New View Of An Old Favorite - Temecula Old Town
I've been wandering the streets of Old Town Temecula, California recently, mostly testing out new camera equipment.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II, f2.8, iso400, 1/8th Handheld
I've taken this shot several times over the years while walking the streets of Old Town Temecula, California, usually while testing camera equipment. Temecula became a city in 1989, but much of what exists today in Old Town existed over 100 years ago. It's only a few short blocks long, but is full of a rich and varied history. Although incorporated in 1989, the town is old, dating back 100+ years. The City Hall is new and about as modern and spectacular as it gets.
This is the most recent photo of the City Hall building that I’ve taken. The exterior lighting seems to change frequently, so it makes for a different look every time I visit it. I like the colors from this one the best. This is a simple snap, handheld. I did wait for just the right color of car to drive by however.
Nikon - Big Waves
Really big waves. Some of the biggest in the world.
Nikon D300S, f7.1, iso450, 1/2500 sec
Nikon D300S, f7.1, iso500, 1/2500 sec
I recently came across these pics from my archive of a few years past. Laird Hamilton and a guy I don't know catching good sized waves on December 8, 2009 at Jaws on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii. At least for me they would be good sized. For those guys, just another day at the office. The good news is - everybody made it out alive that day. All I had to do was sit on the cliff and take pictures. But I was worn out when it was over.
More from Hawaii here.
Ricoh GR II - Window Shopping
I was strolling the streets of Old Town Temecula again recently with the Ricoh GR II in hand.
Ricoh GR II, f/4, iso640, 1/40th
I was strolling the streets of Old Town Temecula again recently with the Ricoh GR II in hand. This handbag was inside a glass display. The shot was taken through a window, handheld. The Ricoh GR II has to be about the best camera ever made - for the price. This shot required no more than my usual 60 second workflow in Lightroom. No trip to Photoshop required. Look at the rich and true natural colors, the detail, especially for a handheld shot through glass at night. I have (and have had) significantly more expense camera bodies and lenses. I doubt I could have achieved any better result pulling out any of the 'big' gear. To see more street photos from Old Town Temecula, click here.
Fuji X100T - Buckets in San Miguel de Allende
There's no shortage of color in San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico, evidenced by these colorful buckets hanging on a wall in the middle of Centro de Ciudad.
Fuji X100T, f4, 1/1900s, iso200
There's no shortage of color in San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico, evidenced by these colorful buckets hanging on a wall in the middle of Centro de Ciudad. Many of the homes, storefronts, doors and windows are all painted similarly. It makes for a vibrant and alive feeling when strolling the streets.
Fuji X-Pro 1 - A Long Way From Home
This classic Aston Martin convertible is not that unusual - especially in Europe.
Fuji X-Pro 1
This classic Aston Martin convertible is not that unusual - especially in Europe. What is unusual is that this one was parked outside a cafe in Uzes, France one fall evening on a recent trip. Someone went to a lot of trouble to ship it from California, USA.
Camera: Fuji X-Pro1
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II - Temecula Old Town
I've been wandering the streets of Old Town Temecula, California recently, mostly testing out new camera equipment.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II, f2.8, iso250, 1/5th Handheld
I've been wandering the streets of Old Town Temecula, California recently, mostly testing out new camera equipment. Temecula became a city in 1989, but much of what exists today in Old Town existed over 100 years ago. It's only a few short blocks long, but is full of a rich and varied history. Although incorporated in 1989, the town is old, dating back 100+ years. The City Hall is new and about as modern and spectacular as it gets.
The photo here is a great example of the capabilities of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. I took this shot handheld, one take, simply waiting for the passing car to move into the field of view. 1/5th second without a tripod is no problem for the Oly E-M1 Mk II.
Fuji X100T - Quiet In San Miguel de Allende
Calle Hermanos Aldama on a quiet night in San Miguel de Allende. The view is looking north from Calle Terraplén.
Fuji X100T, f7.1, iso200, 8 sec
Calle Hermanos Aldama on a quiet night in San Miguel de Allende. The view is looking north from Calle Terraplén. The church in the background is La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. San Miguel de Allende is in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. It's a beautiful, quiet artsy town located in the heart of central Mexico. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the entire town. The streets, like seen here around 11:00PM, are almost always broom-swept clean. You'd have to search to find a piece of trash or other debris anywhere on the streets or sidewalks - at almost any hour of the day.
Camera: Fuji X100T
More from the San Miguel de Allende collection here.
Leica Q - Time For A Drink
This girl was alone at the bar on a late Saturday afternoon in Old Town Temecula, California.
Leica Q
This girl was alone at the bar on a late Saturday afternoon in Old Town Temecula, California. Looks like she needed a break after shopping. It seemed she was the only one in place at the time. This picture was taken from a sidewalk outside the bar, through a glass window. It's a real testament to the rendering ability and image quality of the Leica Q.
See more from Old Town Temecula here.
Ricoh GR II - Cool Glass in Seattle
The Chihuly Exhibit in Seattle, WA, USA showcases some of the most amazing glass art you'll ever see.
Ricoh GR II, f4, iso1000, 1/30 sec
The Chihuly Exhibit in Seattle, WA, USA showcases some of the most amazing glass art you'll ever see. The walk through the exhibit alone is a visual treat. Chihuly's work is journey into lines, forms, shapes, colors all blended perfectly together. This one struck me as it seems to be smiling at me. Not sure whether Chihuly planned it that way or not. But it works.
See more Chihuly in the Seattle collection here.
Ricoh GR II - Seattle, USA
So .. really? The blood moon in perfect position behind the Seattle Space Needle on that magical fall night of 2015?
Ricoh GR II @ f2.8, iso3200, 1/20 sec, Nikon D800E Moon @ f7.1, 800, 1.3 sec
Really? The blood moon in perfect position behind the Seattle Space Needle on that magical fall night of 2015? Well, sort of. That was the blood moon from that weekend in September, 2015. And I did take the shot of the Space Needle simply standing on the ground looking up with my trusty Ricoh GR II in hand. But I took the moon shot a few days later, when the red moon was good for viewing. So yeah, I put the moon in the Space Needle pic. Wouldn't win any contests. Unless it was a contest of compositing. Still pretty cool pic though.
More from Seattle here.
Ricoh GR II - Alone At Last
This couple was dancing to their own music inside an atrium at the Chihuly Gardens Exhibit in Seattle, WA.
Ricoh GR II, f2.8, iso1600, 1/30 sec
This couple was dancing to their own music inside an atrium at the Chihuly Gardens Exhibit in Seattle, WA. How they were the only two at that moment in a very public, world class exhibit is still a mystery.
More from the the Chihuly Exhibit in the Seattle collection here.
Ricoh GR II - Great Colors
One of my favorite cameras is the Ricoh GR II. It is the perfect example of the best camera you have is the one you have with you.
Ricoh GR II, f4, iso100, 1/80 sec
Ricoh GR II, f8, iso2000, 1/30 sec
One of my favorite cameras is the Ricoh GR II. It is the perfect example of the best camera you have is the one you have with you. Yes, I know, everyone in the world - at least the first world - has a smartphone with a camera. I have one. It's one of those that starts with an 'i'. It's not a bad camera. I'm just too old to be using my cell phone as a camera.
The Ricoh GR is about the same length and width as my phone that starts with an 'i'. But it's a little thicker. That's ok, because it still fits in a shirt or jacket pocket, has an APS-C 16mp sensor, a fixed, gorgeous 28mm wide angle f2.8 lens and quite frankly makes some of the best images I've ever seen. Believe me, I've spent way more money on all kinds of mainstream gear - and I still have most of that gear. But the Ricoh GR literally goes out the door with me every day, unless I'm going out to shoot something specific for assignment or to get paid so I can put some food on the table. Ok, to put some food on the table or buy some more camera gear. Even then, the GR goes with me.
It is arguably the best camera in its class, or nearly any class, for the $.
On this site, in the gallery 'Seattle', are images all taken over a few days 100% with the Ricoh GR II, handheld in natural light.
To see more from Seattle & the Ricoh GR II, click here.
Fuji X-T1 - San Diego Skyline
The San Diego Skyline on an early summer night.
Fuji X-T1, f13, iso200, 1/30 sec
The San Diego Skyline on an early summer night. The benefits of almost always having a camera with me. I tend to carry lighter gear these days. I have a bunch of mainstream, big, heavy and bulky gear. But I usually don't just leave the house with it unless I'm out for a specific assignment or project. I do usually have the light gear with me however. This time a Fuji mirrorless and a couple lenses. That allowed me to easily get this shot.
Camera: Fuji X-T1
Fuji X100T - Doors & Windows
These shots are from a trip to San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico in the spring of 2015. Everywhere you look there are colorful doors & windows.
These shots are from a trip to San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico in the spring of 2015. Everywhere you look there are colorful doors & windows. But not your average run-of-the-mill doors & windows. Apparently it's a local city requirement that all storefronts, house fronts, doors & windows have to be painted within certain color groups. I like it. I think we could use more of that in the USofA. It not only makes for a lively, colorful and bright community, it makes for great picture taking opportunities. Endless.
Camera: Fuji X100T
More from San Miguel here.
Fuji X100T - Humanity
There's no shortage of humanity in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Fuji X100T, f4, iso250, 1/125 sec
In the streets of San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico there are plenty of signs of humanity. It struck me that even the poorest of the poor shared some common traits. They were all clean, reasonably well-dressed, friendly, polite, seemingly content and were just trying to get through each day. They were happy for a kind word, perhaps a brief chat - even with my not-quite-fluent Spanish. They were certainly grateful for a few pesos. I was happy giving them some.
More from San Miguel here.
Fuji X-Pro 1 - NYPD's Finest
Standing guard, NYPD style, in the middle of Times Square.
Fuji X-Pro 1
On a recent trip to New York City, I spotted this NYPD officer standing guard in the middle of Time Square. He was a picture of calm in a sea of moving people and things. There is a excellent level law enforcement presence in New York City. It's a good thing, I think. Makes me feel very safe. It's but one of many reasons I love going to New York and wandering the streets, camera in hand.
More from New York here.
Fuji X-Pro 1 - Waiting
A lot of waiting in and around downtown Paris, France.
Fuji X-Pro 1
Fuji X-Pro 1
In and around Paris, France sometimes we're waiting for someone. Or missing someone. Sometimes we're waiting to get on the train. Sometimes we're waiting to get off the train. Sometimes we're waiting in the rain for a table. These photos are from the France gallery.
More from France here.