Grist For the Mill

" Grist for the mill " is an expression that I've been using for years without actually understanding what grist is...Apparently it's just corn that is ground to make flour. I suspect that the English definition of corn is applied here - meaning any grain...not just maize. The reason I bring it up is the fact that nearly every day something occurs that can be used in the wheels of this photographic column - Valentine's Day 2018 was no exception. I was out testing the Sony DSC-HX400V camera - it's a good quality super-zoom designed for the tourist market. I decided to be that tourist and go up to the top of Wireless Hill where there is a commemorative park. Like another chap who was flying a drone, I climbed to the top of an observation platform to see the panorama. The Sony has one of those automatic settings that lets you swivel 120º and catches a long,thin sliver of the world. Here's Perth from Wireless Hill: It's sort of spectacular in a distant way, and fortunately the Sony has a long stabilised lens that lets you pick the details out of this sort of thing. I would imagine there are other landscapes that would reward a panorama shot better, but they don't keep them close to my house. Anyway, as I was panning and the other fellow was droning, a young chap crossed the park and climbed the stairs of the tower. After chatting with the pilot, he very carefully and politely announced to both of us that as it was Valentine's Day he did not give his permission for us to use his picture or that of the young lady he was with for any purpose. A bit taken aback, the pilot explained that none of his footage showed anyone, and I explained that my camera test did not involve any people pictures at all. That seemed to satisfy him. Mind you, I did take a picture of a bird... On the spur of the moment I fished out one of my studio cards and gave it to him - saying that if ever he and his sweetheart wanted pictures taken with hot rods or custom cars, my studio was the answer. The card also has my weblog column addresses so I might get a new reader... It seemed a little bizarre, but it was all very polite and no harm done. It does suggest that if you're going to be out doing any street ( or tower ) photography it might be as well to make sure you have a number of items in your bag: a. A driver's licence in case someone wants to arrest you. b. A warrant card in case you want to arrest someone else. c. A good-conduct certificate from the League of Morals. You can get these in Tijuana at the Tijuana Bible Supply Store... d. Model release forms and a standard 35-page contract in case you get a good picture. e. Advertising cards for wedding photography in case the Valentine's Day magic actually works. f. A sense of humour. Corny humour. BTW. The Sony is a real cracker of a camera. Read the review here in the CE weblog column. I'm feeling good about it.