Yosemite in 2019 with the Fuji x100F

I flew to California with my family and took a road trip from LA to San Francisco. On that trip I visited the majestic Yosemite National Park. Here are some images I recently reprocessed using an Acros (+Red) presest and my own dodging and burning.

One of the first waterfalls we encountered, it was an easy hike.

The feeling of walking through the valley and seeing the towering mountains and waterfalls is something everyone needs to experience.

El Capitan from the valley floor

I drove up to Glacier Point alone for this view. I had to drive down in the dark winding mountain roads for 2 hours to get back to our cabin. 100% worth it.

Glacier Point, Yosemite

One of my favorite images in color.

Here is the Acros version. Which do you Prefer?

Another angle of the valley from the drive down.

Double Exposure Inspiration

I have been taking photo walks on the same university campus for about 10 years.  There are many ways to stay engaged and make great images.  You can change your lens, your camera or challenge yourself with a certain kind of photo.   Most recently I have been using double exposure or multiple exposure.  In the film days, double exposure meant you exposed the same film twice, layering two images on top of each other.   It was often done by mistake when the film got stuck in the camera.

Created with the Sony A7rii Multiple Exposure App

Created with the Sony A7rii Multiple Exposure App

Cameras like the Sony A7r series have a very robust multiple exposure application right in the camera software as an app.  It will allow you to capture one image, then it will show you in live view what it would look like when you superimpose it over another.   You can then even change the blending mode just like you would in photoshop with two or more images.

This image combines the concept of multiple exposure with another favorite of mine, motion blur photography.

This image combines the concept of multiple exposure with another favorite of mine, motion blur photography.

You can also use double exposure to create surreal landscapes by taking the second exposure upside down.

You can also use double exposure to create surreal landscapes by taking the second exposure upside down.

Panther Bark Image

Panther Bark

I wrote this post in 2017 and only just came back to this blog and noticed it in the drafts. I hope it inspired someone out there, more to come.

Sunset Flight in the Everglades with the Mavic Pro

I set out to capture the sunset the other day with my Sony A7rii and it was one of the first times I did this with the Mavic in the car.  Well, as soon as I got there I saw this amazing scene of birds and light and I could not resist a flight.  

I edited this in Final Cut Pro X and used the Pixel Film FXP LUT Loader to apply this LUT created by Juan Melara. If you don't know what a LUT is, the link explains it all.  It stands for "look up table".  The loader allows you to control the mix of the adjustments and brightness and contrast plus a few other variables.  It works very similar to Lightroom filters in this respect.

If you are interested in the Mavic, consider my sponsored link from amazon.

Here are some photo captures created by stitching multiple images from the drone that same day.

 

 

Why using any camera besides the Fuji X100 series is hard

I have been carrying this fairly small A7rii with the tiny 35mm 2.8 lens for a couple weeks and here is what I can say.  It is a superb set-up with fast auto-focus and the files are outstanding. This was my main reason for trying this as a walk around.  You see I am lusting after the latest version of the X100, the X100F.  I currently own the T and love it but I often find that I tend to crop in post and would love to have a bit more file size plus I already own the Sony A7rii which I use for nearly all other photography.

But the fact is I am probably only delaying the inevitable as I will go back to my X100T soon enough and buy the X100F somewhere down the line when the price drops.

My older A7r with a manual 35mm and the Fuji X100T

My older A7r with a manual 35mm and the Fuji X100T

Right, I guess I should get to the why.  It's simple really, the experience.  The A7rii is a powerhouse.  Tilt screen, stabilized sensor, beautiful viewfinder, dynamic range from the gods and files that can be blown up to skyscraper visuals. And none of that matters if I am not inclined to grab it every time I go somewhere or if the experience of making the images is just a tad less fluid because those two things combine to taking less shots and missing more moments. If you are a pro trying to capture a variety of images, changing setting is important all the time. You want a slower shutter, a different aperture, etc.  On the Sony this means looking at a digital display either through the viewfinder or the screen on the back.  On the Fuji, its right on the dial, making for a fast natural experience.  Those film rangefinders that this camera is modeled after must have hit a magic formula.

The weight and size is a bit of a factor as well but I do believe ease of use is the killer app for me. Here are some images captured with both cameras.  The first four are X100T and last 3 are Sony A7rii.   

If you are interested in purchasing the latest X100F consider my amazon sponsored link.