kuwait #weather #beach #trash #environment

2013-04-25 15:18:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Who wants some photography motivation.  Handing out assignments today.  Sign up below if you want in.  I will create an assignment for each person which will give them a specific shooting topic. 

Fair warning...I am not easy.  Check out some examples by searching with the hash tag below. 

#assignmentforjake  

2013-04-24 16:30:36 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 13 +1s)

Hey G+,

What an overwhelming response we have had over at +camera Trade. The first couple of weeks live has seen around 200 registered users. Thanks to everyone who has signed up, and for those who have posted ads good luck with the sale.

Looking to sell your unwanted camera gear for FREE check out the link below.. Giu

2013-04-24 06:31:44 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

cameraTrade Focus: Nicole Burgoz
In this Focus article, cameraTrade takes a look at German born photographer +Nicole Burgoz who talks to us about the challenges and intrigue with her photography in a culture where gender and religion can construct difficult barriers.

+Nicole Burgoz www.cameratrade.com.au

2013-04-24 03:03:19 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

I see thee coming!

When you look at the sky and see this, plus feel like somebody just dumped a sack of flour on your head and shoulders, chances are high that you are in for dust.
If the weatherforecast tells you it will be cloudy, be prepared.
The really nice thing?
It says it will be cloudy all week,...
Well, there's always hope that they and I are very wrong, right?!

#weather #kuwait

2013-04-23 05:33:57 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Tank Top

Finally finished, it will turn into a Give-away though.
I'll have to make it bigger after all, sigh ;-)
(Used Acrylic yarn from Alize (Diva), super soft, but I should have made the whole thing longer).
It was a fun knit though and I will do it again (with some adjustments to the original pattern)

#handmade   #knitting  

2013-04-22 03:54:17 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 27 +1s)

Postcards from Egypt

I met this young man near a quiet birding site near our compound (the old abandoned sewers in Hadaba).
They sometimes seemed to camp overnight in some abandoned (Bedouin?) buildings nearby and let the camels roam.
__________________

PS: HaveI ever mentioned that I hate dust? Especially the fine one you can't see and you just wonder why your nose gets stuffed, you feel like shit and your house in the morning looks like a disaster area?
Right.
Cleaned the house first round before my first coffee.
Yuck!
Include dog hairs from an exploded Labrador that look like we have a rugged carpet to the mix and that's what makes every housewife happy, right?!

Anyhow,.... wishing you all a great weak with hopefully nice weather!


Sharm el Sheikh, South #sinai  , 2010

#egypt   #camels  #Bed... more »

2013-04-21 08:44:26 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Friends, I missed thee

#trees #nature #germany #kempenich #eifel

2013-04-21 08:12:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Just to show what I meant in my previous post about #birding  in #egypt  and the backdrop of the mountains.
:-)

Sharm el Sheikh, South #Sinai 2010
#Sinai  

2013-04-21 06:45:19 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

2013-04-21 05:47:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Are you like me and wished there was away to keep your favorite posts on G+ in a easy to access spot.  Yeah I know the create a circle, or create a private community to send your favorite posts to, but today I found this. 

Favorite Posts For G+

Just install the Chrome Extension linked below and it will add a favorite tab in the grey bar to the left of your feed.  Then click on the star icon near the +1 button at the bottom of a post. It will be saved in the favorites folder to the left of the screen.

G+ and Chrome just got a little better for me. 

2013-04-21 05:10:33 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Vastness

I always liked looking at the mountains. They are bare rocks, but yet so beautiful.
I do miss my #birding  trips around the area.
Easy access to all sites.
Not always legal, but when caught you could talk your way out. 
:-)

Sharm pools, Sharm el Sheikh, South #Sinai, #Egypt 2010

#photography   #landscape   #mountains   #southsinai  

2013-04-20 08:34:41 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 26 +1s)

Tell me your story



Ruins near Hadaba, Sharm el Sheikh port, #Egyp  2010




#sinai   #southsinai   #ruins   #abandoned   #decay  
#landscape   #photography  

2013-04-20 04:29:07 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Stay out or in?



Hadaba, Sharm el Sheihk, South Sinai 2010

#Egypt   #sinai   #beach   #fence   #wire   #landscape   #photography  

2013-04-19 18:13:17 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Memories

Last one for tonight :-)
I think.
Did I mention lately that my archives are way too big & that 80% of the photos have never been edited / posted,... sigh :-)

Hadaba harbour, Sharm el Sheikh #Egypt  South Sinai 2010
#sinai   #landscape   #photography  

2013-04-19 15:59:08 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Watching the world go by




#Egypt  2010 #Nabq   #southsinai   #sinai   #beach   #ocean   #landscape   #photography  

2013-04-19 03:46:53 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

My first Fine Art Photography show is coming up in a week. I am very curious about what it feels like to see my images on the wall.

2013-04-19 15:59:08 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Hello Sir

Just gotta post this fun moment, also from my #Egypt  archives 2010.

I was trying to catch the Tern preening in the back when I saw this guy approaching and adjusted my frame a bit ;-)

Now, I'm off to our beach and see if I can catch some culture :-)

#sinai   #people   #beach   #photography  

2013-04-19 15:59:08 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Greetings from Egypt

Just walking through my archives, not deleting as much as I should ;-)
Wishing you all a great weekend!

#Egypt  2010 #Nabq   #beach   #landscape   #photography  

2013-04-18 16:00:12 (16 comments, 3 reshares, 10 +1s)

Challenge for you!

+Jake Johnson 's Friday assignment gave me an idea (I hope you don't mind, Jake!).

How about YOU all show me one photo that sums up what makes your town or the area you live in special and unique, or which sums up what Life is about there.
I will do the same (yes, of course I have an idea in mind ;-), just have to translate it into a photo).

So, who's in?
 Just leave a comment and say you join the fun and when you put up your post, tag it with #challengefromnic  and leave a link here.
You have until next Friday to show me your specials :-)

#challenge   #photography  

___________

The photo below is from 2007. I took it during a taxi ride when I first got here.
I was looking for a place (I don't remember which one and I haven't found it until today) andwe h... more »

2013-04-18 14:55:59 (29 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Expat culture

Here I am, thinking it is a cool idea to take up +Jake Johnson 's weekly challenge for a short photo assignment.
He asked me to take a 'cultural street photograph from wherever I am at the moment'.
Well, I am in Kuwait. Getting photos of Kuwaiti culture isn't easy to come by. You would have to go to the few heritage sites that are left in the city center.

BUT, he did say from wherever I am, right?
I am in Mangaf, that's down further in the South of Kuwait.
A place where some years ago, Kuwaitis didn't set foot in and didn't even visit their relatives when they were fallen from Grace and had to move here for financial reasons or other.
It's the Corner where most Expats live, at least lower labor workers (correct me, if I'm wrong, which you folks will do, I'm sure).

There for sure are more... more »

2013-04-18 05:40:56 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

The Beauty and the Beast

Mother Nature and I wept some tears this morning.
The beach has been the worst since I got here. Trash upon trash and heaps of algae (whatever that's supposed to mean).

The weather is hazy, but at least it was cool.
The dogs had fun :-)
King shed so much fur these past two weeks, he was clean and dry by the time we reached the house. Now, that's nice for a change (he usually stays wet till evening).

The guy in the second last photo is the one I talked about on yesterday's post. He was there again today.
The man in the other photo seemed to be praying. I don't know if it's Indian custom to pray at the water? One morning I let a woman pass in front of me, going down to the waters edge for some rinsing with water and praying.

I silently apologized to Mother Nature for not cleaning up the beach,... more »

2013-04-18 03:52:36 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Submit your macro, and maybe win a lens! I'm judging this one.

2013-04-17 05:34:42 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Talk about a perfect morning for the 10 stop filter.

Today I witnessed the most foggy day on the cost I have ever seen. It was so foggy that when it reached shore I could feel the mist hitting my face. It was something to see to say the least.

This spot use to be where a casino once was. After Katrina the casino was found half a city block off its foundation. When they rebuilt it they did it where the building landed.

2013-04-17 02:57:08 (34 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Luck

This morning I had a reminder of how lucky I am.
If I am hungry, I open up the fridge for example.

The man I saw this morning, not so lucky.
I saw him walking along the beach, stopping at a plastic bag with Trash and Leftovers from someone's midnight picnic. He turned if upside down and I got mad for a second for all that trash spilling on the beach.
I thought he was digging for empty soda cans. They get cash for those.
Nope.
This guy was digging for food.

We should never forget that things always could be worse.

___________

Photo below is an archive shot from 2012

#kuwait #beach #people

2013-04-16 12:43:57 (11 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Iran an hour ago.

2013-04-15 15:08:14 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

Never alone


#kuwait   #beach   #people   #photography  

2013-04-15 06:55:46 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

"No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit"
Ansel Adams

Been out for an hour, it's only 30C and I feel like someone locked me into a Sauna for too long.
I need to toughen up before summer comes along!

This one's from last week, edited and a preset added in LR.
+Ron Clifford , I think this is what  you meant without the reflection, right?
At least I WAS smart enough to try both last Thursday :-)

#photography   #seascape   #beach   #kuwait   #fahaheel   

2013-04-14 07:33:52 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

The man and the camel

This guy from Sudan was chitchatting with me in Arabic the moment he came around the corner. I think this might have been the only second he kept his mouth shut ;-)
He offered me a camel ride and many other things, I blissfully didn't understand.
I can't imagine the Life these guys live here. The temperatures are still moderate right now, but I can't even fathom 50C out here.
A few seem to have trailers, but most don't.
And all that for 30 or 40KD per month, most of that being sent home to their families.
Still a better Life than starving at home for most.

PS: This is the last one from the camel market. Ain't you glad?!
;-)


#camels   #market   #Kuwait   #people   #photography  

2013-04-14 07:20:09 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 23 +1s)

We are family....

#camels   #market   #Kuwait  

2013-04-14 07:00:40 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

How to make a camel sit

By the time we got here, the dust was sitting in the air like a yellow cotton ball.
Not suffocating, but there.
I figured to take photos anyway, since I don't know if I ever get back here to see things like this.

The camelherders were getting the camel ready for transport  when it managed to slip their grasp and do a short galloping around, one foot already hobbled.
They soon got her, bound the second foot and tried to make her sit, so the car with the crane could come and transport her to her next destination.

Either the slaughterhouse or a new owner.

#camels   #kuwait   #market  

2013-04-14 06:43:05 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

For anyone interested.

I find it a wee bit sad that so many big name contests ask for an entry fee now.
But heck, that's how the world roles, I guess.

#photography   #contest   #nationalgeographic   #nationalgeographicphotocontest  

2013-04-13 17:19:56 (10 comments, 2 reshares, 24 +1s)

Can I eat dat?!


Last one for tonight, promise ;-)

#notacat   #camel   #kuwait   #animals   #market   #photography  

2013-04-13 17:13:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Innocence

#camels   #kuwait   #animals   #photography  
#notacat  

2013-04-13 16:56:10 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Tender Love

Hope you are ready for some more camels to come?

#notacat  
#camels   #kuwait   #animals   #photography  

2013-04-13 12:52:46 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Say that again

Yeah, that's how I feel right now.
Happy, but pooped and kind of 'huh?!'

We had a nice 'girls' morning out. My friend Linda was kind enough to drive us around Kuwait. And I mean around. We saw the Camel market (never been there), the Flamingos, the place where they used to build the Dhows (fishing boats - never been there), the oldest mosque in Kuwait (been there, but didn't know), some of the few very old, traditional buildings left in Kuwait (need to go back!) and loads more, including a lot of information.

I am grateful for this day and a very happy camper :-)

Now, who's gonna edit those photos and puts up my assignment?
;-)

#notacat  
#camels   #kuwait   #animals   #photography  

2013-04-13 03:09:11 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 25 +1s)

Ignore the Rest

If you shut your ears and avert your eyes,
you get peace and quiet

#kuwait   #beach   #fahaheel   #alkout   #landscape   #photography  

2013-04-12 05:17:22 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

Paint me bright



"To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage"
Georgia O'Keeffe 




#kuwait   #landscape   #beach   #Fahaheel   #sunrise   #photography  

2013-04-12 04:26:43 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Hazy Glory

The beach photos I am posting are from my walk yesterday morning.
I needed to get out and I needed to take photos for my assignment (for the Mentorship program).
We have a two part assignment this time. One for spontaneous photos and one for planned.
These will be the ones for my spontaneous part.
They are not as crisp, tack sharp or whatever I wanted them to be. The weather isn't playing along.
I thought it was yesterday, but looking at the photos at home, it's grain galore.
I'll make up for it.
One day ;-)

#kuwait   #sunrise   #beach   #fahaheel  

2013-04-12 03:00:55 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

#kuwait   #fahaheel   #beach   #people  

2013-04-11 06:47:52 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Room with a view
Chocolates and juice,....

#Kuwait   #beach   #trash