Tascam DR-40 In Santa's Bag

Having received Santa's approval, I walked into B&H the other day (by the way, it was packed...as in really crowded. The line for the cash payment option at the cashiers almost extended to its front door!) to explore my options for an upgrade in my field recorder.

I currently use the Marantz PMD620 which I've had for a couple of years. It has served me well, but has begun to show its age (or rather its use). The only issue I've had with it is its small screen, and when I need to change settings whilst in the field, I find difficult especially if my hands are slippery with sweat (as in Kolkata, for example).

Oh, all right...I admit it. The PMD620 is really perfectly fine but I wanted a Xmas gift. End of story.

So after deliberations, I sprang for the Tascam DR-40 Field Recorder, which features built-in condenser microphones that are adjustable depending what the sound source is. Ambient would require the microphones to be wide apart, while an interview from one source would benefit from the mics to be adjusted closer together.

The B&H sales guy suggested I also bought the power supply (it only comes with a mini USB cable and a 2gb SD card) but since I'll be using it outdoors, I wasn't interested. It's much cheaper than the Marantz PMD620, but is also larger. As I can't open the box until Xmas, I can't compare them side by side. I held the Tascam at B&H, and it's a handful...which is what I wanted. The Marantz felt a little flimsy. I suspect the sound quality won't differ much, despite the directional microphones...but I'll soon find out. I will still use the Marantz when I need to be discreet whilst recording...pretending that it's a iPod or something.

Incidentally, Tascam is a division of TEAC Corporation which, as most audiophiles know, is a huge name in the audio world. I recall having a TEAC high-end cassette recorder, along with a heavy-duty TEAC amplifier some years ago.

Paolo Patrizi: Ha Noi

Photo © Paolo Patrizi-All Rights Reserved

"a relic of the many lives of a magical city, steeped in beauty and seductive charm."

And that's part of Paolo Patrizi's statement opening his gallery of Ha Noi which is a mix of very attractive street and documentary photography. From the Ha Noi gallery, I especially liked the photograph above...the colors, and the blur of the nón lá hat; this can be nowhere else but Viet Nam.

I met Paolo Patrizi briefly at the Delhi Photo Festival, and subsequently in November during the Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap. He's a documentary photographer, currently living in Japan. He started his career in London working as an assistant to other photographers, and having done freelance assignments for British magazines and design groups, he started to develop individual projects of his own.

Paolo's work is featured in leading publications and is exhibited internationally. His photos have won several awards with the Association of Photographers of London, The John Kobal Portrait Award, The Lens Culture International Exposure Awards, The World Press Photo, The Sony World Photography Awards, The Anthropographia Award for Human Rights, The Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize. His photographs are part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. His work appeared in the Observer Magazine, Stern, Panorama, Corriere della Sera, GQ, Courrier Japon, Geo, XL Semanal, Przekroj, K-magazine, Handelsblatt, European Photography, Kaze no Tabibito, Vanity Fair, Sunday Times Magazine.

Pete Muller: TIME's Best Wires' Photographer

Photo © Pete Muller-All Rights Reserved

It's no surprise to me that the editors of TIME magazine have chosen Pete Muller as the best photographer on the "wires".

Why do I say that? Well, let's go back to my post of Wednesday, 18 May 2011 in which I described his photography as terrific and excellent....and reminiscent of Jehad Nga's chiaroscuro style.

TIME magazine tells us that of the millions of photographs being sent through the news services (“the wires”) in 2011, the work of Associated Press freelancer Pete Muller, 29, stood out. It continues to say " His exceptional photographs—focused on Africa and particularly Sudan—take an individual approach to storytelling, one that combines a distinctive aesthetic with journalistic integrity."

Other wire photographers who were recognized by TIME are Finbarr O’Reilly,  Kevin Frayer,  David Guttenfelder’s, and Rodrigo Abd, as well as John Moore.

Club Faru Maldives beach resort

Club Faru Maldives beach resort hotel is additionally referred to as Clubmed Farukolhufushi. This island hotel is found north of Male’ Island within the Maldives kaafu atoll. Club Faru may be a 100 percent Maldivian expertise and tropical straightforward vogue beach resort island. Club Faru started as a resort in 1978 and was formerly referred to as Club Med and is several guests Maldives home.Club Faru is an ‘All Inclusive’ resort with caring employees that warmly treats you as family. All rooms are simply a couple of meters aloof from the white sandy beach and have the beautiful read of the crystal clear turquoise-coloured waters. The island is totally lined with lush tropical inexperienced vegetation and sheltered with many coconut palm trees.

Club Faru Maldives hotel may be a 3 star and resort island within the North Male atoll, shut proximity to the International Airport and Capital Male and also the transfer time by speed boat is barely concerning seven minutes.

Location:                                    North Male’ Atoll

Distance from Airport:              2 Kilometers

Number of Rooms:                    152 rooms

Transport:                                  15 minutes by Speedboat

Even though you will not wish to depart your sun chairs Club Faru features a heap of activities to expertise within the rare case that you just may feel the necessity to try and do one thing diving, swimming within the pool, surfing, sailing, cat-sailing, kayaking and additional. The island conjointly offers badminton, Beach volleyball, a large heap of attention-grabbing excursions, as an example a visit of the worlds smallest capital Male, a spherical flight by Maldivian air taxi, and so on.

Club Faru Maldives hotel is an All Inclusive resort with caring employees that warmly treats you as family. The Island is approximately 1200 meters in length and measures 450 meters because the widest purpose and is totally lined with lush tropical inexperienced vegetation and sheltered with many coconut palm trees.

Accommodation:

Club Faru offers 152 guest rooms in 2 storey blocks designed and laid out to mix with the natural fantastic thing about the island. All rooms are simply a couple of meters aloof from the white sandy beach and have the beautiful read of the crystal clear waters. The rooms are quite spacious and equipped with phonephone, air con, double or twin beds, ceiling fan, room safe, hair dryer, hot and cold water and a personal terrace or balcony.The resort farukolhu island Maldives is ideal to stretch out and take in the sun on the beach or laze round the outside contemporary water swimming pool.

The Vilu Bar: Overlooking the ocean and also the swimming pool is that the excellent setting for cocktails because the sun goes down.

The Haruge Restaurant: straightforward however elegant outside restaurant serving international and native buffet vogue menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Dhonveli Cafe: are going to be serving specialty menu of salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, pizzas and an array of sunshine meals throughout the day.

The Thundi Bar: may be a great spot to relax out when dinner and revel in some music based mostly entertainment to land up a typical relaxed day on the island.

Along its own stretch of white sand, this exclusive island retreat provides simply the proper mixture of relaxation and low-key entertainment, making a very fantastic vacation setting. excellent for those probing for a tropical escape, there also are opportunities for diving and snorkeling.

Amenities and Facilities

Resort Facilities and Amenities are Swimming pool, Sun beds, Towels provided, Shower space, Buffet restaurant serving European & native cuisine, a pair of Lounge bars as well as a Cocktail bar &, Tropical bar serving snacks, Gift shop, Reception (24 hour), web facilities, Catamaran sailing, Scuba diving,  Waterskiing, non-public speedboat taxis, Table tennis,  Pool table, Volleyball, Table soccer, Football, Badminton, Spa centre, Massage, Pedicure, TV/games space, Occasional Live music, Weekly Disco, Weekly Karaoke, Guided Excursions Island hopping, Night fishingLocal Village excursions.