Tag Archives: LCD Screen

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

March 10th, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 & 35mm Find The Light … and Some Other Things

March 10, 2014 streetshooter 21 Comments

So Andre’ the XP1 and the 35mm 1.4 that thinks it’s a 50mm 1.4 and I went for a walk today. The weather started of around 37f and slightly overcast. For me it doesn’t matter cause I go out in anything but Andre’ has a bad attitude about getting wet. He’s got a cousin and it’s the unnamed XT1. Talk about a crazy camera….The XT1 loves getting dirty and wet and cold, whatever but the lenses…well….See, I’m from Philly and here we like things to match and get along…remember, Philly is the city of brotherly love….So, it just seems to me that if’n a camera is weatherproof…shouldn’t the lenses be also…I’m just sayin’. Don’t sweat friends, in no time Fuji will release the best dang weatherproof lenses ever…..you’ll see.

The 35mm is a monster lens but it’s also a gentle giant. I like all of youin’s love the detail, sharpness, contrast it provides. I also the the way it just seems to capture kinetic energy. I get into all kinds of things because I’m not a specialist in any kind of photography, I just specialize in responding to what I feel and see..well maybe see, sometimes see…wish i could see…hmmmm.

I gotta tell ya….if you leave your self open, the possibilities are endless. I mean, for me…it’s about responding to life. It’s about making photos and when looking at them, feeling excited for the next breath. Yeah, guilty as charged….I breathe photography. The shot right up there…yeah, that one and even the first one…they show an awareness of the subtleties of life and death. Geeze, I’d be lost if I had to only do one thing with my camera, maybe even just work in one genre’. Maybe that’s great for those that can and do but I’m not that guy.

I remember in 1970 we were outside of Chu Lai. It was Monsoon season and as the light started to fall so did the sounds of mortars and gunfire. I looked around me at the squad members and all were accounted for and in 1 piece, it was a good feeling. I had my poncho on and was leaning against a tree, knees up, M4 in hand under the poncho. Staying dry was impossible but I always kept my M4 dry. So the rain had stopped about 15 minutes before and the humidity was unbearable but just then the sky opened up.

I looked at the cloud formations and the ripples of light in the sky and it stretched as far as one could imagine. The color was from THE LORD and I felt blessed to be experiencing this miraculous vision. We all just looked in wonderment and felt that maybe, just maybe we could get back to base camp….together in 1 piece.

I looked at that sky and then I felt like THE LORD was shining a light for me to make a photo….Oh man, what a feeling…it was like an experience that one should remember for eternity. I raised the Leica with the 35cron and just as I put it to my eye….

I kinda heard a voice in my head and I thought it was THE LORD as he said….Schmuck, your shooting TRI-X.

Those are the kind of experiences that effect your life…or not! For me things like that leave me open to the possibilities of what ever life throws at me. If it sounds like I’m teaching, well maybe I am but I feel that we all have a responsibility to each other to broaden the horizons of each others minds. I get great pleasure when I help someone and I can see the light go on. IT’s as good as it gets.

What’s this got to do with the XP1 shooter…..? Okay, ok…hold dem dere horses…! It was early 70′ and I was in NYC at Ilya Bolotowsky’s studio. I was there to do a portrait of Ilya in his studio. We sat and drank tea and biscuits. I looked at his paintings and immediately saw a strong resemblance to Mondrian. Ilya explained that he knew Mondrian. He had a sad look in is heart and I felt that he was agonizing about this relationship all his life.

So as I sat with him, I saw this table with many brushes on it. I walked over to it and asked him why all the different brushes…(over 50). He said to me….Don…I pick up many brushes and they feel like great tools….then I close my eyes, I reach down for my friend and start painting. He said that he has never picked up a different brush first before his friend.

My cameras are not tools, Ilya, Harry Callahan, Minor White, Harry Bertoia and many more see to that….my cameras are my friends.

Have a good day and be truthful to yourself, even if others can’t see your truth…………………

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

March 9th, 2014 ….. The Fuji XP1 & X20 Teaches A Cop How To See The XT1

March 9, 2014 streetshooter 8 Comments

Ok, you all know I’m a little strange, great guy but strange. Check this out…… I didn’t have much time but I did hit the streets and el train for a little bit. Nothing out of the ordinary yet….right. Well, my neighbor the cop…is a friend and to protect him and his family, he’s just “The Cop” across the street. I told ya’s he got the XT1 and some sweet lenses. Well, before I left the house he showed up and was telling me how he doesn’t like the 23mm and the 60mm Macro. Tsk, Tsk I said……So to add a little fuel to the fire I showed him Andre’….XP1, remember….ok…. well he says that it looks like an old school camera like me but he’ll grant my wish and look at it.

I told him to be careful because the XP1 has a very addictive OVF and once one looks thru it, well…the sins of the DSLR world become evident. He smiled and then put Andre’ to his eye…. (shhhhh…whiles he’s doing this I’m thinking that I sure would like his 23mm yup! Well, a few minutes pass and I show him how the finder switches to EVF.

As we packed his XT1 in the box for return, he asked what else he needed for the XP1. I told him to get a thumb grip and an ACMAXX for the screen. He doesn’t do eBay so he placed the return order right away. He’s exchanging for the XP1. So we sat back and drank a beer and I asked him in a very uninterested way what he was going to do with the lenses. He suggested that I should get the 23mm and he would just make sure that everything was tidy on the credit card. Well, ya know…I don’t really need that stupid lens but if you really don’t need it, we can make a deal. Yeah…..ya know, maybe I shouldn’t have showed him the 18mm or 21 Skopar and especially the 15mm Heliar.

Now my friend the Cop is actually a seasoned ex-pro shooter. He sold all of his Canon stuff and that’s where he got the moniey for the move to Fuji. So we are sitting and starting our second beer. He’s got Andre’ in his hand and I can see he understands the camera immediately…all the sudden….Tanya enters the room. She’s standing looking at me like a mother would do to a child, par for the course. She immediately reminds me that I am in complete violation of the Russian/American Alcohol Consumption Treaty Act of 2007. I am made aware of the penalties of such act. I told her I had Law Enforcement on the scene to monitor behavior patterns. She told us both that there shall be no money exiting procedures from our bank account to the Cop’s. This includes the hidden photo account that she doesn’t know about but monitors.

So to keep peace in the home-front and as it turns out, both home-fronts…we decide to make some kind of a deal that goes un-noticed by the 2 female executive officers, otherwise named wives. So we know that we are not getting into beer #3 but if we are telligent menz, we can horse trade some kind of a deal to make each party happy.

The unnamed X20 is sitting on the table just minding it’s own business. It’s feeling out of sorts because the XT1 that won’t get a name because naming a camera is ludicrous according to the COP but is sitting next to the lucky one, Andre’ the XP1. He asked me what I use the little unnamed camera for. I stated, it’s in testing procedures for street, snap shot stuff but most importantly macro. Ahhhh, the garden…right? Yup, it does that better than any camera ever.

I also told him that the X20 was a natural FOV finder camera. I showed him how he could see the FOV of different lenses and one could test and find theirs with the little unnamed camera, the X20. So he asked to borrow the unnamed X20 for a little bit so he could test it out and make some decisions.

The unnamed X20 camera made all the photos in this post as part of preset development in the LightRoom Processing Department. I happen to be in charge of everything photographic because Tanya lets me be the CEO.

I know the Apple Store is around here somewhere….She is not amused….

So the unnamed X20 is on leave and Andre’ the XP1 is back to active duty. Somehow, I gotta make a deal for the Cop’s 23mm….all was going well until the the Cop knocked on y door…he said…yo Don…don’t you have an XE1?

That’s another story for another time…..

shooter out…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

March 7th, 2014 ….. The Fuji X20 Can’t Replace the Fuji XP1.. Nor Can The XT1

March 7, 2014 streetshooter 12 Comments

Let me start by saying that I appreciate the responses I got on the comment list and in emails. The X20 has not been named yet but is close. It’s ok, it sits on the shelf next to Andre’ and Ding and Garry. I’m sure that in a day or two a naming party will take place and of course all of you are more than welcome to attend.

Alessandro gave me an awakening with his comment about the X20 being a compact and I should let it act that way. I knew this from a year ago but it’s nice to get a kick in the butt to get back on track. I’m also working on presets again and the great thing about Lightroom over Nik is the HISTORY! I’ve written about that 100’s of times but now it was time to practice what I preached. I opened some files from my last X20 a year ago and low and behold….going to the history I could see the name of the preset and also the ability to save it. Unreal. Great news but…..I want to design a new set that works for every compact camera ever built or that will ever be built. White and my Meds gets me thinking like this…..yuch!

So when I got home today, my neighbor the cop grabbed me for a minute. Yo’ he said….check this out Don….. We are standing outside in the cold..it’s ok cause I gotz me long underwear on and I’m not cold but I have to release body fluids really bad…..he shows me a Fuji XT1 and a 23mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4, 56, 1.2 and 14mm. He’s got all this in a real nice Billingham Pro bag. Yeah, yeah, beautiful I said….nice…..(remember, he’s a married cop with kids…great guy but not a pro shooter…has no idea of street work other than busting the people I make photos of)….So he hands me the highly coveted XT1 with the 23mm on it. Well, 1st impressions are that I’m glad I have my XP1 and the XE1 and now the X20 and Rogers M240. I tried it out a little but I got this cramp in my lower bowels, no, not from holding back body fluid procedures….but that didn’t help…!

The XT1 is a fine TOOL for most people that are thinking about cameras as tools. For me, I am a visual poet and think of my cameras as friends, that’s why I name them and of course they named me also. So I instantly decided I would never get the XT1 butt!… I kinda have a hankering for that 23mm. I told him that the 23 was the worst lens in the Fuji lineup and that I’d gladly take it off his hands because a Cop with a wife and 2 kids deserves more than that. Well, he’s going for his inspectors test and kinda figured that I was trying to swindle him out of a really good lens. He said….I could cuff you for that but we’re tight…I said…can I use those cuffs tonight with Tanya…..after we both stopped laughing we parted company till the weekend cause I have to get these body fluids moving quickly.

I then left without the cuffs or the 23mm……………..

Sometimes people surprise me. I was walking on Market, of course and I saw a sight not yet recorded in the historical annuals of Philadelphia History. See, it’s a well known fact throughout the entire universe that Jersey Girls Have BIG HAIR! C’mon, even Bruce wrote songs about that…He knows, he’s from Jersey….so I’m walking with the not yet named X20 and there, there right in front of me was a sight never before recorded by the un named X20….a woman with BIG HAIR. At first I was nervous but then I saw a guy looking at me for the support I sought from him…..we both assed each other and with a grin, we both realized…Jersey Girls are planning to invade the streets of Philly, The City of Hopes.

FOV

I keep going back and forth with my “N at u r a l” FOV. I mean I found out a long time ago that mine really was 35mm. Yet, in this time period I might be thinking that it has changed to 28mm. I say that because 28mm has dominated my cameras for a good period of time and I certainly FEEL that FOV. Most say that one should be able to work with any FON, of course it’s true but that doesn’t find your natural FOV.

How To Find Your Natural FOV

……… so we are walking and trying to find our lost photos…then something grabs at you and you know you just found one. You look at the scene and decide where the frame should be and you raise the camera…….as you look thru the finder or at the screen…..OH MY! the camera has framed way to much of the scene or maybe way to little of the scene. WHY?!

Because you haven’t found and utilized your Natural FOV. It’s not the fault of the scene, no…it’s not even the camera’s fault, no…it’s your fault. It’s your fault because you chose the scene and you even chose the lens but you didn’t know your natural FOV. When you look thru the finder or screen, that view should be as close as possible to the FOV the lens is seeing. For me, it’s now 28mm, used to be 35mm and probably still is making 28mm an adapted natural FOV. So what this means is that the lens is seeing about what your eyes are seeing from the same stance. Not having to move when the camera is at the ready because you and the camera/lens are on the same FOV. Of course you don’t have to believe me and you can do things the way you want, far be it from me to impose any restrictions on what you do but I guarantee if you take the time to discover your natural FOV then you will know what other lenses to work with because that FOV will present itself in your images.

Ok, back to the camera thing. Every camera has a duty that makes it the one for particular work. For me, the XP1 is about as good as it will ever be. The XE1 is a nice camera but our love affair is coming to an end…not yet but soon. The X20 is a Grit Machine as verified by many of my friends and some even pointed out in the comments region of this blog. Roger’s Leica’s don’t interest me because of the financial value they maintain. Oh, don’t get it wrong…I love Leica and always did but the Streets are different now then back in the day of my younger years and it’s not safe for me to carry or use them on the streets or public transportation. So everything has it’s place in the order of Streetshooter World of Photography and I’m very content the way things are.

There’s only one pressing item to clear up and shortly at that. The International, Intercontinental, Intergalactic official naming of the Fuji X20 here on Earth on Montour Street in Philadelphia.

So, please continue to submit your suggestions and by the end of the weekend, the name shall be selected BY VOTE if I can figure that out and the coveted Grand Prize of a preset pack thusly awarded to the winner. There was an executive decision made that awards all entrants a smaller version of the Coveted Preset Pack just for entering the contest.

Go in Peace and Pray for Peace in the parts of the World where there isn’t any! ………………….end transmission…………………..

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

March 5th, 2014 ….. Enter The Fuji X20 ….. Again!

March 5, 2014 streetshooter 38 Comments

If you go back to last year on my blog post, you’ll see that I had an X20 and was very excited about it. I do remember developing a set of presets for it but alas…they are in digital oblivion. So I have to start all over again. Anyway, Olivier sent me the X20 because he could and John the DC Shooter sent me a package with goodies to finish the camera off.

So I took the X20 out for a walk and we ran into some photos I missed with my other cameras. I’ll post them on this post but have to improve the IQ to suit my needs.I remember the camera as being a GRIT Machine and that’s ok within reason but it’s important to be able to clean up the files also.

As a street camera the X20 opens up a few possibilities. First off of course is the addition of as Zoomie lens. It covers 28mm – 112mm. The interface is the usual Fuji layout. You don’t have to fight with the X20. It just works with you and supports what you are trying to do with it.

I haven’t names it yet but I’m thinking of Walker again. Of course Walker is after Walker Evans. Dunno, not sure but I am open for suggestions.

How’s this……: You the loyal faithful readers of this blog…if you post a name in the comments and it gets selected, then I’ll name the camera after the name you submitted and send you a real good set of presets. So, get that brain cell working and submit your name for the X20.

That solves that issue. The streets in Philly are cold, windy and in a state of numbness, not because of the weather directly but because of the weather indirectly. It’s taking a toll on me and the other Market Street Dwellers.

It’s not everyday in Philly you see a woman wearing a Leica 240 and a 35mm Cron. She wears it well but her choice of a hat is definitely not Leica. Tsk…Tsk….!

Inspiration is not where you think it is or even should be. I used to love to teach workshops in the winter and then my DR at the VA said I was maybe crazier then they thought. After a few years, now I see the light and it ain’t the winter light either.

The responsibility of a teacher, mentor or friend to a shooter is to provide stimulation, inspiration, some answers and of course more questions. I now at 64 feel inadequate to fulfill this mission in the winter. It’s not the actual age that hinders me but the knowledge I’ve accumulated in those years. I know that I am more self inspired in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Notice the Winter is excluded…..! I have a hard time even doing my responsibilities at Flickr and forums. I try but I’m more withdrawn and feel that one should be as honest as possible when providing inspiration to another. Oh….sorry…the Fuji X20.

I think Olivier knew I was on a soft slide down. Oh, I do what I need to do for the Magazine but for myself, not much. He sends me the camera to inspire me and of course I’ll have to spend time making Presets and by the time it’s all satisfying…the weather will have changed and I’ll be off and running once again.

Don’t think fer a second that I’m depressed….no way….uh uh…ain’t nuttin like that! I just am tired of the weather dictating how and what I should wear, make photos of, spend my time on the street,etc…..

I’ll be back…….. Don’t forget to drop a name in the comment box and collect your set of presets…..

Peace………….all over ok……….!

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

March 3rd, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 and 35mm 1.4 … Kills The Fuji XT1…) for Me!

March 3, 2014 streetshooter 13 Comments

Let me start by saying that some of this was written yesterday and some of it today. Eh…who cares….

I had to get my Dreamcatcher stuff posted first because of such high public demand. Just kidding but not really. These images sell more than anything else from my artsy fartsy collection. These were all made with the XP1 and the 35mm 1.4. It’s a chore for me because I don’t like the 50mm FOV but yet with the XP1….it’s very natural. I use the OVF 90% of the time and the screen the rest and of course somewhere in my demented mathematical equation, the EVF works in.

So there’s much talk about the new kid on the block. Oh yeah…it’s all over the net and all over the world. The Fuji XT1 is going to break records. I don’t know which records but I’m told big stuff…wait and see. Well….here in Northeast Philly on Montour Street, in the back room that’s converted to an office but nobody works in it just me and it ain’t work if you love it but anyway…..here…the XT1 will never make an entrance. It’s shunned and not allowed to make a presence. Andre’ the XP1 and Ding the XE1 have decided that …we doin’ need no stinking camera with a center mounted evf that looks like a SLR from the days long gone but they ain’t long gone cause many still like that form but here …. we don’t!

The Form Factor

I don’t think the form factor of the XT1 is something I find attractive, in fact I know it isn’t. I’m not going to make a realtime comparison between the XT1 and XP1 but I do want to get a few things off my chest. I speak for my self and whoever else is in my head at the time of this writing but you may just find some stuff to think about. That hump on tomp of the body is something I find totally repulsive. Because of that, I can’t wrap my head around it.

It’s a know fact, at least here in Philly that photography is about seeing. More importantly, seeing at the precise moment of exposure…The Decisive Moment…ring a bell? Now this isn’t just about the moment of exposure but maybe a few seconds leading up to it. On the street, avenues, alleys etc, there are many puzzles to find and to try to put together to make your photos. Many elements work together in either positive or negative energy and many times both together that make up your photos.

The ability of the shooter to se these parts before and during exposure is something that has to be recognized as most important. So what happens is something like this: You spot something of interest and you feel a photo ready to be born. You look and then when you think things are either really close or are at it’s peak….you raise the camera to the eye…frame, then shoot. See, here’s where I take issue. With the XP1, this is how I most times do things: I raise the camera to the eye and…I can see my frameline and then I squint the right eye looking thru the finder and open the left eye…this immediately allows me to see the elements outside the frameline and decide if my crop is complete or I need to rethink the frame. Of course, this happens really fast and the hidden elements outside the frame are exposed and I can be more precise in the statement I am trying to make.

This is something every Leica M shooter knows about and probably does. This is not something that should be dismissed or taken for granted…it’s actually lifesaving at times. Yeah, yeah….what about that parallax thing shooter? So what! Things like that are not intrusions, they are things to keep the mind awake and to keep it off AP…(auto pilot). Now I’m not saying that the EVF isn’t a good thing, not at all I’m just saying that all things being equal, the OVF is better for me.

I gotta come back to this but I feel it’s like beating a dead horse. Many shooters understand this stuff and many haven’t a clue. It’s ok, I stated on the get go that the XP1 killed the XT1 for ME! Ya know….the difference between the OVF and the EVF is as strong as the EVF against the LCD screen……WHAT!!!!!!!

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

March 2nd, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 Battles Winter Boredom

March 2, 2014 streetshooter 5 Comments

It’s the start of March and we here in Philly brace for yet another snow storm. This time the y predict about 12″. Now let it be known that I might be the only person in the Philly region that likes Spring and Summer, even Fall but Winter….well…I’ll leave that to the others, whosoever they be. I feel totally inspired to work but my mind and body don’t see things the same way. Non of the parts that make me are in agreement about Winter. Fact of the matter is…..I hate it, most of my parts do. I always did. I always will. The only thing that keeps me going is watching the weather and hoping for warmer weather but….and that’s a big BUTT! I still need to work and make photos just because that like breathing is something I have to do.

Winter brings slim pickens and I am grateful for what ever the XP1 can find. Luckily enough the XP1 has a good AF setup because I trust it as I can’t focus on anything. I guess that’s why I named it Andre’. Just because the camera can enlighten me when the darkness sets in. As long as I’m finding photos and making them, I feel somewhat productive. The doldrums of the cold and snow take it’s toll on my creative energy. I depend on Andre’ to find the light that will shed it’s warmth on my Eye, Heart and MInd.

He is a worthy companion and often presents me with photos that may not be representative of my finest hour but they sometimes don’t have to be, they just need to keep the spark of life breathing through the winter hibernation.

In Philly, some people are so lost from the cold that they just sit on chairs on the street in search of the beach that lives in their mind. It doesn’t matter as all Philadelphian’s understand that and are sympathetic to the cause. Shooters are sparse this time of the year. They find excuses not to go out and just work on their photos from past days and wait till the weather warms the concrete enough to start humping again. Andre’ the XP1 doesn’t really care about the weather. With the adjustable DR, he can adapt better than most to the sometimes harsh light and contrast. That’s why I let him lead me to the light because I can’t see where I am or even think about where I need to go let alone take control.

It’s the weekend here in Philly and I am already anticipating the new storm. No, not the Snow Storm but the Storm called Inspired Eye. Now that the current issue is released, it’s time to get to work on the next one. As time consuming as it is, I feel that it must continue and support the community. Anyway, I need more Kona and have to get on my way…where too, dunno but somewhere and of course Andre’ is all ready to show me the light.

………………shooter out……………………………….

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

February 28th, 2014 ….. Issue 7 Inspired Eye is Released!

February 28, 2014 streetshooter 4 Comments

Here’s the link for the new issue……get it while it’s hot…. www.theinspiredeye.net

Enjoy your weekend and I’ll be posting again on Monday now that I’m out of the hot seat.

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

February 25th, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 And The Dreamcatcher

February 25, 2014 streetshooter 10 Comments

Andre’ (XP1) woke me early this morning and he was nervous. Apparently the Fuji XP2 is being designed and he’s concerned that he would be replaced by the youngster. I told him not to sweat it because regardless of what the new kid in town has, he is still and will always be a good friend and be up to the task.

I’m a street shooter and because of that, I work on different themes or series all the time. I know my trigger mechanisms but remain open to something new. I don’t like to be predictable and I don’t like to lose the sense of wonder and excitement. So, the way I work is to let my images find me. Of course I have to know how to help them along and Andre’ is the biggest support I have.

The Dreamcatcher Series get’s it’s start around 1978. I started using Kodak Infrared film and designed a developer to go along with it. Then, to follow suite, I mixed a print developer so that everything was in sync. There was just something in the way the tones reproduced and read. I really fell in love with it and I started carrying 2 M4’s. One with TRI-X and one with Infrared.

Enter the digital revolution. It was a revolution for me as the war waged between my darkroom and computer and Leica’s and digicams. It took a few years to make the transition. As I look back at my history, I see that the Dreamcatcher Series is most responsible for the transition from Film to DNG. Presets man, Presets! I had always been a very good printer in the darkroom and I thought that meant a look in the photo. So, preset baking became a part of what I do.

Ya know…it’s all about your frame of mind on the street. What’s important is understanding your motives and intent and having a clear definition of your history so that as you walk into uncharted territory, you at least have an idea of what you’d like to find. For me, one of the things I seek is the Dreamcatcher and it’s with the XP1 and hopefully will be for a good long time.

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

February 22nd, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 & 18mm …..The Trick and Other Ramblings From The Street.

February 22, 2014 streetshooter 5 Comments

XP1 18mm 1/250 f/5.6 ISO 6400 DR100

So I was returning a ZIPCAR to it’s home in Center City and decided to drive down Kensington Avenue. I had the XP1 and the 18mm on because it’s the most natural FOV I have. I never have to guesstimate a frame, I just raise the camera and it’s usually 90% on target. So I was cruising and I felt like a John looking for a Trick. Then as I approached the Lehigh Avenue Bridge, I see this girl walking underneath. It’s a famous spot for picking up girls that need money for whatever. I know about this because I am a man of culture, well…street culture. I was working on a series out there at night time photographing the dealers, hookers, thieves even many cops that I know. Anyway, I realized that i finally found my trick and she made a nice shot for me. Hey…hey…photo only, ok!

Fuji XP1 18mm 1/250 f/8 ISO 320 DR100

I got a thing for Icons, most will trigger me. You can read what you want in this shot as it’s open to viewer interpretation. For me, it’s just a continuing “Sign Of The Times”. The thing about the 18mm is that it lets me get close and I love that. Most times when I use a different focal length, I feel restricted. So much so that the restriction starts on loading the lens on the camera. Last night I put the 35mm 1.4 on and was excited about using it this morning. So, I came into the back room that’s not my photography office but just a converted room for whatever Tanya wants to do with it. As I entered my office, I could see Andre’, my XP1, starting to get excited about going on a walkabout. My friends in OZ tell me that, that’s what I do, I go on walkabouts. As I drew closer to Andre’, he looked somewhat put off. He winked at me thru the OVF, cameras can’t wink from the EVF, must be an OVF. I got the message. See, he’s a real gentleman and he didn’t want to upset the other lenses on the shelf but he wasn’t going anywhere without the trusty 18mm. So I pulled the 35mm 1.4 off and placed it on the shelf. Then as the 18mm was being loaded on Andre’, I could feel that he was right and things were better this way.

XP1 18mm 1/250 f/8 ISO 400 DR100

I always ask the homeless when I can if they go to a shelter. Many do but many also say, it’s not safe and they will take their chances on the street.

remember many years ago that I was shooting as a freelancer for the Bulletin Newspaper here in Philly. I guess it was around 1974. I was home from Nam already and the Editor Jack, felt safe that I could handle myself out there. So I spent a month on the street. I just had my M4, 35mm Cron and bunches of Tri-X. There was a section around 8th & Vine that was called The Bowery or Skid Row. I got into a few scraps but nothing serious. I slept where the bums, (The city leaders called these homeless people BUMS). Ok, I’m a bum now too I thought. I met a white guy that appeared to be about 45 or so. One of the guys told me to talk to him cause he’s real interesting. Turns out he was a Doctor. He did all the medical things he could for the guys and gals and I asked him one day what the heck he was doing there.

He said he was from Bryn Mawr and he caught his wife cheating on him. They had 3 kids. I said, so get a damn divorce. He replied, never, it would cost me more that it cost now. I live on the street because I want to, I want her to suffer as much as I am and when the money runs out, I won’t care. I asked about his kids and he said they will never want for anything. I found many interesting stories out there and many. many powerful photos.

When I see a person like this, above….my heart and mind go right back to 1974.

XP1 18mm 1/250 f/8 ISO 640 DR100

Dreams come in many shapes and thoughts and ideas. I saw this woman with her 2 kids and I thought, what would of happened if I didn’t get a divorce from my kids mother? Simple answer is probably I wouldn’t be shooting my XP1 or playing my Strat’s and Tele’s. The kids are fine so……end of that…!

XP1 18mm 1/250 f/8 ISO 320 DR100

I was looking thru the glass that was sweating and I saw this woman looking back at me. I was flattered of course, I ain’t stupid but not flattered enough to miss the shot. She walked to me and asked if she could see what I took. I told her, I didn’t too anything, I made a very nice photo of you. When she asked if I could send her a copy, of course I was flattered again. Funny what young woman can do to the process……

XP1 18mm 1/250 f/8 ISO 4000 DR100

So I’m walking to 2nd Street to get on the Elevated to go home. I walked up on these 3 gals and of course I asked if I could make a photo. I very rarely do that. But I had to this time.

They were flattered and I asked them to move to this window about 5′ away. I made the photo, 1 shot and they asked what I would do with it. I said, I’ll submit it to the Most Beautiful Gal on Market Street Contest. The one in the center blushed and asked me if I knew what was up with them. Of course I said, but your right….Tranny’s aren’t allowed to enter the contest…YET! They all smiled and called me cute…..well, it’s all in a daze on the street.

Have a good weekend…..

Black & White, Color, Dreamcatcher, Garden, Inspired Eye, Off Street, Philosophy of Street, Photography, Street, Street Photography, Street Presets, Streetshooter, Uncategorized

February 20th, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 Street Shots with the 15mm Heliar

February 20, 2014 streetshooter 1 Comment

So I’m standing on John F Kennedy Blvd around 15th Street and I’m minding my own business talking to Olivier on the iPhoney 5. Well, Andre’, Andre’ is my Fuji XP1 and youse all know that ’cause you read my blog on a regular basis, anyway he’s starting to shake and vibrate in my hand. I have to talk with Olivier I said to him but he insisted that I pay attention to him. So my thumb got to the soft release and I started to look…..Andre’s told me that he would handle the framing and exposure, all I had to do was press the shutter when he said to. After a few seconds this guy comes into the scene and I can see my reflection but more that that, I can see the photo as I am bout to make. then all the sudden….CLICK!

I’m prepping for a workshop soon and one of the things I push and push hard is JUXTAPOSITION. It’s a multi-faceted concept but one I feel is most important to learn. The above is an example I know will bring up ideas and conversation.

Whats very cool about the XP1 with the 15mm Heliar is how close you can get to things and even crazy people. I’m right under this guy and I used the OVF. I can see the 4 corner brackets to frame and my experience is they are accurate but with the 15mm, it’s off on the right side. I’m not anal about this sort of thing and if you are, flip the lever and use the EVF. So I saw this guy doing his thing and all the people except me were moving away from him. I mean they were really getting space and that was good for me as I could move in close like I try to do in this situation. Well,as I was walking I set the aperture to f/5.6 and bent down right in front of him….I’m quick and I try not to rush at all….so I was taking my time and this guy never knew I was close enough to him to smell the Coors Light coming from his breath.

Color doesn’t really excite me but I am open minded to what it brings to the image. Eh…sometimes ya have to surrender to the voice of the photo no? Well, ifI have to do color, at least it’s my favorite dominate. I’m telling ya, I was so close to this guy that I didn’t realize it until I looked off camera. I used the EVF here so I can’t see anything but thee screen. So I backed up again and moved to where the color worked and the sign related to the man and then I waited for him to see me and as he looked …..CLICK. In a second he asked, “how do ya like the XP1? I was in shock…I mean how could he have known about Andre’? Si I handed him the camera and he smiled and I mean really smiled. He asked how much and I explained the about price and directed him to a store to get it. I gave him a list of mush have lenses and he was happy and so was I.

My Dreamcatcher series is developing very nice and I have a very good response and print sales. So whenever I get the chance, I ….CLICK.

Tomorrow is another day and the weather promises rain and warm temps………..

Street Photography Chronicles by Don Springer