15 Frames: Abandoned Gas Station in Claude, Texas — Fujifilm X-E4 + Fujicolor Natura 1600 Recipe — FUJI X WEEKLY

fujifilm, Lenses, photography, pictures, Travel

Out of Gas – Claude, TX – Fujifilm X-E4 & Fujinon 27mm – “Fujicolor Natura 1600” While traveling through the Texas panhandle back in May, I stumble upon an abandoned gas station in Claude, Texas—a small community outside of Amarillo. While you’d miss the town if you blinked, this old service station caught my eye […]

15 Frames: Abandoned Gas Station in Claude, Texas — Fujifilm X-E4 + Fujicolor Natura 1600 Recipe — FUJI X WEEKLY

Photograph Wherever You Are — Seeing the Extraordinary in the Mundane — FUJI X WEEKLY

fujifilm, opinons, thoughts, photography, Travel

Two Caballeros – Culleoka, TX – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Kodachrome 64” I had an epiphany today. It’s been building in my mind for several days now, but it was only today that I believe I fully understood it: photograph wherever you are. Whichever place it is that you find yourself, capture it with your camera. […]

Photograph Wherever You Are — Seeing the Extraordinary in the Mundane — FUJI X WEEKLY

Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2022

Fujichrome, fujifilm, Lenses, opinons, thoughts, photography, pictures, public, Travel

Phnom Penh is a great city for colourful photography, it’s big, dirty and in your face. Street photography is a pleasure. The people are generally friendly and rarely object to having their picture taken.

Travel Photography

cameras, fujifilm, Lenses, opinons, thoughts, photography, pictures, Travel

Less is More – don’t take too much equipment and travel light. It’ll make you less obtrusive and you will be able to move around for the best shot quickly.

  1. Off the Beaten Track – don’t just go to all the touristy shots – try to get ‘behind the scenes’ and ‘real life’ scenes.

Stolen Moments – anticipate moments between people before they happen.

2. True Colours – black and white is often where it’s at with street photography but at times colourful situations arise and can really make a shot – be on the look out for these.

3. In the Background – what’s going on behind your subject can actually ‘make’ the shot. Billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements can really make a statement in a shot.

4. Dare to Go Diagonal – don’t just hold your camera horizontally – experiment with angles. Street photography is a less formal medium – make the most of it.

5. Opposites Attract – shots that challenge the ‘norm’ in terms of composition and story/subject matter can be powerful. Look out for ‘surprising’ subject matter and composition.

6. What a Performance – street performers, parades and other street entertainment can be great subject matter on the street.

7. Off the Streets – other places where people gather in number can lead to great shots in this genre – zoos, fairs, shows, parks, sporting events etc all can be worth trying.

8. New Angle – find ways to get up high or down low – these new perspectives on subjects that are familiar can lead to eye-catching shots.

9. Practice makes Perfect – over time and with practice your photography will improve. You’ll not only get better at technique but also spot the things to focus on on the street.

10. Fortune Favors the Brave – sometimes the best thing you can do is to get close to your subject – this can be a little confronting but will produce powerful images

11. Fun in the Sun – often we try to avoid shooting into the sun and the shadows that direct sunlight can produce – in street photography breaking these ‘rules’ can lead to great shots.

12. Ready to Pounce – have your camera out and ready to shoot at all times. Things can move quickly on the street so if you’re not ready you’ll miss lots of opportunities.

13. Revise the Revisit – street photography is not all about spontaneity – if you see a scene with potential don’t be afraid to keep coming back to it until you get the shot.

14. Frozen Motion – the street is a place of movement – to capture it and still get sharp shots make sure your shutter speed is fast enough. 1/125 or more with an ISO of 400 is recommended as a base. I also think it can be fun to experiment with slower shutter speeds on the street – capture the movement as blur.

15. Street Wallpaper – blend in with the scene – shoot unobtrusively and unnoticed.

16. Life Through a Lens – ‘exaggerating perspective will help set your subject in context and provide a more forgiving depth of field’ – use a wide-angle lens (or even a fisheye).

17. Expect the Expected – people can be suspicious of street photographers so shoot in places where people expect to see people doing photography. Smile, be polite and be willing to delete images if people protest.

18. Location, Location, Location – really this is what it is all about. Choose places where people interact with one another and times when they are present.

Humanism

Fujichrome, fujifilm, Lenses, photography, pictures, public, Travel, Uncategorized

Humanism in photography is all about images that show empathy and the ability of human beings to empower each other. A photographer who injects humanism into their photos puts the spotlight on human beings. The centre of attention is always the people.

I would consider myself to be a humanist photographer rather than a ”street photographer” although much of my work happens on the street. People, how they live and survive are what really interest me, the feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone.

Humanism, a rationalist outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.

California 2022

fujifilm, Lenses, photography, pictures, Travel

Had to make an impromptu trip to Los Angles, California to assist a friend of mine back for medical treatment at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. A long trip on New Years Day. Decided to hang there for a few days before returning home. Took a few pictures visiting Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Manhattan Beach

Only had my travel gear with me, Fuji X Pro2 and a XF 50mm f2 for these shots of Surfers.

Venice Beach

Fujifilm XT3 + XF 55-200

cameras, fujifilm, Lenses, photography, pictures, Travel

Have not used this lens in a while and I really don’t know why as it is a fine lens with great sharpness and contrast especially in the middle apertures f5.6 to f11,

Freezing TIME

opinons, thoughts, photography, pictures, processing, public, Travel

Making a photograph is about freezing a moment, and fraction of a moment, in time that will never happen again. That moment should mean something if it, IMO, is to be a successful picture.

An image that tells a story or shows and emotion or time in history that can never be repeated with a beauty of its own is success. A slice of time.

The King is Dead, Long Live the King

opinons, thoughts, photography, pictures, public, sihanouk, Travel

On 15 October 2012, former Cambodian King and Prime Minister Norodom Sihanouk died at the age of 89, in BeijingChina, after suffering health issues. His death was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bun Chhay. His body was brought back on 17 October 2012 by King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen. State flags flew at half mast, and the government announced a 7-day mourning period for the former king.

Sihanouk had been receiving medical treatment in Beijing since January 2012 for a number of health problems, including colon cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. He died after a heart attack in Beijing on 15 October 2012, 1:20 a.m. Cambodian time, aged 89.

state funeral was held on 17 October 2012 and the National Television of Kampuchea repeatedly screened a 30-minute documentary about his life. Sihanouk’s body then reposed in the Royal Palace until 1 February 2013 where it lay in state until 4 February 2013, when it was finally cremated. Sihanouk’s royal coffin was adorned with gold and draped with the Royal Standard of the King of Cambodia.