SPHERE WITHIN SPHEREPHOTOGRAPHED 2023

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THE SONY A7RV ON LOAN WHILE I WAIT FOR THE A1 II

My Sony A7R IV was damaged during a serious fall in Belfast in 2022, and its performance has gradually declined since then. Instead of replacing it immediately with the A7R V, I decided to wait for the anticipated A1 II update. I pre-ordered an A1 II before Christmas, paying the full price upfront.

It is now the end of July 2025, and my camera still hasn't arrived. My dealer has informed me that they only expect to receive one A1 II per month going forward. Recognising the unreliability of my current A7R IV, the dealer kindly offered me a second-hand A7R V on loan until my A1 II is delivered. This offer was a pleasant surprise, as I had almost decided to purchase a used A7R V with the intention of trading it in or selling it once the A1 II eventually arrived.

Along with the A1 II, I also ordered the Sony F2 28-70mm GM lens and two expensive CFexpress Type A cards.

Sony A7R V vs. Sony A7R IV (My Current Camera)
The Sony A7R V represents a significant upgrade over the A7R IV, despite both cameras sharing the same 61MP sensor. The improvements in the A7R V are largely thanks to a new processor and a dedicated AI processing unit.

Here are the key areas where the A7R V surpasses the A7R IV:

Autofocus System: This is arguably the most substantial improvement. The A7R V features a dedicated AI processing unit that dramatically enhances subject recognition and tracking. It can recognise a wider range of subjects, including humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, and aircraft, and tracks them more reliably, even when faces or eyes are obscured, or subjects change poses. Its low-light performance is also superior.

Image Stabilisation (IBIS): The A7R V boasts an improved in-body image stabilisation system, offering up to 8.0 stops of correction compared to the A7R IV's 5.5 stops. This is a huge advantage for handheld shooting, particularly in low-light conditions.

Processor: The A7R V incorporates the newer BIONZ XR processor, which is eight times faster than the A7R IV's BIONZ X. This leads to:

Larger Buffer: The A7R V has a significantly larger buffer, enabling much longer continuous shooting bursts (e.g., 583 compressed RAW images vs. 68 on the A7R IV at 10fps).

Faster Operations: General camera operations feel noticeably snappier.

Rear LCD Screen: The A7R V features a brand-new 3.2-inch, 2.36M-dot, 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen. This highly versatile screen tilts and rotates, offering far more flexibility for shooting at various angles than the A7R IV's limited tilting screen. It also supports full touch menu operation.

RAW File Options: The A7R V introduces lossless compressed RAW with medium (26MP) and small (15MP) file size options. This can be very useful for managing file sizes while preserving image quality. The A7R IV only offers uncompressed and lossy compressed RAW.

Video Capabilities: While both are primarily still cameras, the A7R V offers 8K video recording (with some crop) and improved 4K options (4K 60p with a 1.2x crop). The A7R IV is limited to 4K 30p.

Dual Card Slots: The A7R V has two dual-format card slots that accept either CFexpress Type A or UHS-II SD cards, providing faster write speeds with CFexpress Type A for demanding applications. The A7R IV only has UHS-II SD card slots.

Menu System: The A7R V incorporates the newer, more intuitive menu system found in recent Sony cameras, making it easier to navigate.

Pixel Shift Multi Shooting: While both models offer this feature, the A7R V includes "motion correction intelligence," which does a better job of handling moving subjects within a pixel shift composite.

Should I Get a Used A7R V and Forget About the A1 II?
This decision largely depends on my specific needs and priorities.

Arguments for Getting a Used A7R V:

Immediate Availability: I can acquire it now, rather than waiting until August or September for the A1 II.

Significant Upgrade from A7R IV: As detailed above, the A7R V offers substantial improvements in autofocus, IBIS, screen, and processing power. This would make my existing workflow much more efficient and open up new possibilities, especially for subjects that benefit from advanced autofocus.

Excellent for High-Resolution Stills: Given my primary interest in high-resolution photography (landscapes, studio, portraits, detailed wildlife), the 61MP sensor of the A7R V is exceptional.

Cost-Effective: A used A7R V will be considerably less expensive than a new A1 II, allowing me to invest in lenses or other gear.

Arguments Against Getting a Used A7R V (and Waiting for the A1 II):

If Speed is Paramount: If I frequently shoot fast-moving action (sports, birds in flight) or engage in professional photojournalism, the A1 II's stacked sensor and unparalleled speed are game-changers.

Sony A1 II vs. Sony A7R V
The A1 II is Sony's flagship "do-it-all" camera, combining high resolution with extreme speed. The A7R V is a resolution-focused camera with highly advanced autofocus.

Here are the key areas where the A1 II is superior to the A7R V:

Stacked Sensor: This is the fundamental difference. The A1 II features a 50.1MP stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor. This design allows for incredibly fast readout speeds, leading to:

Higher Burst Shooting: Up to 30fps with AF/AE tracking (compared to 10fps on the A7R V).

Blackout-Free Shooting: No viewfinder blackout during continuous shooting, providing a seamless view of the action.

Significantly Reduced Rolling Shutter: The A1 II's electronic shutter is far more usable than the A7R V's, practically eliminating rolling shutter distortion. This is a huge advantage for silent shooting and shooting under flickering lights.

Faster Flash Sync: The A1 II has a mechanical flash sync speed of 1/400s (vs. 1/250s on the A7R V), and electronic flash sync up to 1/250s.

Autofocus Performance (Overall Speed): While the A7R V has excellent AI-driven subject recognition, the A1 II's stacked sensor allows its autofocus system to operate with much greater speed and refresh rates (120 times/second), leading to even better tracking performance for extremely fast or erratic subjects. It also inherits the latest AI AF unit.

Video Capabilities: The A1 II offers 8K 30p and 4K 120p video recording, with generally better internal codecs and more robust video features for professional production.

Pre-Capture: The A1 II offers pre-capture, a crucial feature for capturing fleeting moments where I might be slow to react.

Durability/Robustness: The A1 series is generally built to a higher standard for professional use, with more robust construction and weather sealing.

Professional Features: The A1 II is designed with professional workflows in mind, including a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for fast wired data transfer.

Where the A7R V Might Still Hold an Edge (Minor):

Resolution: The A7R V has a slightly higher 61MP sensor compared to the A1 II's 50.1MP. While 50MP is still incredibly high, for absolute maximum detail, the A7R V might have a tiny edge in specific, static scenarios where every pixel can be exploited.

Price: A used A7R V is significantly cheaper.

Robustness and Life Expectancy (A1 II vs. A7R V)
The Sony A1 II is designed and marketed as Sony's flagship professional camera. This generally translates to:

Enhanced Build Quality: Expect more robust materials, better weather sealing, and more durable components compared to the A7R V, which is also well-built but not at the same "pro" tier.

Shutter Life: Flagship professional cameras often have higher shutter actuation ratings, indicating a longer expected lifespan for the mechanical shutter. While Sony doesn't always publish these figures, it's generally understood that the A1 series is built for heavier professional use.

Heat Dissipation: For extended shooting sessions, especially video, the A1 II's design is likely to manage heat more effectively, contributing to long-term reliability.

In summary, the A1 II is generally considered a more robust unit with a better life expectancy, particularly if one is pushing the camera in demanding professional scenarios.

THE CHILDREN OF LIR SCULPTURE [I USED A SONY A7RV CAMERA]

The Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, a serene and poignant space, is home to a magnificent sculpture that captures the essence of a beloved Irish legend: The Children of Lir. This bronze masterpiece serves as the focal point of the garden, which itself commemorates all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.

The Art: "The Children of Lir"

The sculpture by Oisín Kelly depicts the four children of Lir – Fionnuala, Aodh, Fiachra, and Conn – in their transformed state as swans, rising from the water. The work is crafted from copper bronze and stands at an imposing height, conveying a sense of aspiration and transcendence. The composition is dynamic, with the swans' forms suggesting both grace and a powerful surge upwards, symbolising rebirth and resurrection.

The legend of the Children of Lir is a tale from Irish mythology, often grouped as one of the "Three Sorrows of Storytelling". It recounts how the four children of King Lir were cruelly transformed into swans by their jealous stepmother, Aoife, cursed to spend 900 years in this form, enduring hardship across various waters in Ireland. The curse is eventually broken by the ringing of a Christian bell, returning them to human form as frail, aged individuals who are then baptised before their peaceful deaths.

In the context of the Garden of Remembrance, the sculpture takes on deeper symbolic meaning. It represents not only the suffering and endurance of the Irish people through periods of oppression but also their ultimate transformation, resilience, and the enduring hope for freedom and renewal. The swans in flight can be seen as an allegory for the nation's struggle and eventual liberation, a vision that ultimately became a reality.

Behind the sculpture, a poem by Liam Mac Uistin is inscribed, further reinforcing the themes of vision, hope, valour, and resurrection, drawing parallels between the mythical tale and Ireland's historical journey to independence.

The Artist: Oisín Kelly (1915-1981)

The creator of this iconic sculpture was Oisín Kelly, born Austin Kelly in Dublin in 1915. Kelly was a prominent Irish sculptor, highly regarded for his accessible style and mastery of various techniques and materials. He initially pursued a career as a schoolteacher, studying languages at Trinity College Dublin and later attending night classes at the National College of Art and Design. He also had the invaluable experience of studying under the renowned British sculptor Henry Moore from 1948 to 1949.

Before "The Children of Lir," Kelly primarily focused on small wood carvings and received commissions for Catholic churches. However, the commission for the Garden of Remembrance, unveiled on Easter Monday 1966 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, brought him significant public recognition. While some initially criticised the use of a pagan legend for a national monument in a Christian country, the sculpture has undeniably become one of his most celebrated and enduring works.

Following "The Children of Lir," Kelly received numerous other public commissions, including the statue of trade union leader James Larkin on Dublin's O'Connell Street and "Oisín Goes to Tir Na Nóg" at the Irish Life Mall Plaza. In 1966, he became artist-in-residence at the Kilkenny Design Centre, a role he held until his death in 1981. Oisín Kelly's work played a crucial role in upholding sculptural standards in Ireland during a period when the art form was experiencing a lull, leaving a lasting legacy on the country's public art landscape.
SPHERE WITHIN SPHERE AT THE BERKELEY LIBRARY [TRINITY COLLEGE 2023]

The "Sphere Within Sphere" (Sfera con Sfera) sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro is far more than just an aesthetic addition to the Trinity College Dublin campus; it's a profound work with significant artistic and symbolic relevance, and it's part of a globally recognised series.

The Sculpture's Form and Meaning:

Arnaldo Pomodoro, a renowned Italian sculptor, began creating his iconic "Sphere Within Sphere" series in the 1960s. The sculptures typically feature a large, polished bronze sphere that appears to be cracked or torn apart, revealing a complex, often jagged and mechanical-looking interior. Inside this ruptured outer sphere, another, smaller sphere is visible, sometimes also appearing to be fractured or intricately detailed.

Pomodoro himself has offered insights into the meaning of his works:

Duality and Conflict: The contrast between the smooth, seemingly perfect exterior and the tormented, corroded, and complex interior is central. It represents a "discordant tension" or "conflict" – a unity composed of incompleteness. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the dual nature of existence, the hidden complexities beneath an apparent surface, or even the fragility and potential for destruction within what seems whole.

Rebirth and a New Millennium: Pomodoro has stated that the sculpture can be seen as a "metaphor for the coming of a new millennium, a promise for the rebirth of a less troubled and destructive world." The inner sphere "hatching" from the outer one suggests a process of emergence, evolution, or renewal.

Humanity and Technology: The intricate interior forms, sometimes resembling gears or clockwork, can be seen as a blend of humanistic and technology-oriented imagery. This reflects a period of rapid technological advancement and societal change when these sculptures were conceived.

The World and its Inner Soul: Some interpretations suggest the outer sphere represents the world as we perceive it, while the inner, broken sphere symbolises its true, often troubled, soul or reality. For the Vatican installation, it has been specifically linked to the Earth and Christianity, with the fractures representing challenges and complexities.

Breaking Perfection: Pomodoro's desire was to "break these perfect, magic forms in order to reveal their internal ferment, mysterious and alive, monstrous and yet pure." This highlights a fascination with what lies beneath the surface and the beauty or truth that can be found in imperfection or disruption.

Historical Context and Global Relevance:

The "Sphere Within Sphere" at Trinity College Dublin was gifted to the university in 1982. It's one of approximately 45 such sculptures that Arnaldo Pomodoro created, varying in size and often specifically commissioned for prominent public spaces around the world. This series became his signature work, solidifying his reputation as a leading contemporary artist.

Other notable locations where "Sphere Within Sphere" sculptures can be found include:

The Vatican Museums (Cortile della Pigna), Rome: Arguably the most famous and imposing of the series, installed in the 1990s.

United Nations Headquarters, New York City: Gifted by Italy in 1996, symbolising hope for a new millennium.

University of California, Berkeley, USA

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C., USA

Tel Aviv University, Israel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy (known as the Farnesina Palace)

Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, USA

The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Kanagawa, Japan

The existence of these sculptures in such diverse and significant locations speaks to their universal appeal and the enduring power of their message. They are often placed in educational or diplomatic contexts, underscoring their symbolic role in reflecting global challenges, the pursuit of knowledge, and the aspiration for a better future. The Trinity College Dublin sculpture, therefore, connects the university to a wider international dialogue on art, philosophy, and the human condition.

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