• A family photo archive on Permanent.org

    December 13, 2024—This post describes the creation of a family photo archive hosted on Permanent.org. The photo archive comprises nearly 1,600 files. It includes shots from a copy stand, scans of 35mm negatives and slides, native digital images, video and documents. Images were processed with the open source program darktable and renamed with digiKam, running…


  • Scanning film with open source software

    November 28, 2024—This post outlines my experience scanning film—about 180 rolls of decades-old 35mm negatives and slides—for a family photo archive. I scanned the film using a BlackBox 135 (review here) and a Nikon D810. I also jury-rigged a copy stand to shoot 150 photographic prints and documents. Images were processed with darktable and renamed…


  • Review: Declutter Your Photo Life

    November 26, 2024—I discovered Declutter Your Photo Life while preparing to assemble a family photo archive. Written by Adam Pratt, a former Adobe employee who runs a photo digitization business, the 200-page book is a good starting point for anyone thinking of building a photo archive. Strengths… Photo Life includes step-by-step instructions for gathering, preserving,…


  • Review: The BlackBox 135 film scanner

    November 21, 2024—I ordered the BlackBox 135 film scanner to digitize about 180 rolls of 35mm slide and negative film for a family photo archive. The choice of the BlackBox 135 was based on a review of its big brother, the BlackBox 120, on PetaPixel. The scanner arrived on time and as advertised. What’s in…


  • Submerged UXO in Hong Kong

    October 13, 2024—Scuba diving in Hong Kong, you’ll see numerous nudibranches, poisonous pufferfish and the odd octopus. On September 14, 2024, my buddy Edmund Lee and I spotted something different, a submerged UXO (unexploded ordnance), that turned out to be a World War II bomb. At lunchtime the next day, I posted a photo of…


  • Japanese earthquake insurance explained

    August 28, 2024 — Like many things in life, Japanese earthquake insurance is complicated. But it can be worth buying, and it’s readily available, despite Japan’s history of seismic activity. At the end of 2022, 35% of the nation’s households had earthquake insurance. Buying Japanese earthquake insurance Earthquake insurance is only sold as a rider…


  • Buying Akiya

    April 24, 2024—Many foreigners are interested in buying akiya (abandoned homes). Who can resist an inexpensive home in the beautiful Japanese countryside? If you’re thinking of buying akiya, here are a few facts to consider. Savvy competitors Japanese property investors have money, expertise and local knowledge. Japanese investors have also been shunning akiya for decades—which…


  • Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 2024

    Here are some highlights from Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. The images were shot from the stands with a Nikon D810 and processed with Digikam and darktable. They feature men’s and women’s teams from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, Spain and the…


  • New Year’s Day Rugby

    Here are some highlights from the 2024 New Year’s Day Rugby tournament in Hong Kong. This year’s tournament featured four matches: under-16 girls, under-16 boys, under-19 girls and under-19 boys. The New Year’s Day Rugby Tournament 2024 marks the 56th year the tournament, which is organized by the Hong Kong Rugby Union, has been held.…


  • Nudibranchs

    If you know nudibranchs, skip ahead a few paragraphs. If not, let me introduce you to these fascinating, photogenic creatures. Nudibranchs Nudibranchs (nudis) are sea slugs. You read that right. Slugs. Like the slimy ones in the garden. But these are not your average slugs. Toxins: Nudis exhibit interesting behaviours. For example, Nembrotha kubaryana (pictured…