Posts from the ‘Point & Shoot’ Category
A rookie mistake left me in the middle of the desert without a SD card for my TZ4. Instead of heading down a path of negative self talk, I grabbed the iPhone out of my CamelBak and embraced the challenge. I found it to be incredibly liberating. No longer was I troubled with the decisions and gear that traditionally impact the tripod totin’ bracket-er. The entire weekend became an exercise in composition, vision, and creativity. Yes, I was tired and my legs were sore, but I don’t mean that kind of exercise. Having to create images with a single fixed tool, I was forced to change my focus. In doing so, I emerged from the desert with a stronger vision and my photographer’s dignity intact!
Just in case you don’t commonly scroll down to the ‘Great Eyes’ links, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight a couple new additions in a post.
You might know by now that I am pretty hip to the iPhone as a photographic tool. Sure, its flash sync speed has something to be desired (it doesn’t even have a flash), limited high ISO capabilities, no telephoto to speak of, doesn’t take filters (I’m actually working on that), its only 1.5 mega pixels, no aperture or shutter speed controls, etc, etc…. However, in the face of all that, I absolutely love it. That being said, I have decided to post my favorite pics from the week every Friday. I thought it might be a fun way to look back on the week and possibly stir up some creative juices going into the weekend. All these images were shot and edited within the iPhone using ‘The Best Camera’. If you are interested, you can find it in the app store by clicking the link. Hard to beat for $2.99.
Note: I might miss a day or two soon because I am headed to the desert. Don’t worry, I will have my iPhone + my landscape kit.
Lately I have had a bit of full frame/big glass envy. I have my kit, and I’m very happy with it. But there always seems to be something I would like to add or upgrade. At least for me, this desire (rationalized as an artistic need) is that fact that I don’t ever want to let an image get away. I want to be prepared, with the best possible toolset, for when ‘that’ image presents itself. It is when I find images like this, shot with a sub $150 camera, that I remind myself that its not about the gear, it’s about being there. There is no question that great gear will help, but it won’t help you if you aren’t out chasing it.
Capture Notes:
Panasonic TZ4
Processing Notes:
Capture (1 Image)
Nik Silver Efex Pro (High Structure Red Filter)
LightAsMagic.com
If you missed it, I tweeted (yep, you can follow me on twitter) images from the evening photo-walk as I shot and processed them on location from my iPhone. I had so much fun I might leave my D300 at home next time. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, the high ISO capabilities of the iPhone are a bit limited. However, all these images were captured, edited, and shared as I made them. The app I was using to do this is one developed in tandem with Chase Jarvis and is appropriately titled, ‘The Best Camera (is the one you have with you)’. If you have an iPhone, and would like to give it a run, you can buy it by clicking the link below. I am pretty sure it is the best $2.99 you will ever spend on photo gear!
For the photo recipes, you can follow my TheBestCamera.com photostream here:
http://bestc.am/photographers/15879
Photographer #15879 reporting for duty!
The Story: This image is from the local open space where I love to trail run. This summer they offered a race series along the very trails that I train on. Normally I enjoy my runs as I take in my surroundings. However, durning the race the trees were a blur.
The Process: Capture –> Adobe Raw Converter –> Nik Color FX (Ink) –> Photoshop (contrast/saturation boost) –> Flickr
Tip: If your surroundings are dull and lifeless, breathe some life into them! I made this image by setting my shutter speed to .8 of a sec and panned the camera up as I turned the shutter over.
This image was made on one of my evening strolls while visiting Cozumel last winter.
Wake up early, go diving, eat lunch, nap, workout, take a photo walk at sunset, a margarita with dinner, then do it again the next day. No better cure for ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’.
We are headed back soon so check back. Hopefully I will return with beautiful images of the town we so dearly love. I am looking forward to sharing them with you all!
Camera: Lumix TZ4
Moons Over My Hammy, originally uploaded by LightAsMagic.
Before I ever paid any attention to nutrition my favorite meal at Denny’s was the famous ‘Moons Over My Hammy’. I’m surprised I wasn’t struck down by a heart attack at the age of 16. I am much healthier now.
This image was discovered on our way up Independence pass. With an hour or for an adventure we decided to a take a leisurely drive up the Leadville side of the pass to explore the Twin Lakes area. A long stretch of straight road gave me a direct view of the setting moon.
This image was a handheld capture using my trusty Nikon D300 and Nikon 70-300 VR II lens. It was cropped a bit in photoshop, but not too much.
Another reason to have your camera close by!
I have learned many lessons while diving, but one of the more important lessons I have learned is to never pack your camera up while on your safety stop. You just never know what will swim by. I snapped this image just of the shore of Cozumel at about 12ft while on my 5min decompression stop. You will find barracuda either in small groups or swimming alone as they patrol the waters for prey.
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5100
Wherever you are or wherever you go make sure to spend time observing. Normally I will set aside at least an hour or so for a photo walk. Usually I schedule it for early morning or early evening so that I have the best light. It is both relaxing and meditative. Even if you don’t come away with award winning photos, you will leave your destination with a better understanding of where you were.
This image from the stairwell to our room was made with my simple point and shoot camera. It is a Lumix TZ4 and is capable enough for creativity yet simple enough for the less technical on the team. To highlight the sky and darken the hall I underexposed the image by 3 full stops. It is a technique I often use with this camera.
Fall has settled here in Colorado and the Caribbean is calling me. Until we get on the plane, the best we can do is look back through some old photos of dive trips past.
This summer we traveled to San Mateo, CA to cheer my father (‘pops’) on in the National Senior Games Time Trial. He is a long time bike racer who not only generates 220 watts at his lactate threshold, but still does swing handstands on the parallel bars he built in his backyard. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention he is 66. Those that know him aspire to be like him when they reach that age. Hell, those that know him aspire to be like him at any age. He truly is the man, the myth, the legend.
As for this photo, we were doing some forward recon on the TT course so we could review the race strategy. The sun was almost gone when we turned the corner and spotted this single cloud cradled in the hills. This particular image is an HDR produced from 5 bracketed images. It was a tricky piece of work. Initially I wished I had shot 9 images so I could have worked with a greater dynamic range to lighten the foreground, but after review I really came to love the look of this one, broad mono-toned layers leading the eye up to the lone misty mountain (where the spirits go now…..)
As a photographer who loves the sea, it was only natural that I start taking my gear underwater. A few years back I decided to invest in a advanced point & shoot + housing setup. Because I am only able to go on dive trips a couple times a year, I couldn’t justify the cost of a housing for my SLR. However, I have had some great luck with my modest scuba rig. I do miss some opportunities, but on occasion I capture something worth sharing.
This image is from our New Year’s trip to Cozumel. I believe I shot this in about 40ft of water near the Santa Rosa Wall.
Watching Us, originally uploaded by LightAsMagic.
One If By Land, originally uploaded by LightAsMagic.
If you ever make it to Boston, plan a visit to the North End. Here you will find a majority of the Freedom Trail, warm Italian hospitality, and the Old North Church.
At the Old North Church make sure you take the ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour. Not only do you get the full account of the church they dispel a couple historical myths.
Here is a view from the bell tower where the lantern that signaled ‘by sea’ was hung (handged?). Captured with my TZ4.
Boston Fly, originally uploaded by LightAsMagic.
A day of bad weather and flat light drove us inside while visiting Boston. In line at the Museum of Science we ran into the CEO of the Michael Scott Paper Company. We didn’t bother him, it looked like he was pretty busy being a dad. We didn’t stay long. We were there just long enough to catch this little glimpse of summer.
Note: Shot with my trusty sub $200 Lumix TZ4.
