Full day of travel and meetings...and this is what I see from my window. If I was not so tired I'd be walking with the tripod snagging a few shots. Instead I'm going to crash!
Besides I've been reading a lot about the Theology of the Body and I have a lot to pray about...it provides so much to learn and apply in my family life that my head is bursting from that as well!
-ehw
P.S. X-E! from the hotel room with a couple tweeks in Snapseed.
Going on a business trip, so I packed up my camera as I usually do...only to recognize some pretty big changes in my load plan. Now this is a business trip, and if I get to shoot and enjoy myself it will be a small miracle. I just feel unprepared without a good camera on hand...and being a geek I wanted my toy set with me. On my last big trip I toted my Pentax K-5 DSLR along. Great camera, outstanding quality from its 16mp sensor. I took the little bag you see below. Inside was the K-5 with a 16-50 F2.8 and either the 50-135 F2.8 or a trio of primes (usually DA 15 F4, DA35 F2.8 (or the FA43/FA77) and DFA100 F2.8 Macro). I could take either one flash, or store my batteries and charger in the top compartment. This was a great set of toys.
Over the last six months I traded out a lot of Pentax gear to pick up a Fujifilm rangefinder style kit. So this time I put the following in the bag: Fujifilm X-E1, 18-55 F2.8-F4, 55-200 F3.5-4.8, 14mm F2.8, 35mm F1.4 and 60mm F2.4 close focusing lens with a small XF-20 flash, XF-42 Flash, off camera flash cord and the battery charger. This is way more than I need...probably too much. The way I shoot though is opportunity driven, as such the better a set of tools I have on hand the better I can handle any situation.
What did I gain and what did I lose? Well the X-E1 displays much sharper image due to its lack of an AA filter, and in dim situations and almost no noise up to IO3200. Now I also want to point out that I have an early generation 16MP sensor in the K-5, and a later generation 16MP sensor in the X-E1 both probably made by Sony. Sony does continuous improvement on the sensors, and users of current 16MP K-5II and K-5IIS do have a better sensor. On the plus side I also had more room to carry some fill flash without exceeding my previous carry weight in the Fuji package. I used that a lot over Thanksgiving, and it could become useful here.
The style of the X-E1 is definitely a retro design with aperture rings and a shutter speed dial. It is simple and direct. For more complicated functions I can dive into the Q menu and handle the need quickly. It does force me to slow down in some situations to get everything set up the way I want it in terms of focusing point just because of button positioning and how my brain works. The AF is definitely slower compared to a DSLR, but it is very precise. I also can compose just as easily on the large LCD as the small Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). I am still working to use it as fluidly as I did the K-5.
I made the jump because quite frankly Pentax had not grown very far since I had purchased it. Now they made advances in the last year I would like to take home with me....but I was not sold on where the company was going and what their intentions were. Heck the company could not tell anyone what they their strategy was. My prize lenses were the FA43, FA77 and DFA100. They were dreamy...but out of place on crop sensors most of the time. I had hoped to use the crop sized zooms for sports, and the primes for deliberate work on a 35mm size sensor one day. With no Pentax FF on the horizon to waltz into at some point, I really had to make a decision about their usefullness. Fujifilm on the other hand had a coherent strategy of getting great APS-C quality with compact glass that was very portable (and when on sale relatively uber affordable). So for now when focus speed and weather sealing is of most importance, Mr. Pentax comes out to play. Other than that....it is getting aback seat right now. The Pentax primes are gone except for the macro....all to fund the new Fujifilm kit.
I must admit the jury is still out on whether I made a good choice. Both are good systems, and a little off the beaten track. I almost picked up a Micro 4/3 Olympus OM-D5. Iit has incredible glass, better AF, and a good sound design except it was a little too small for my hands. The Fujifilm fits me well...and the system is growing by leps and bounds. So time will tell if I did the right thing...until then I just need to learn my craft until I get blue in the face! The gear today is very, very good...and the limiter is not the gear but rather me!
So if you are looking for something to lighten your load take a look at the growing number of mirriorless options. They are good cameras, and by design could save you quite a few pounds on your next all day excursion.
-ehw
A few signs of fall appearing around the town of Roswell, Georgia the last few weeks...and I finally got to enjoy a photo walk win town to capture a few of them. I particularly enjoyed how the leaves gave a sense of closure to the season as we zoom quickly to the dawn of winter. This bench was very interesting to me. I enjoyed the rich textures, contrasty color, and detail. So I tried to capture it faithfully.
If you've followed the blog for any length of time you know I enjoy shooting in the fall. The afternoon light is so warm and enticing. Funny thing is this photo does not get that full treatment due to placement of the bench! Oh well a few more days of this light before a business trip will take me for a spin way out west!
I've become increasingly self critical of my work. I think it comes with the higher expectations I have for myself. That is good because it drives me to improve my game, it is bad because it gives me greater pause before I shoot and share. I'm still learning the needed balance between shooting for fun, sharing and living. What a wonderful journey life is...who knows where it will take me or teach me in the days and years to come.
-ehw
The competitors lined up their forces and studied their opponent. They peered into each other's eyes Looking for weakness. In the last twelve months each grew in various ways, the younger one practicing each week with new sparring partners to take on his mentor. With hardly a sound the hounds of war slashed across the field of battle, slaying with precision cuts and discipline the enemy who was careless in his positioning. After fighting for twenty minutes and new sound crossed the battlefield....
A young boys voice said, "Is a horse stronger than a castle? Who is winning? How do you know?"
What fun to see one son dueling with his Uncle Steve, and the other loving on him as soon as the game was over to get his own special time. It is an annual event now each boy looks forward to. It is a special time to watch them bond, and see how my sons grow to appreciate, in new ways only a boy one year older could, the good man my Uncle is.
I've known for years how great a guy he is because he takes such good care of my Aunt, and my Dad's youngest sister who is only 10 years older than me. She and I were pals when I was a kid..and on Thanksgivings she often came home from school to find me sharing her bunk for the weekend! That is what happens when you have a family of nine and a whole lot of kids/grandparents pouring in! No space is scared! Well I only want the best for her, and Uncle Steve definitely is the best medicine God ever dropped on her!
Yes it is one of the best memories a man can have in life...the knowledge that good lessons and memories are now passing through three generations.
-ehw P.S. Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55
Here is a rarity for me...portraits of a cat. Yes, you read right, I photographed a cat. Yes the animal I am very allergic to. The animal that looks at me and says, "I can take you." The animal that is ripping up my popup trailer cover. I photographed a cat!
This cat is called Friendly by my trusting, adoring, cat petting, and often drawing wife and children. She is a neighborhood cat. My kiddos go out an pet the cat, the 22 month old chases the cat with glee. She and her buddy Shiloh own my yard and keep it free from snakes and other pests (for the most part).
How did I come across this? Well I was playing with my camera working on a tree across the street with its fall colors and late afternoon sun. Then Friendly waltzed up into the yard and starting being coy. She even wanted me to to pet her! Obviously she needs glasses and a smell test. I look nothing like my six year old or my red headed wife.
Seeing that she wanted to play, and pose and goof off I took the opportunity to get some photographs of a new type of subject for me.
What I learned was that working in the contrasting light, on a subject with such a glossy coat is not in the easy to do category. Next time I'll stop down up the aperture a bit as well. I threw out a number of photos because my depth of field was too small. The portrait up top is a good example of the eyes being perfect, and the rest good. The others...well not so much. The final photo was a fun one of the cat on the prowl. Just as with any photo or portrait I found myself taking some time to touch up parts of the photo to make the cat look like a winner.
-ehw
PS: Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55
I went for a walk yesterday and learned I have a lot to learn...while using my tools.
Fall is a wonderful time. Great light, cool weather, and some things slow down around the house. Well as the kids get older it does not seem to slow down much, but it does a bit.
This photo is an interesting juxiposition (well to me at least) of nature's leaves, a service panel on the sidewalk and a spray painted spot of blue! Not expected with the fall and natural colors in there!
I hope you enjoy it!
-ehw
P.S. Fujifilm X-E1 with the not so kit 18-55 lens. RAW file conversion and edit right in Aperture.
One last one from Art in the Park here...
This is from my friend Wendy Dickerson's booth called How Charming. She makes charms of every type you can imagine. This one struck me as sentimental since it reminded me of my nurse wife.
I'm finding in my artistic journey that it is not the technical aspects of a photo that sells it to most of us. It is the sentimental that makes us want to attach a photo to our walls or story books.
That said, the any good of a photo is almost equal parts technical and art that can tell a story.
So I guess our job as an artist trying to create a story from our minds and then to capture it in our particular product. If we do our jobs right with technical and artistic competence, we will have that story connect with some cord in others in a way that allows them to relate to the piece as well.
Not as easy as it sounds or looks...or to understand late at night after a good long day with four kids, yard work and a photo session!
-ehw
P.S. Fujifilm X-E1with 60mm Macro. Contact Wendy at Howcharming22@gmail.com if you'd like to see her work!
Over the last few days I've worked with my sons to review the christian concept of hope. Hope in God and his goodness is what prevents us from falling into despair.
When I looked at these trucks, I realized my boys have had a lot of hope for the last few years. They dig, and dump, discover and learn day after day in the same spots with the glee a only a boy can get by playing in the dirt. They are happy with each dig and dive into the dirt of life.
So keep up the hope and drive on to expand your knowledge of faith, hope and charity...it will keep you from deep despair in the groundhog days of crazy politics, and distraction from the prize.
-ehw
-X-E1 in the yard with the 35mm
We had a slow. but lovely weekend at Art in the Park...so that left some time for us photographers on scene to play and make some art...and admire the work of others!
Please enjoy the photo essay that follows, and know we were working hard!
-ehw
PS All taken with my X-E1 with a variety of lenses...
Walking through an office I saw a plant reminding of the phrase urban jungle. Quick shots, catch good light and frame in camera the best I could... Then snapseed and done.
Just a reminder watch for a weekend sale on the store!
-EHW
I am mad as heck at myself...I ran out of the house to beat the rush and forgot my lovely X-E1 in the house on my desk with two charged batteries. So when I got he photo bug I had to turn here to my iPhone. I know, I know everyone is doing it nowadays. I am just resistant to it. I'll use live view and all the modern conveniences but at the end of the day I just want my real camera.
Well I had the bug to shoot something, and I found myself at a rest area. I got a quick shot with a little morning sun. Problem was the flowers were definitely starting to fade...some flowers were downright depressing for what I wanted to do. So I came back to my room and played with the photo...first in iPhoto and then on Snapseed. Snapseed gave me some fun options I liked and knew how to use from my extensive experience with the product....and iPhoto is on its first run with me in its current regeneration.
The bottom line is that even when you have what you feel is little to work with, in today's world it is a far cry from what we had just ten years ago. I made a pretty interesting piece...or so I hope!
Stay optimistic, and drive on to making some art!
-ehw PS iPhone camera on auto, edited in Snapseed.
Last two games of the season coming up for the Roswell Astros (11-12 year olds). During a season you can get a lot of good action shots, but a team portfolio is not complete without some ambiance shots. During night games here I don't have the full frame and F2.8 lenses needed to capture quality action shots. So instead I switched up my gear to use my FujiFilm X-E1 and my fastest prime lens...my 35mm F1.4. Just walking around the dugout you can usually find some interesting if you open up your eyes and switch gears from action to environmental shooting.
This is my son' s hat, glove and batting glove. It was his inning to sit the bench while the team was in the field. So they were stacked up while he waited his turn to head back out. While the available light may be awful for moving subjects, the same situation may be interesting and add nostalgia to an environmental photo.
-ehw
Ok it is Monday...we are all back to work (or I hope we are).
I had to work overnight this weekend, and it went from 9P to 4AM...yep I'm smoked and fading fast here at the desk. I guess that does not count the chaperoning a middle school party at church Friday, helping the Blue Knights and Knights of Columbus with a Soccer Challenge, and then church and a baseball game for Kalen today. Yes I go to work to relax a bit. Just don't tell that to my boss would you please?
So I just wanted to share how I plan to survive my Monday morning...with large amounts of Joe!
Smiles everyone! Good Luck this week!
-ehw
P.S. I took this with the Fujifilm X-E1. I've read a lot lately about this camera not being all it was claimed to be in marketing and the rest...well my advice on any camera is don't read the marketing. Get a hold of it and shoot. Every camera has compromises, and if you like the ones the designers chose you're in great luck! If not find something else. For me this camera gives some of the best B&W out of camera I've ever seen. It has the cleanest high ISO shooting for an APS-C camera I've ever seen. I know because I compare it to a champ of APS-C...my 16MP Sony sensor powered Pentax. It also gives me a nice analog quality in my prints I enjoy. I accept that it is not a fast focusing, child chasing tool. I don't use it for that all the time. I have Mr Pentax for that in times it matters. I also accept that fact that the unique output from the camera, the feel of the images is a result of a complex data processing not all image processors do well. In the long run, a new dame of a camera comes in every week...just like a movie star. Just enjoy the one you brought, and remember it is a tool not something to worship! Use the one you need, and enjoy the choices of others as well...if we all did the same thing and made the same choices the world would be pretty damn boring.
If you are a normal person...living the normal life of 7 to 5 at the job...shuttling kiddos from 6:30 to 9 around the city...taking the call from work once or twice on a crisis...paying bills and hitting the sack at 1045 only to get up at 530 to do all again....
then this photo is for you.
Not all of us really have the talents to do what we want to do and make a living. Some of us do what we have to do, where the talents we have can pay the bills. I'm one of those type of people. I do it because when I get the bills paid I can give the best life possible to the five I support with all my heart.
Proverbs clearly tells us this is the rule of life, not the exception.
So my photography hobby, the part time job, is really my respite from all that. I truly believe this is what real life is for most of us. It is also why when we see a moment, a moment that we worked so hard to reach, needs savoring and thanksgiving.
This morning with my Saturday morning coffee I saw the light, and knew it was time to act. The kids were fed, shoes were on, and they could walk out into the yard with me. So surrounded by happy voices, tricycles and a neighborhood cat I savored the moment with shutter click after shutter click. Between clicks I thanked God for the moments of golden fall light and a simple subject. I tried new combinations, I explored my camera...and when I came in I liked two images. This was one I liked best. With 30 seconds of post processing I said, done for today...more work to do around the house...church events to attend.
So enjoy your day! Hopefully this makes it a little brighter! Remember God sent such moments to remind us that all of life is hard work....but the rewards for the honest hard work are eternal moments like this little golden one.
-ehw
PS Fujifilm X-E1 with 60mm Macro, Raw processed in Aperture.
On of the benefits of "working" a show like Art in the Park is my children get to come with me. Yesterday my eldest daughter came, and today my son. I enjoy having them with me. I don't to take them to my real job, so this is where they get to see me relate with people and be a professional. It is an extra classroom for them, and a place for me to be a Dad by introducing them to the world outside of the home. It also gives a me a few moments to catch that glimpse of my children Mom gets everyday in homeschooling. The glimpse of the real child of mine. What good kids they are! They each endured several hours of slow times, but they engaged other adults with conversation. They learned a great deal, and were very courteous and respectful to all they met. They even did a good job talking to people about the prints we had for sale. We also had some time to laugh and talk to each other...all in the warm golden light of early fall.
To celebrate afterwards I snapped a few images of Kalen this afternoon. I had nothing current of him in my collection, and I really was missing that.
Got to celebrate the good times...for in just a few years they'll be out and on their own!
-ehw
PS Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55 kit lens F4.5, 1/180, -1EV ISO200 @55mm. Post in Aperture with a few simple adjustments.
Here is a guest post from Kalen and Kevin! Two weekends ago we started preparing for our first Blue Knights meeting. This is not the motor cycle gang, it is a Catholic Youth Formation group for boys! Our first year is building the armor of God, and the first thing we had to make were the shields of faith.
So the boys got to play with power tools as we cut up the shields for them and their pals. During our "cutting up" each of the boys took turns grabbing a few photos. Here are a few from their work...
We'll be painting them this weekend with symbols of faith. We talked about St. Peter and St. Stephen the night of the meeting, and they worked on their memory verse. The whole purpose of this program is to encourage and enable fathers and sons to grow together in faith by providing each other the foundation needed to a a life time of service to God.
So far so good...
-ehw
P.S. This is the little Fujifilm X-20 going to work here.
Everyone needs practice...and I mean everyone! The boys on the field and Daddy behind the lens. I'd been working out Mr Fuji for a while...and I almost forgot where my buttons were on Mr Pentax!
Today I'd like to make a pitch to really get to know your gear. I know I've said that many times before, but I really mean it! I'm looking for ways to reduce post processing time, and the best way to do that is getting the shot right in camera. And oh by the way these cameras have a ton of features we can maximize and use if we so dare!
So today I worked on using high dynamic range and I actually played with the color settings. Yep I took it off Neutral and played with the Dynamic setting with some curves thrown in. Well worked pretty well, except a few were too dark from over contrast.
So get out there and enjoy the fall light! It in an of itself is a wonderful thing to enjoy and play with!
-ehw
PS Both with Pentax K-5 using the 60-250
Tomorrow is Patriots Day, and as we remember 9/11 we need to remember what historical patriotism is in our country's history.
Patriotism is selflessness of action when others are down. Patriotism is using the talents God gave us to care for ourselves well enough to have a surplus from time to time. Patriotism is sharing the bounty through charity tithes without being forced under a government edict. Patriotism historically recognizes each person has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Note there is no guarantee of happiness..that is why the French ended in guillotines. the Russian revolution ended in some 10 million or so dead, and Mao killed his own millions. I could go on and on...
If you are in doubt as to what you should do to be a Patriot, I think we need not look further than the cross. Simply remember who will be our judge at the end of time. I've yet to see anyone go wrong just following natural law in terms of Patriotism. Because when people work together following natural law they build communities. Natural Law does not divide people willfully. We must respect those who go down their own path, under their own right to life self determination. The Founders knew this, and built natural law into our national fabric from the beginning. If you do not believe me read their writings from their own hand, not what a modern author says about them today!
So what will you do today to be a Patriot and join the ranks of those honored? Remember our nation is not one of birthright defining our lives, it is one where we are supposed to have a birthright to stake out our own lives. Whether you are 1 or 91 you can choose to live a life of a Patriot. Simply follow the law that was here before time began.
-ehw
PS This is an example of re-developing a photograph using new processors. I used OnOne to take a good photo and make it a whole lot better. It is something I could not do a few years ago. So go back and play with the past and bring out the vision you wanted with what we now have today. Hey that is why they kept negatives in the film days! No different at all! Oh and don't write when you should be in bed...typos abound!
Over the last few weeks I examined my limitations, faults and outstanding obligations pretty hard. I could look at it as a time of trial and woe..but that would be wrongheaded. I know this is a chance to grow in ways I would not normally force myself to do. For the moment, I am doing it in an environment where the people helping me through challenge are doing so out of a desire to see me grow in my day job.
Reflecting on it tonight I remembered that my best supervisors prior to this little challenge all did the same thing. One company commander told me straight out I was not his choice for the job as his XO, but he'd work with me and see what I could do. Every week he fed me more and more assignments until he left seven months later, and I was able to run the company myself as the CO if needed. He smirked later when he told me "You did alright." In one contractor job I pulled, the supervisor looked me in the eye with a hard message. If he was in town when I applied, no interview or job would have flown my way. That being said, he decided to work with me. Every day for three months I pulled odd task after odd task until I knew my job cold. Seven months later he told me to come back if I needed a better paying job in his company! My growth was part of those bosses plans from the get go. I just did not know it at first.
So the cycle repeats itself again at work. A supervisor calling me to expand my mind, my capabilities and mission to reach his goals and expectations of my position. I am grateful for the opportunity, I have a job and I need to hold it tight in these frightful times. I also know that my growth could determine the fate of my company. If the challenge comes and I am not ready, those we serve could suffer greatly. The wrath of that failure should fall where the fault lies, and if it is me it will be me who starts walking home.
I could not help but to think of this stained glass window from St. Fedelis in Victoria when I thought of this. Here was Mary Magdalene begging for a job, the job of disciple of Christ. She humbled herself to wash Christ's feet with her hair! Here was Christ who challenges each of us to get out of our comfort zone, and do what is right by God's plan even if it is not written anywhere as the law of the land. Each day and night a challenge like those set forth by my best supervisors greets us with a chance to grow as a disciple of Christ. We can embrace the challenge, or walk away.
I beg of you, to take up the cross with a smile. For the rewards of being with him forever are pretty good ones if we bare the cross with as much honor as we can. I'll do my best to join with you in the walk. I hope we can share it and grow together!
-ehw
Here is my pretty china doll Julia Rose...
I think the world's technology if overloading us with stimuli. Our brains are truly wired differently now because of it. Unfortunately this is robbing us of our ability to be introspective. Introspective people often look into what appears to be nothingness, and find the rich textures and beauty God has hidden in there for their enjoyment and enlightenment that others ignore. While making these portraits with my daughter I was able to slow down just enough to explore what I was doing...the why...the how...the wonder of the moment before me. Writing this article, and thinking about what I wanted to do actually made me go back and re-edit my photograph to make it more attractive..actually to make the nothingness more attractive and complementary of the subject! I had set the stage, but only by self examination was I truly able to explore it.
Here is the story of the shot: When I shot this portrait I wanted to explore the concept of negative space a bit. I just finished reading about in in Bryan Peterson's book so I thought it would be good to practice. This is one of those times where you purposely let a big set of space be empty...but in this case I filled it up with a rich texture. Before last month I would be scared to do something with the space, wondering if I was "allowed" to by the photogurus of the world. Bob Coates helped me walk away from that supposed stigma last month at a class I took with him. "If the masters of art did it, why can we learn from them?" he said...and then he encouraged us all to play a little but with the concept. Only through play can you learn, experience and find the your style in the wonderful world of photo development we have at our fingertips today. It is a great lesson we should all grasp on in so many ways (Bob Coates website bcphotography.com) I used Julia's eyes and body curve to compliment the negative space...she is looking at the negative space as if something is there you cannot see! By moving Julia in the lighting space I also purposely created shadows to give the subject a three dimensional depth to match the texture. If I had more space in the old basement I'd pull her further from the backdrop..but I am out of that vital commodity in the basement right now...to create more depth and contrast in the textures. Next step is to do more with the lighting outside of post to make this easier.
So put down that smart phone, ipad or gameboy. Look into the nothingness, and see what you've been missing. Remove the man made stimuli, and look, listen and feel for the rich textures of life God prepared for us. I think our lives will be much greater for it...I know this portrait of my daughter certainly was.
-ehw
P.S. The Fujifilm X-E1 F5, 1/110, ISO1600, at 234mm(35mm equivalent) tripod mounted!