Back to the beginning, Olympus OM-10: dltphoto

Many, many, many years ago I had gifted to me, by my oldest brother, my very first SLR. The Olympus OM-10 with the 50mm Zuiko 1.8 lens. WOW. I remember first getting it, sure it was used but it was in mint condition and I was thrilled. A real camera. This is where it all began.

Recently I acquired a Mint Condition OM-10. As luck would have it it seems to work perfectly. The 50mm lens is a little cloudy from maybe moisture or mildew but nothing one will ever see in the images.....

I can easily recommend one of  these cameras as a teenagers first REAL camera. Simple, small. Sure it uses film but then film has been fine for  most of it's long history and out of my roll of 36 I only had one that was an instant throw away due to my error. With scanners getting more available and cheaper its not terrifically hard to get them digitized should you need to or just find a friend with a scanner (Wink Koopmans).

Mount Fujifilm: dltphoto

Once upon a time manufacturers encouraged me to sell a certain cameras with the lure of reaching a target and securing a free camera for myself. Of course there is a dilemma to this process since you could ultimately be pushing a product of which you are not entirely comfortable with but in this case the Fuji F200 EXR was something I wanted and it didn't disappoint.

Now that I am on a career change I find myself less able to carry around larger cameras on a daily basis, but this little gem can go with me almost anywhere. I see many beautiful early mornings and usually I am a passenger in a vehicle so I am able to capture snaps through the window and its a great all purpose walk around for candids. The only thing I wished it had would be the ability to shoot in RAW, but I guess then I should buy the Fuji X20!!! #youcanthaveeverything. wait, does hashtagging work here?

It's all good: dltphoto

Here are two very similarly shot images with two very different formats. One shot with the timeless Olympus OM-10 with a  Zuiko 50mm 1.8 and the other with my trusty Nikon 1 V1 with the 70-200 2.8 VR.

I remember not so long ago that a potential Bride told me to "get with the times" when I informed her I shot with both film and digital, at that time.
Both of these images have great characteristics, the Fuji Neopan film I used was old and I have found it to be kind of low contrast but amazingly smooth grain. The digital is obviously more contrasty and a little sharper, that doesn't surprise me. I can see why people still enjoy the purity of film, really as old as the technology is it is still able to compete in so many ways. People who dismiss film so quickly are misinformed about it, film camera's are everywhere and are cheap. Sure there is no instant gratification but whats wrong with waiting a little bit? Out of my roll of 36 I only had one bad image. Out of your last 36 shots from your digital camera did you keep all 36? or did you delete a lot of them?

APAC Submissions, September 2013 : dltphoto

It's that time again folks. It quickly snuck up on me since I have been so busy juggling my new career and such. In fact I was in such a rush to get images in by the 8pm deadline that I just grabbed three images without much time for consideration, we'll see how I fare up! One new thing they have added this year other than a few different categories is the adjudicator's being able to give half points, so instead of a "Deep Six" there is now a chance of 6.5!!

This months Adjudicator is Rick Shapka, here is the brief info we were given before our submissions were due.

 

"Rick Shapka began his formal photographic training about 2002

by completing diplomas in photography at Focal Point, as well as art history at UBC. In addition, Rick completed workshops with a number of master photographers including Joe McNally, Jay Maisel, Jean Miele, Dan Burkholder, Freeman Patterson, Andre Gallant, Eddie Soloway, and Tony Sweet.

Rick spends his time with photography in and around Vancouver as well as traveling extensively to make pictures. His recent photographic journeys include Arizona, the Palouse, Moab Utah, Vancouver Island, New Brunswick and Namibia.

He photographs the landscapes, the people and has a particular interest in HDR and abstract photography."

First up is the Assigned topic which is "textures". Fortunately I had this one ready to go from my instagram account, originally shot by the trusty Nikon 1 V1 and filter applied via instagram.

Asigned Texture,"Red, White and Blue", score 7.5

Then on to the exhibition section. I choose two images from my most recent shooting, since I was in a big hurry! Both from the Nikon 1 V1, and yes I do have a DSLR but the little Nikon is just so wonderful ( please don't cancel them Mr Nikon). No fancy edits done to these images, basic Raw conversion only.
Not entirely sure I put them in the best category but well...whatever!

Landscape "Lady of the Lake", score 7.5

Portrait, "Night Floating", score 7.5

So I scored the Perfect "Mr Average", 7.5 all the way through. His scoring wasn't wild as compared to some but he rarely fluctuated from the .5's, which I guess will be the new trend. We'll see next month!!!

it's been done: dltphoto

Some people have issues about doing something that's already been done!

Check out the talented version of this image.

Sunrises :dltphoto

On the other side of the fence we have Sunrises. These are often overlooked as we commonly choose to sleep through them, but interesting things are happening out there under very interesting lighting. Its good to get up early....

Chilliwack Flight Fest :dltphoto

Now, I am no expert in photographing Airplanes in the sky, but here are a few of my efforts using the Nikon 1 V1 and the awesome Nikkor 70-200 VR. A combination which I found incredibly hard to use. I think an Airshow is better suited to a DSLR or just left to the pro's!! I was really happy to see the Spitfire fly, that was kinda epic due to it's historical importance for the Battle of Britain . Even though it was dressed in Czech colours I believe this once served under the British Airforce.
Chilliwack Flight Fest 2013

Sunsets :dltphoto

Sunset shots have been well documented over the years, generally viewed as a nice wide angle shot covering a great vista/ panoramic. Some sunsets aren't always that dramatic but by picking out a smaller area of the larger picture we can create our own drama. Here are a few images from our "Sunset View" campsite which usually yields some unbelievable sun downs, but this year was fairly tame by it's normal standards.

Omer R Cordell/ Seventh frame Photography: dltphoto

A real loss for the film photography clique, as it is becoming. My good mate, Omer R Cordell, is hanging up the Canon gear and by hanging up I mean selling off. This is tragic. Omer's ability to create unbelievable images with film has been, well... Unbelievable. Understanding light and working most often with very little with film is very challenging. We are now seeing amazing images with digital cameras which  have unbelievable low light capability but the users doesn't have to be particularly gifted .
 Omer didn't have those opportunities and he didn't need them or want them. When you know the film and you understand the light, all you need is the patience and timing.  Glad to have helped him shoot many, many bands throughout his career and have watched him grow into one of the premier live shooters. Why oh why didn't some quality music magazines hire him, fortunately he made some friends in the music biz and can been seen in many posts at Metal rules, plus he has pretty much been the personal photographer for bands such as Fear Factory and the Devin Townsend Band. I am sure if you want to google images "seventhframe photography" or "Omer R Cordell Photography" you'll find much of his work scattered around.
On the other hand we can enjoy Omer's new adventure, Trailight Music.
Good Luck chap and I can loan you a film camera if you ever need one!

 Shot By Me!!

Fantastic Plastic: dltphogr.am

http://instagram.com/p/bsJcDOq3zM/

Take a seat, relax! :dltphogr.am

http://instagram.com/p/bOoKBBq392/

One Sunny Morning:dltphoto

Here are just a few randoms from a recent early morning stroll in some industrial type areas.

Smelling the Roses: dltphogr.am

http://instagram.com/p/auUXNsK33_/

It's still an Epic: dltphoto

Well I was gifted an excellent camera from Mr Koopmans, an Olympus Stylus Epic, or known as the Mju in Europe). Many moons ago I owned one of these splendid little camera's that I bought from the Duty free shops in the Port of Ashdod, Israel whilst on my first Cruise Ship the "Sapphire". I ended up giving to my mother if I recall and moved on to other cameras but I still had a passion for it! Really so simple and so convenient, even today and yes, it shoots film. Don't be afraid people. Film isn't a disease. It doesn't really cost as much as people think and it gives unbelievable results. Try it, you might like it! For this first roll I used the marvelous Kodak Ektar 100 which has really fun saturation!

APAC Submissions, June 2013: dltphoto

This is the last month for photoclub before we take our summer break and hit our new year in September. This also sees the end of the current Presidents tenure. Gerry H has been excellent and I have very much enjoyed his direction and enthusiasm. I am sure that being the President of such a large photoclub has it's ups and downs and I hope he is able to come back and do it again sometime. Thanks Gerry. Also I would like to thank all the other excellent volunteers.

The adjudicator was Allen Bargen, sadly. He and I don't see photography the same way. You all have seen my work, feel free to look at his.
Clearly CAPA rules dominate his scoring. Personally, I think the capa rules are too restricting. If we all do what they want then we wouldn't be artists, we would be conformists.... Anyways, before I start to get too deep into this train of thought lets just look at the images.


First the assigned topic, "Fog".
I originally had an image I wanted to use and which I even printed, but I couldnt think of a great title and the image wasn't too inspiring to me. So at the last second I switched it for this image. Again my title sucks but I enjoy this image better, I don't have a printed version so it'll be a projection only for this one.

fog and wires, score (  21 out of 30 )

Next I choose to do two print images. Our projector at the club is kind of hit and miss so I felt I should print some this time as printing is the safest way for the adjudicator to view what you want them to see.

Portrait, "instrumental passion",  Score 8 out of 10

This is a nifty shot of my friend Omer Cordell, a talented musician and photographer. We had to shoot some images of him for his Bass endorsers. I found this to be one of my "winning" shots, alas not for the adjudicator. Its a barely edited image with some minor lightroom adjustments. My normal,

Lats up was another Macro attempt.

Macro, "shades of yellow", score 7 out of 10

Now I am sure that a real macro shooter would want better depth of focus in the shot but that's really not me or my style. This was with my Nikon 1 V1 and the 60mm Macro lens. I am more of an abstract type macroist! He didn't choose to talk about any of my images and actually I am fine with that. Personally I would choose to ignore his comments.

Oil leak :dltphogr.am

http://instagram.com/p/ZmEKcyK34O/

Favourite Shot, April 2013: dltphoto

Nikon 1 V1 with 70-200 2.8VR

I had to perch awkwardly, whilst looking up, on some slimey rocks right next to a murky river to to get this shot. Textures and the Confusion make it an image I wanted to share as my favourite shot for April.

Photowalk May 2013: dltphoto

A few photographer friends decided it time for a little get together and have a wonder with our cameras. We picked a very uninspiring place that we have all been to a million times, at least it's not that inspiring to us as we live here. But that is some of the fun. Find something that you haven't found before. I have shot a ton of weddings at the City Hall area but never any with just me and my camera's and a little imagination. Thanks to those who showed up. I had a great time!

Here are a few of my favourites, in no particular order.

Textures: dltphoto

Recently I have had a little thing for textures. Inspiration came from shooting "letters" for the APAC Blog header.
Some shot with my Nikon 1 V1 and an assortment of Nikkor Lenses, others from my Android Phone

APAC Submissions, May 2013

I wasn't expecting much for this months entries. It was kind of a last minute rush to get them entered. They are images I wanted to submit but may have fared up better with a non-Capa adjudicator. (this just in, here's the Judges Website.) All images were shot the Nikon 1 V1.

Assigned "Trees", 'Bench', score 19

No surprises that I didn't do well with this. I like the feel of it though.

Favourite Shot, March 2013: dltphoto

Amongst the many I shot since I picked up my new Nikon 1, I think for March this is my favourite shot. The light is very interesting and the metal works well against the concrete of the bridge support. Its a super narrow field of view shot with the nikkor af-s 70-200 2.8G.

Hard to tell without a great reference point of how close the lens was able to get me but here's a "scene" type shot from the short end of that zoom lens (70mm) all be it a little further down the road

1 plus 60= 162: dltphoto

Nikon 1 plus 60mm Macro lens equals 162mm focal length. resulting in closeup!
Here is a simple shot with no effects just simple macro handheld and mildly edited in Lightroom. Really the Nikon 1 Camera is fantastic. No complaints so far.

Favourite Shot, February 2013: dltphoto

Not every shot I take is a visual masterpiece. Sometimes images aren't necessarily about an award winning composition or the rule of thirds etc.... Quite often they are a memory, hopefully a fond one. This months favourite image was one I can't forget as it was a birthday present for my wife from her sister. She giggled at it for quite sometime. A happy moment.

Step Down Ring :dltphoto

Since coming to Canada I was very fortunate to have found the position in the Camera shop where I have worked very happily for 12 or so years. I have progressed within the store and finally for the last couple of years I have been the manager.  I joke and suggest I am the "Survivor" since I am the only one who remains from the original store opening team. Probably just means I am the saddest. Due to some business issues, which are far out of my control, I have had a change of mind, career wise.  I am starting at a trade which should be more secure and something that I can rely on to support my family and my camera habit. This post is meant to inform my "3" blog readers that this is the end of my tenure as Manager. (step down, haaa.)

The 20 years I have invested in the art of photography aren't going to go to waste. I still have the need/want to shoot and create images that I enjoy with varying types of camera's and also to teach people how to use their camera's and learning the importance of light with flash. I just don't have the want to be in the failing camera sales industry where people can buy equipment from Best Buy or alike and not learn anything about that product from the person whom is selling it, they just buy it there because its $3 cheaper or even the same price. That same issue applies to people who find the need to buy it online. You are hurting your local economy no matter your justification. There is a HUGE need stores like this and our team of camera experts. Sadly, a lot people can't see the value in our experience hence the reason why Jessops in the U.K. closed, that and the manufacturer's creating such low profit margins . This bothers me immensely.

Nikon Flash Class, May 15th 2013: dltphoto

On May 15th I will be teaching  a beginners class about Nikon's impressive CLS ( Creative Lighting System) Flash System. We will be walking through the setup basics, manual vs TTL, multiple flash's and some good hands on time with a few simple flash arrangements.
Why should you learn how to utilize flash? and why would you want it to be wireless? and how much flash is enough flash?

 Can I use flash outside?

Any more questions?

Sign up for the class now. Limited spaces left.