Blue Tree

I don’t shoot HDR (high dynamic range) photography very often anymore.  I know some photographers don’t like it because they think they are too “Photoshop” or look fake.  I would say that its personal preference.  For years people have been manipulating pictures (i.e. Ansel Adams) and to be honest there are probably not too many pictures posted on the internet that haven’t had some editing.  I know some will argue but I don’t really see the difference in HDR photography from someone who uses neutral density or graduated filters (i.e. Lee filters).

Even though I don’t shoot many any more, I still find Trey Ratcliff’s shots interesting and inspiring.  He also has great comments to go along with his shots.  Another photographer, Mark Neal shoots a lot of HDR and is great at discussing his workflow.  If you haven’t visited their sites, I would highly recommend you do.

This shot was taken in San Diego.  It was September and only weeks before I traded in my Canon 5D Mark II for my Leica M9.  My Leica can shoot HDR (can bracket up to 7 shots)  and I do from time to time but I’m more interested in shooting people in their daily lives and love the challenge of catching the decisive moment.

You want this?

I’ve been busy traveling the past few days and will continue to be busy throughout the remaining month.  Hopefully, I can at least post a new pic every other day.

Last week, I decided to sell my NEX-7 and move to the new Olympus OM-D.  Both are great cameras but the NEX-7 just doesn’t have the amount of lenses on the market.  Also, I really like the functionality of the OM-D.

Here is one of my first pictures taken with the Olympus OM-D with Panasonic’s 7-14mm lens.  When shooting landscape with this lens there is very little distortion but when you have a subject within inches of the lens you can see that it gives it a unique perspective.

 

Sitting by the street

I really enjoy catching unique moments.  I don’t shoot too many “posed” shots because they have less meaning (at least to me) and also to be honest you have to be very creative, especially if you want to shoot something different from others.

This was a shot I took last year of some friends of ours with their kids.  I was trying to catch a unique perspective.

My favorite food

We ran home for a quick visit with friends and family.  Any time we go home I always have to get pizza from Bobe’s Pizza.  Growing up I probably ate there at least twice a week.

After we finished eating, our daughter decided she would get on the table and try to entertain everyone.  Don’t worry she has vitamin bottles in her hands.

ISO 160 1/45 f/3.4 21mm super elmar

On the go

Recently I purchased Leica’s new 21mm super elmar.  All I can say is WOW!  The sharpness and minimal distortion is phenomenal.  Last, I love using “zone focusing“.  I just set my aperture and shooting distance and I’m ready to go.  If you set your aperture to f/8 (has to be a sunny day) and shooting distance to 5 feet, anything beyond 3 feet will be in focus.

This shot was taken from the hip.  This guy was definitely on the go.

ISO 160 1/250 f/8 21mm super elmar

Our Abby

I can’t recall if I have ever posted any pictures of our dog Abby.  We have a soon to be 12 year old Border Collie.  She was purchased from Wildblue Border Collies and was flown to us from Lubbock Texas.  She has been a phenomenal pet and is truly part of the family. She is probably the most docile dog I’ve ever met and has been fantastic having her around our baby girl.

This picture was taken a few years ago with my Canon 5D MarkII using a wide angle lens.

ISO 100 f/5.6 1/60s 17mm

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