Chuck Allen 10/8/18 Chuck Allen 10/8/18

Ricoh GR II - Window Shopping

I was strolling the streets of Old Town Temecula again recently with the Ricoh GR II in hand.

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.

Chuck Allen 1/31/18 Chuck Allen 1/31/18

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.

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.

Chuck Allen 5/8/17 Chuck Allen 5/8/17

Fuji X-Pro 1 - A Long Way From Home

This classic Aston Martin convertible is not that unusual - especially in Europe.

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

Chuck Allen 1/18/17 Chuck Allen 1/18/17

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.

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.

Chuck Allen 1/15/17 Chuck Allen 1/15/17

Leica Q - Time For A Drink

This girl was alone at the bar on a late Saturday afternoon in Old Town Temecula, California.

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.

Chuck Allen 7/30/15 Chuck Allen 7/30/15

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.

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.

Chuck Allen 4/12/15 Chuck Allen 4/12/15

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

Chuck Allen 3/30/15 Chuck Allen 3/30/15

Fuji X100T - Humanity

There's no shortage of humanity in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

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.

Chuck Allen 10/18/12 Chuck Allen 10/18/12

Fuji X-Pro 1 - NYPD's Finest

Standing guard, NYPD style, in the middle of Times Square.

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.

Chuck Allen 10/10/12 Chuck Allen 10/10/12

Fuji X-Pro 1 - Waiting

A lot of waiting in and around downtown Paris, France.

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.