How wants to go for a swim here?
Photographed at the beautiful Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia
THE HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
THE LOW RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
Photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro 1
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting
This one’s for you mum! I thought I would upload a quick photo while I have a break from packing.
THE HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
THE LOW RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting.
Rottnest Island is surrounded by pristine waters and only a short trip from the mainland making it a great weekend getaway. The locals refer to the island paradise as ‘Rotto’. For me this photograph captured on the Fujifilm X-Pro 1, sums up the island perfectly. Pristine beaches, clear water and amazing views – what more could you want? You can even see the City of Perth (which is my hometown) on the distant horizon!
Paradise found – love my rotto!
THE FULL RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
THE LOW RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting.
The imaging industry in Australia is on the decline restructure. Gone are the boom times of rocketing camera sales and profitability. Times are tough for most retailers and this has been reflected in a number of job losses across the wholesale imaging industry.
Today I found out Olympus made 9 positions redundant across Australia. To my knowledge most of the redundancies happened over in the east coast of Australia with no job losses in the State of Western Australia. The positions made redundant varied from business managers, administration and a position within the accounts department.
Recently I saw a similar situation happened with Sony Australia where service technicians and account managers (to name a few) were also given their pink slips .
But it’s not all bad news for Olympus. Industry figures (recently released) showed the Olympus OM-D held a whopping 43% of market share for Digital SLR cameras in the month of December 2013. Historically Olympus have been very strong in their compact range but over the last couple of years sales figures have been in a downward spiral. I’m sure this would have played a part in the redundancies as the rise of smart phones has clearly dominated this category. However saying this the OM-D is certainly making up for the lack of sales in compacts. To this day I have never seen a camera sell as well – so I think Canon and Nikon should take a leaf out of Olympus’s book to see what they are doing right!
On top of the OM-D’s success its rumoured Olympus will be releasing an updated Digital SLR to replace their flagship E-5 camera . I can confirm Olympus’s marketing department is heading on a plane to Japan for ‘meetings’ this week, where I’m sure this rumoured camera will be discussed and revealed. So stay tuned.
For those who are reading this who have been made redundant I certainly know what it is like. Over one year ago I found myself in the same situation. My role as an Area Business Manager for Fujifilm Australia was no longer required as the company was transitioning itself into more streamlined practices. Online services seemed to be the way of the future and since November 3rd 2011 (the day I was made redundant *on my birthday*) Fujifilm Australia is believed to have made a total of nearly 50 redundancies (unconfirmed). As I have been in the industry for some time this was no surprise. Online accounting services and cloud computing have replaced the expensive employee and at the time of my redundancy my thoughts were reflected in Dave Marshall’s CEO statement to the press (via current.com) –
“By creating clever internet systems that incorporate such initiatives as sophisticated reordering websites, centralised systems, Facebook applications and virtual photo books, Fujifilm aims to provide innovative platforms that will offer new business opportunities for all of its customers.
“Fujifilm Australia has already proved very successful in developing and delivering cutting edge network solutions for its customers within the consumer imaging segment.
“Advanced plans are now underway within Fujifilm Australia to extend its network connectivity capabilities to the Graphic Systems and Medical Imaging Divisions.
“New business models that maximise this trend to ensure customers are at the forefront of new technology is a key focus for our business moving forward.
“In order to reinvent our processes and technology, this represents an opportunity to create a range of new specialist positions within Fujifilm Australia to drive a seamless transition for both consumers and customers.
“Unfortunately, as part of this process, it has also meant some changes to positions that have become redundant in the back office administration area due to technological advancements.
“There has also been a small number of positions that have been rationalised at the front end of the business to accommodate the specialist roles that are being created as part of the transition.
“Our goal is to strengthen Fujifilm’s position and ensure it is suitably equipped to balance current market demands with future business investment.
“Advancements in technology coupled with changes in consumer behaviour, has resulted in a significant transformation in the way businesses such as Fujifilm need to operate.”
So do I have any advice for employees who find themselves out of a job? Certainly! My advice – stay positive and hold no grudges. Look at it this way, being let go is possibly the best thing that could happen to you. It’s a new start, a new you. So don’t be complacent, use this time to reinvent yourself and do what you love. Start your own business or even become a consultant within your industry. For me I followed my love of social media and although I am still working a 9 to 5 I do plan on making this my gig in the distant future.
So based on Fujifilm, Olympus, Sony and Panasonic’s (2011) redundancies the big question looms….what about the big players like Nikon and Canon? When will they be cutting back?
Over the last couple of days I have been doing a bit of research on the subject and have found two hypotheticals which could lead to redundancies (please take my findings as speculation and rumour, not fact):
1) Canon Australia are advertising for a Salesforce Consultant.
I can see the move to Salesforce equating to job losses within Canon Australia in the next year. The reason I say this is because when I worked at Fujifilm I saw the same Salesforce rollout. It certainly is a powerful account management system and it does really replace the need to have extra account managers out in the field. Once the accounts are entered in the cloud they can be seen on any device from anywhere. Orders, leads, account history and delivery are all the vital information to an account manager. Salesforce easily combines a team of people reporting this information into a manageable feed which can be read by one person and acted upon. Need I say more?
2) The mirrorless camera situation for Canon and Nikon (Nikon especially) is serious.
Stock levels for the Nikon 1 J1 and Canon EOS M in their respective warehouses are said to be high. For Nikon this is quite alarming. The Nikon 1 J2 (announced August 9th 2012) and the anticipated Nikon V1 replacement (announced October 24th 2012) are simply premature for the market place. There is too much old stock (old models) sitting on retailers shelves. Something has got to give. Either the price has to be lowered and profits cut which in turn could affect jobs in the long-term.
Canon forecasters have anticipated their lack of sales by offering the slow-moving EOS M buyers a $150 cash back when they purchase their camera from an Australian retailer. I’m sure this will work in the short-term but it still early days. Over the next month you will see a huge marketing campaign from Canon to help their sell through across their range of products. I’m sure this is a one of their ways to cut their losses.
So in closing redundancies are never a nice thing. Unfortunately for industry they are a big part of life and for industry to evolve its a necessary thing. Over the next three years I can envision the imaging industry changing dramatically. The rise of connected smart phones and technology will certainly make the jobs within the imaging industry semi redundant if companies don’t act or embrace the technology.
I recently discussed the future of imaging over on F Stop Lounge which looks at some of the future technology and how it may play a part in the industry. No longer will industry be able to sit on their hands and wait for product to sell (fine example EOS M), employees and their associated marketing companies will have to be proactive in their marketing approach to reach a new audience that falls outside the traditional photographer. As the generations age and the technology evolves I see a new kind of photo being created and produced. One that will replace the photo industry and be more aligned with the Consumer Electronics Industry. I just hope that day doesn’t come too soon as I do like working in my industry…but hey we all have to live with change…good or bad.
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting.
I’m having a quick break from editing wedding photos and I thought I would upload a photo for the fans!
Thank you so much to the regulars who stop by the blog every day. I am still blown away that you call this little corner of the internet part of your online home.
As always I have made this photograph free for anyone to download. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy.
Iridescent clouds passed the reflective ocean tide. The lone paddle border waited with patience for the wave seemed a scarce occurrence. His gaze was fixed on the lonely horizon. The still ocean didn’t seem to want to break the glassy norm.
I could see his shoulders shrug with a sigh. Maybe it was a moment of relaxation or frustration, I’m not quite sure as he seemed to be somewhat transfixed in the moment.
Paddle ready the border balanced afloat the watery mass. From no where the glistening watery surface gained in height to form an elusive wave. A powerful strong standing stroke aligned the nose of the board to the beach. The paddler elevated gracefully with the energetic wave.
Awaiting the wave – the moment had arrived. The short thrill of a ride, a journey of freedom and escape.
THIS FULL RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED FOR FREE
Photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro 1
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting
Have you ever sat in an amazement of a sunset in awe of its grandeur and beauty?
Yesterday I was fortunate to witness one of the world best sunsets at Cottesloe Beach located in Western Australia. I feel privileged to share this photograph with you and hope the best sunset in the world will bring some colour into your life. May you be inspired to create and share.
THIS FULL RESOLUTION PHOTO CAN BE DOWNLOADED FOR FREE – CLICK HERE
Photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro 1
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting
Today I felt a bit of a creative spark after seeing some really amazing film images.
I wanted to take a photo on the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 and try to recreate the cross processed film look similar to what you see from a sprocket rocket camera (where the developed film includes the film sprockets) so I went to the beach after work to get the idea going.
Kodak Gold 400 Stressed Film
The latest FREE fine art photographs are ready to be downloaded.
November 2012 – Rottnest Island.jpg
November 2012 – Quokka.jpg
I hope you enjoy the photos and feel free to use them for whatever you like.
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Abstract art is one of my newly found passions so expect to see a few more like this.
I created this art by combining 5 photos from a recent photography session at Circular Pool. What do you think? Is this type of photography your cup of tea?
Until Next Time – Happy Shooting.
FOLLOW ME TO THE WATER
Watching and waiting, anticipating the sparkle in the sky the reflection of light grew intensely as I composed the scene before me.
Time was no factor I stood still in the cold night air waiting to see a shooting star – a glistening hope before my eyes. I waited but alas the spectacle didn’t happen. Instead the gentle breeze blew across my face as it played within the scene.
Artistic patterns marbled on the water’s surface freezing in time. Trees on the horizon danced as my camera captured the chorus of movement before me. Warming light from the nearby town seemed like a galaxy far away. My eyes were cast upward to the beauty of the atmosphere that seemed to engulf my presence.
A universe of light danced upon the glassy mirror. Twinkling stars pierced through the darkness with the brightest forming stairways that led to the sky. Was this my path was this the light?
Captured using the Fujifilm X-Pro 1
5 Images
35mm – ISO 200 – f1.4 – 30 Seconds Per Image
Edited and Stitched using Photoshop CS5
After editing more wedding photos I thought I would put together an Instagram inspired photo in photoshop before I call it a night/morning. I call it Instashop!
Instashop – I highly recommend giving this a go. Simply open your photo in Photoshop, crop to a square and play. Let me know what results you come up with by sending me a link on the blog or Facebook. I look forward to see some crazy results!
Until next time – Happy Shooting!
After working on weddings all of yesterday and this morning I decided to post another photo from my recent holiday.
The light in the South West of Western Australia is magnificent to photograph especially when the light warms the side of the hill as cool clouds roll by.
Photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 near Bridgetown, Western Australia.
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded.
October 2012 – Circular Pool.tiff
You can use the photo for whatever you like. Enjoy.
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Until next time – Happy Shooting
I’m back from my little trip away! It feels great to be back in the chair after having a small holiday. I will be planning on posting a few images in the next few weeks in between editing a beautiful wedding photographed in Perth.
This ethereal photograph was taken as a two image stitch on the beautiful Fujifilm X-Pro 1 using Velvia mode.
Check out my last Middleton Beach photograph and story here.
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded.
September 2012 – Horses.tiff
You can use the photo for whatever you like. Enjoy.
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Western Australia is full of beauty in unexpected places.
Its amazing just how much a location can change given some time. When last I visited this location over one year ago I published the photo – Rubble and Ruin. Check out the difference between the previous photo and this one. You will be amazed.
This photo is a great reminder no matter where the location is it’s always going to be different each time you visit it. You will always come away with different shots just like this one. I’m just glad I had the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 to test out. I wanted to see what the output quality was so the camera was set to shoot in jpeg. What do you think? Is the quality alright?
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
I don’t really need to say much about this image. The swans speak from themselves. Graceful and beautiful.
Until next time – Happy Shooting
The deafening howl increased as wind shuttled passed my ears. My vision was temporarily interrupted, the blast of sand in my eyes was agonizing. Recovering the gritty debris from my vision I wasn’t about to retreat to the car without exercising my camera. Nothing was going to stop me.
The picture before me was developing into a scene…one that was worth waiting for.
The light was starting to revel itself from lost clouds gathering on the distant horizon. Secure in its footings the wooden jetty stood strong against the battling water thrashing against its dilapidating wooden boards. Seaweed draped over the edge of the wet structure breaking up horizontal repetition within the frame. My mind raced as fast as the clouds gathered in front of me.
With the fishing trawler awaiting a new dawn the light above began to broadcast itself between the clouds. A magical glow illuminated the camera sensor into action. The scene was born.
If you would like to see the scene I also took from this spot check out my recent post – Beauty Abounds in Port Gregory.
Until next time – Happy Shooting!
When I saw this scene on the side of the road I had to stop and take a photo. I used to drive a tractor similar to this once. Every second day I would get up early in the morning to deliver hay to hungry cows. Living in the country was certainly on the of great joys in life. Fresh air and vast landscapes….what more could you want?
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
I got asked a few days ago is landscape photography really worth it? It sort of got me thinking about why I do it. I suppose this post is some of my thoughts on the subject and hopefully it answers the question – is landscape photography really worth it?
There is nothing like the feeling of the ocean breeze in your hair or the silence of a still desert night; these feelings are part of an experience that makes landscape photography so important to me.
When I lived in Albany, Western Australia I met Andrew Halsall who showed me just how to appreciate landscape photography. I always thought landscape photography was about arriving in a remote location only to unpack heavy photography gear. My thoughts had left me with the impression landscapes were was such a waste of time – I mean all that travel just to set up the camera on a tripod and take a photo – what a stupid idea! I couldn’t have been more wrong! I was shown there was a lot more to photographing landscape than I had imagined.
My thoughts started to change when I was taken on a few landscape adventures armed with some of Andrew’s essentials which included a camp cooker, stove top coffee plunger and some great humor. I have great memories of camping under the stars on uncomfortable ground after relentless days of hiking through the Stirling’s or even cooking toasted bacon sandwiches whilst the camera was photographing a star trail. Thinking back now I know that these experiences are really why landscape photography is one of the photographic subjects I now pursue.
Bluff Knoll, Stirling Ranges National Park
Living in Western Australia, I have been fortunate to photograph forests, oceans, deserts, mountains and salt lakes. I truly believe Western Australia has some amazing landscapes. You simply just need to get out there to photograph it.
So what does it take to photograph a landscape?
Simply put – determination! All you need is a little bit of determination to get yourself out of bed. The cold mornings and nights when all you want to do is go to back to sleep are the moments when you need to push yourself. My mums voice ” You’ll enjoy it when you get there” is a constant reminder which haunts me to get out of bed. The thought of getting up in darkness to take a photo is clearly mad for non photographers but the experience when you see the sunrise over a valley or a shooting star really makes the effort worthwhile.
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
I suppose what separates landscape photographers from the happy snappers is really a simple answer – you either enjoy landscape photography or you don’t. Being a landscape photographer isn’t really something you just think about it is something you become. It becomes a passion. All you need to do is get out there, make sure you have a full battery and memory card and the landscape will do the rest. Although don’t get me wrong there is a lot of art and post production behind a good landscape photographer but that will come with time and experience.
I really have never been much of a writer or philosopher but photographer yes! My motivation to get out and photograph the landscape comes down to the love of the outdoors. So next time you aren’t motivated in your photography just remember to break past the mind barrier and get outdoors with your camera in hand – I’ll tell you now you won’t regret it.
Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
Does anyone know what the name of this Kangaroo/Wallaby is? Photographed near Hearson’s Cove, Western Australia.
The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded.
August 2012 – Port Gregory.jpeg
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Until next time – Happy Shooting!
This is a continued post from Part 1 – Who Needs Carrots When You Have A Fujifilm X-Pro 1?
“You don’t need carrots to see in the dark – you simply need a Fujifilm X-Pro 1. Hopefully the photos and story show just how this camera performs in low light when using high ISO – no need for those carrots anymore!”
Motionless, beat up and lost the door stood as a gateway into a darker world. The urban rustic weathered paint was a reminder of the harsh abandoned life this building had become custom to. The distant street light shed new life on the neglected doorway. My X-Pro 1 picked up the little available light with ease. ISO 5000 had never looked so clean against a decrepit dirty background.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 5000 – f1.4- 1/40 second
Continuing my stroll down heritage surrounds my camera was drawn to a light like a moth to a flame. The building before was bathed in an iridescent glow. Bold straight architectural lines gave form with a modern twist.
Double doors centred as a focal point balancing the two outer archways. Caged vertical bars broke horizontal lines. Interior warming light shone juxtaposed against the outside cool colour temperature. All I had to do was simply lift the camera, look and click. The magic light danced around my viewfinder and instantaneously the camera showed off its work on the back LCD. Impressive!
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 2500 – f2.0 – 1/125 second
Street art always intrigues me. Fremantle is not really renowned for the modern art form so it was a breath of fresh air coming across it. The intricate detail of pen on textured walls stood proud. I was impressed at the quality both of the artist and camera’s reproduction alike. Smooth tones and noiseless photos proved the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 had been a perfect choice. ISO 6400 had never looked so clear before. Maybe it was down to the amazing sensor or just the sharpened glass present on the robust camera either way I was happy the X-Pro 1 was in my hands and my Canon Pro body was at home.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 6400 – f1.4 – 1/25 second
Eyes attuned to detail my legs trekked down the road stopping momentarily at a nearby notice board. Full of interesting events I focused my attention toward the centre of the board and set the lens to a shallow depth of field. Posters hung carelessly fighting for space. People hurried past ignoring the abundant plethora of words and information. Noticing the lack of interest my eyes lost focus and blurred the swamp of dictation before me. Briefly all I could see was vibrant colour – words became a jumbled mess.
I wanted to recreate the vibrant colour I had seen briefly so dashing through the menu, Velvia film simulation mode was locked and loaded. Colours popped and vibrance shone, E6 processing without the chemicals was proven to be the perfect combination. Slide film was reborn. Digital had finally made its modern move. The debate of film was no more.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 1200 – f1.4 – 1/50 second
By now the light was falling into a darker trance. Contrast and shadows filled every space the moonlight burned textures reflecting an eerie glow. Gathering clouds surrounded the ball of light above. My camera pitched into the darkness. The frame was set, ticking time detailed the foreground as my camera’s ISO was pushed to capture the remaining light. The clouds formed clean white streaks which brushed the blackened sky. The halls magnificent towering peak almost formed a pirouette in the night sky as the clouds danced behind, stars twinkling in delight. The night show had begun.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 5000 – f1.8 – 1/125 second
Walking along a busy Queen Street I felt like a photographic King as I noticed the printed word Queen on a window pane. Bathed in a strong red backlight (from an interior sign) I lined up the text to fill my viewfinder. The text stood strong with hardened edges as a the lens depicted the scene without colour bleed. I was more than impressed.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 2500 – f5.6 – 1/220 second
Amassing on the monument of Fremantle’s heritage I found myself among the buildings that time forgot. The worn, cracked weathered limestone reflected the hastiness of the surrounds. Windows bound in formality repeated along the structure. Shadows formed across the strewed masonry filling shadows with amazing hues. My camera picked up the contrast with ease and the final shot stood still, the way time had left it.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 1000 – f1.4 – 1/105 second
The detailed attention of the master sculptor filled my frame. His eyes fixated and focused at the sculpture at hand. Street light hit the bronze statue highlighting the shapes of his worn jacket and combed hair. Standing as still as the statue I locked focus, held my breath and proceeded to push the shutter. The almost depressing light engrossed the frame. Beautiful golden bokeh broke the scene into two as the emerging human shape jumped from the foreground. It was almost as the statue had come to life.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 2500 – f1.4 – 1/15 second
Steps filled with a hurried pace as I travelled on my homeward journey. The chilled cold night air had won. The quest to test the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 was over. I didn’t need to eat any carrots as the camera was able to see into the darkness for me. High ISO and low light noiseless images had made this camera one of the best in my collection.
I hope you have enjoyed this two-part test. If you would like to see some more of my work be sure to subscribe to this page.
If you have any questions on the camera or any of the images feel free to ask them here or on my new collaborated website – F Stop Lounge – a site made by photographers for photographers.
Until next time – Happy Shooting
The world is light; tone; shape and form – its my job as an artist to share life’s intricate details.
Beauty abounds the natural wonders of Port Gregory. Waves turn and tumble roaring as weathered water amasses to the shore. Running in synchronization waves continues their forceful journey along the beach gliding until the evanescent wave reaches its peak. Receding water reflects the final afterglow. The watery rhythm continues as the bright beams fill voids upon the open ocean.
A gazebo stands steadfast upon its foundations as winds howl in its path. Weathered rotting wood holds little protection for the passing traveller. The storm shows no sign of holding back. Light passes through thick developed clouds shedding warmth wherever it lands. The spectacle emerges as low clouds pass; clearing the misty confusion. Crouched with tripod and camera in hand the words develop in my mind. Wind; rain; light and water – the perfect composition.
Canon EOS 1D MK IV – 85mm – ISO 50 – f14 – 1 second – PS CS5
You don’t need carrots to see in the dark – you simply need a Fujifilm X-Pro 1. Hopefully the photos and story show just how this camera performs in low light when using high ISO – no need for those carrots anymore!
The soles of my shoes were wearing thin. Darkness surrounded me, I was now in the back streets of Fremantle. Rain was softly falling wetting my brow as I clutched my Fujifilm X-Pro 1 protecting it from the unknown surrounds. My backpack felt light as I picked up my pace. The sound of crackling leaves burst into the air as I stepped along the long cobbled paved path. Winter still had a hold on the air as I grasped my jacket ensuring zips were closed. The engineered 35mm lens was fixed tight onto the camera and my ISO control was set to extremely high. As I gazed around me the leaves on the trees were hanging onto flexing branches desperate not to fall. Cracked limestone buildings towered over me. Lonely lights lit the street as a car alarm silenced itself in the distance. Travelling along I noticed a doorway open almost inviting me in to escape the dampness of the cold street. I had never seen an open door in this area before. Steadying myself as the tripod I applied pressure to the smooth round shutter button.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 3200 – f1.4 – 1/25 second
Passing the building with a disconcerting look for a welcome invite I found myself in an adjacent alleyway. Thick narrow walls swarmed the scene before me opening up briefly to form a dirty makeshift parking zone. An old neglected car sat lonely against the backlight.
The smell of rotting food filled the air as bouncing light filled the dark alleyway striking shapes along its path. Highlights and shadows formed, black and white was the clear choice as the light disappeared into the engulfing darkness. I bumped up my ISO to capture the little amount of light present before me. As I had no tripod I concentrated my mind and body to be in sync with the shutter action. I counted one, two and click. Instantly the camera came alive. Focus locked in pitch black conditions and the sound of the camera finishing its digital take on the scene was music to my ears. With excitement abound I pressed the large preview button, the clear LCD lit the world like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Adjusting my eyes the result excelled my expectations.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 6400 – f1.4 – 1/15 second
Passing a window with a fleeting glance a wall of words stood out. Instantly a warming fire coupled with a good read filled my mind. The colour scheme of the shelved text shouted out to the depressing street as I stood reading the titles before me. The thought of a good book and a fire was too good to pass. Lining the camera up to the cold plain window I composed my artistic angle and mashed my finger on the X-Pro 1’s retro shutter button.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 3200 – f1.6 – 1/125 second
With Fremantle renowned for its small quaint stores I set out with a new stride turning my attention to closed doors or barred windows. I intended to capture the stillness of the earlier working day. Time passed on my quest, eventually I found myself looking through recessed windows and strong iron bars. The rear of a cafe was in full view. Feeling like a tidy criminal I cleaned the glass before me. Peeping through the camera’s hybrid viewfinder the scene hit my retina. The still scene suddenly jumped to life.
The old bicycle sign filled the empty cracked concrete floor. Couches sat unfulfilling their duties as respite for tired workers. The smell of freshly ground coffee brewed in my mind. Laughter and conversations emoted the scene; clatter of cutlery against white porcelain plates filled the air. The scene was alive. Without hesitating I continued to pursue my photographic journey.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 4000 – f1.4 – 1/45 second
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
Please note all these photos were taken without a tripod to test the capability of high ISO’s on the Fujifilm X-Pro 1.
The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded.
July 2012 – Mt Field National Park.jpeg
REMEMBER TO SHARE THE LOVE
REMEMBER TO SHARE THE LOVE
Until next time – Happy Shooting.
Wind swept through my hair as I left the car park. Keeping to the sandy path the sight of dune grasses dancing in the breeze caught my eye. I felt the cold gritty sand between my toes which instantly translated into a shiver throughout my body. My warm woollen jumper cut the air as the storm approached. I felt alive.
The outdoors was smelling like a salt pan. The developing scene before me was a place where lifesavers swam and whales sang. Middleton beach was a special place for so many people. Stories unfolded as my camera pointed in different directions. I could see people engaging with others as mans best friend yapped at the approaching tide. Laughing children ran with excitement giving chase to unsuspecting seagulls which tumbled into mid-air. The beach was alive and entertaining.
Waves rode close to the ocean shoreline crashing with anger. The distant sounds of conversations were muffled by the developing gusts. Crashing waves echoed in my mind as I lined up the composition. The tripod was sturdy and heavy in my hand. Brushing sand from the lens I had to take the shot before the storm rolled in – rain was no friend to my camera. Flickering light caught my attention as it shone boldly through the passing clouds. Emu Point dotted on the horizon was disappearing due to the sand storms forming along the beach. As I adjusted my focus the light broke from the cotton wool blanket above me. The beach grasses shone with vibrance. The colour jumped out and was lifted from the white beach canvas. Shadows filled with an array of colour while the ocean danced with aquas and blues.. I was photographing mother nature at its grandest. The light show had begun.
This review is based solely on my own opinion about the camera. I have been using the X-Pro 1 since the beginning of May and have seen some amazing results.
All my photographs were taken as a RAW file and edited in some way using Adobe Lightroom 3/4 or Adobe Photoshop CS5.
I have spread my thoughts on this camera across different aspects that are important to me. If you are after a detailed spec review then this is not the site for you. This review is based on a user experience the highs and the lows….so lets get started!
To celebrate the camera’s ability to shoot in low light I put this video together. Enjoy.
Fujifilm have managed to design the X-Pro 1 with style, class and quality. The full metal body speaks highly of the cameras design. The X-Pro 1 fits like a glove. The sleek stylish curved body accentuates and oozes quality. Many say a poor man Leica? I say touch of class.
However there are a few things that I don’t like so much about the camera. I’ll get into those later on.
I have found the bold black magnesium alloy shapes aesthetically pleasing. The designer in my has ignited. I simply wanted to get my hands on one. Two months later and I am thankful I have one.
Having a history with professional DSLR cameras the physical size of the camera and lens combinations have been a pleasure to hold. Most compact pro cameras out there have simply been too small. The Olympus OM-D EM5, Nikon V1, Sony Nex 7 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 have all been in my hands before, all of which have lost their appeal due to their compact size (the closest thing to comfort out of these cameras would have to be the Olympus OMD with the grip on). Don’t get me wrong the other cameras out there take a great photo – what I am trying to say is coming from a Pro DSLR background, the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 simply feels better in my hands.
I think the Japanese do things well. For a camera to be in my kit it must be made in Japan or Germany. Quality is Japan and German – period. Luckily the X-Pro 1 was forged in Japan otherwise I wouldn’t even touch it!
All the buttons are ergonomically designed to fit the users hand. One of the main features I like about the design was the placement of the viewfinder. Too many cameras have the viewfinder in the middle. When you press your eye up against the viewfinder your nose becomes jammed up against the LCD which eventually smears the screen The X-Pro 1 has fixed that problem by moving the viewfinder to the side of the camera.
DIALS
The dials on the camera also reflect Fujifilm’s attention to detail. As you turn the on/off switch, the shutter speed dial or the exposure compensation dial you can be assured of the change as each movement is confirmed with a solid “click” as the dial moves into place. I have read a few reviews in my time and played with many cameras. One big issue for Fujifilm on the earlier X100 was the mode dial would move if you bumped it. This hasn’t been a problem on the X-Pro 1 as Fujifilm have added a much-needed lock on the shutter speed dial.
Coming from a Canon background I found when looking through the viewfinder navigating the button and dial configuration seemed second nature. When reviewing images on the 3 inch screen or through the 1,230,000 dot electronic viewfinder the colour and detail was very close to what I saw through my own eyes.
Hybrid viewfinder. Now there’s an idea. I found myself using this feature all to often. I’ll give you an example. I was photographing some stars on a moonless night near Pemberton, Western Australia. I travelled there only to find there was no bright light source to set my focus on. I had two cameras with me the Canon EOS 1D MK IV and the Fujifilm X-Pro 1. After setting both up on tripods I attempted to gain focus on the Canon. Using only the optical viewfinder I set the focus point to the center point and half pressed the shutter button. The Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens whirred and hunted back and forth trying its best to focus on the brightest star in the sky. After five minutes of trying I had no luck. I’m sure if the Canon could talk it was saying “I think I can…I think I can…” My eyes were too bad to attempt to manually focus so the camera was useless on this occasion. The Fujifilm X-Pro had its chance.
I set the hybrid viewfinder to the electronic viewfinder. WOW! I was blown away. Not only could the camera focus in almost pitch black it was like I was looking through a window into clear daylight. The electronic viewfinder boasted amazing quality and only took less than a second to gain autofocus! To this day I am still amazed a camera can perform better than how I see in low light. Fujifilm clearly got something right!
X-PRO 1 – 18mm – ISO 400 – f2 – 30 secs
The camera’s menu took a bit of getting use to. Although after the first week I seem to have mastered it.
Conveniently placed the menu button sits nestled in-between the selector keys. Once pressed the shooting menu tab is the first out of eight tabs to be displayed – five of which are camera settings and the remaining are playback settings.
Previously on the Fujifilm X100 menu you had to fight your way through various functions to get to the next page of settings. The main menu on the X-Pro 1 has been laid out with some thought – thanks Fujifilm for listening! The X-Pro 1 menu allows you to bypass all the unwanted settings by selecting a tab on the left hand side. Navigating your way around the menu is simple. The selector keys scroll up, down, left and right while the command dial controls the function of the mode you have selected.
For changing settings on the fly the X-Pro 1 features a Q (Quick) button. 15 of the most common settings appear as symbols on the back LCD allowing you to bypass the main menu. I was able to control what settings appeared on the Quick menu as the camera allowed 7 different custom screens. Each custom screen allowed me to save my favourite camera settings to the quick menu. For example I set a custom quick menu for low light shooting which centred around ISO and bracketing controls; the other custom menu was set for landscape photography where I pre-saved my film simulation mode to Velvia.
I think without the Quick mode Fujifilm would have made a huge mistake. This button was designed to keep the user out of the menu so they could spend more time shooting and it certainly worked for me!
Check out the video from the Fuji Guys on how the new menu works.
ISO can be set to the following:
L (100), 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200, 4000, 5000, 6400
Auto (400), Auto (800), Auto (1600), Auto (3200)….ok now that’s over….. I tended to use ISO 400 right through to ISO 2500.
The camera has really challenged me with my photography. I am so used to carrying my clunky tripod or flash to capture the dimly lit scenes in life. With the X-Pro 1 I didn’t have to worry about all the other photographic paraphernalia. I was able to go anywhere and photograph anything.
Setting the ISO control to 3200 my head was telling me ARRRGHHHH what are you doing???? I wanted to explore the camera…I mean if Fujifilm were going to put a setting on the camera it had to be good right? I had to test it – sort of like when you have to test if the paint is dry just after painting…I got that feeling! The question was at ISO 3200 was there going to be noise?
Really ISO 3200?
BOOM!
No noise.
The shutter had been pressed when shooting some low light urban scenes in Melbourne and Fremantle and look no noise! Crazy!
This would definitely be one of the very best features on the camera. High ISO with no noise. What more could I want?
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 2500 – 35mm – f1.4 – 1/170sec – Split Toning in Adobe Lightroom 4.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 18mm – ISO 200 – f10 – 5 secs
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 18mm – ISO 200 – f10 – 30 sec
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 18mm – ISO 200 – f2 – 1/4 sec
HD Video on the X-Pro 1 is a feature I am still dabbling in. However if you want to see what the quality is like at 720p I found this video showcasing the video quality. Remember to change the YouTube video setting to 720P HD for better viewing quality.
This sort of setting is not new for me. I have used this setting mainly on compact Fujifilm, Olympus, Canon and Sony cameras. The first series of cameras to bring this feature out were …how do I put it….crap.
The X-Pro 1 must have majored in sweep panoramas at production school! When it comes to sweeping the X-Pro 1 knows! The quality of the stitch is seamless if done correctly.
I pushed the camera to the limits by acting as a drunk and even portraying the smoker withdrawal shake. The pictures weren’t pretty….lets just say I found the limit. This mode is definitely not for the drunks. To be expected there were some problems with stitching due the rapid hand shake. My advice would be to use a tripod or monopod if you like your drink or smokes and suffer from withdrawals…this camera setting isn’t for you….but for everyone else all you need is a steady hand and you will be fine. This is the result in a high contrast scene. The outdoor light was pouring in and I don’t think I could have photographed this almost 180 degree view without the use of the sweep panorama mode.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 1000 – f8 – 1/60 sec – Sweep Panorama Mode
Power consumption was probably one of my only dislikes on the camera (maybe because I used it so much!)
The CIPA (Camera and Imaging Products Association) standard is said to be 300 images from one charged battery. CIPA test under strict conditions. Each camera is turned on, the shutter button is pressed once taking a photo and the camera is then turned off. The process is repeated until the camera won’t turn on again. Fujifilm reached 300 cycles.
Fujifilm amped up the power from the previous X100’s NP-95 battery to the new Fujifilm NP-W126 battery. I would definitely recommend a spare as I found myself running out of power too often. The battery drain can really be likened to a car. Performance vehicles use a lot of fuel so really you should expect the X-Pro 1 to use a lot of battery.
The XF lens system has produced some amazing results. No detail was spared when designing these lenses. The tow lenes I have been using are the Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R and the Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4 R. My favorite out of the two would have to be the 35mm as it gives a true representation to what I see. Recently Fujifilm announced the XF 14mm f2.8, 18-55mm f2.8-4, 56mm f1.4, 27mm f2.8, 55-200mm f3.5-f4.8 and the new 10-24 f4.
I just wish I had the 10-24mm as it would provide a nice wide-angle for shooting my landscapes. Currently I am stitching all my photographs which is quite time-consuming.
Pictured below is the road map of Fujifilm XF lenses which will be released shortly.
Overall I think when it comes to reviewing a camera the image detail is one of the most important things. I won’t write too much more on this subject as the Jpeg images taken on the APS-C sized senor will show you . Take a look.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 400 – f8 – 1/3000 sec
100% Crop
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 1000 – f2 – 1/300 sec
100% Crop
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 400 – f8 – 1/200 sec
100% Crop
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 400 – f8 – 1/4000 sec
100% Crop
THUMBS UP:
Full sized compact pro – fitted perfectly in my hands
High ISO with extremely low noise. I was able to shoot ISO 3200 with no problems at all.
Quick Menu allowed me to bypass the main menu for ease of operation
Hybrid Viewfinder worked well in low light situations.
Horizon tool on the rear LCD allowed me to get all my landscapes straight!
Magnesium alloy body meant I could take the camera anywhere without any problem.
XF lenses – clean, sharp and crisp – especially the 35mm f1.4
Amazing detail due to the removal of the low pass filter
Camera strap – the underside of the strap was rubberized and provided good grip. Never slid off my shoulder!
THUMBS DOWN:
Battery life – didn’t seem to last two days of shooting.
Diopter adjustment lens seemed to want to unscrew itself from the camera. I found it in my camera bag on one occasion.
Slow start-up time (compared with a Pro DSLR)
Overall I can recommend this camera to the keen enthusiast or professional photographer. The camera is light and perfect as a stand alone or second body. Shooting in low light stacks up against some of the bigger players like the Canon 5D MKIII and Nikon D800. I think the removal of the low pass filter to mimic film has paid off. Fujifilm have really developed a ground breaking camera adding to the overall success of the X series camera lineup. I look forward to seeing what other photographic boundaries can be pushed by Fujifilm in the coming year and I’m sure the X-Pro 1 will be just one of many X series cameras to wow the photographic world.
Until next time – Happy Shooting!
Dimly lit street signs guided my way as I left the bright city lights behind me. The fog filled roads lay in my path as my vehicle turned and climbed in the darkness. Small towns came and went, my journey to Pemberton was drawing to a close. I could almost smell the decaying forest as I opened the vent to let in some outside air. My eyes were alert and the smell of coffee was fading. Pemberton was fast approaching.
My imagination was running. I started to recall countless customer’s photographs of tall trees I had printed in my working life. Picturing light as it broke through the blanketing canopy and fell upon glorious fern beds or capturing the morning calls of the local wildlife waking up to the day – these were the pictures I wanted to capture. I was so excited. With hands gripped to the steering wheel I navigated the fallen logs hindering the road to arrive at my destination around midnight. Eager to capture the forest I had ended up in the car park at the Big Brook Dam just outside of Pemberton town.
Stretching my legs from my long journey I witnessed tree trunks silhouetted against the starry sky. Rolling my head back and looking toward the sky the trees seemed to reach endlessly into the night sky. The giant trees clustered together to form a thick forest surrounding the car park making me feel dwarf like. The stars only had brief shining moments as the leaves rustled about covering their shine.
Too excited for sleep I decided capture my surrounds.
Fumbling about the boot I quickly packed my camera bag and with head torch leading the way I set off for the path. The still night air was interrupted from the sound of my footsteps as they crunched the undergrowth beneath me. The smell of damp wood rose from the ground bringing a smile to my face. Stumbling along, hands thawing within my jacket pockets I reached a clearing.
I was in amazement at the scene that lay before me. The stillness of the night has produced a perfect mirror across the body of water. Surrounding the water were tall trees that stood trunk to trunk, their shadows simply blackened voids on the surface of the water. My head torch was no match for the light that was energizing the night. The stars shone with brilliance reflecting their glow on the watery mirror in front of me. This was truly an amazing moment. I had to capture this scene!
Navigating my way along the muddy bank I located the southern cross above me and aimed the wide angled lens toward the constellations. With freezing fingers bouncing about the back of the camera I set the camera’s mode to Bulb and attached the cable release. Nestled on the tripod the focus was locked and aperture set…all I had to do now was wait 20 minutes. 10 minutes for the exposure followed by a 10 minutes walk back to the car (which was enough time for the camera to process noise reduction to the capture).
Arriving back at the car the heater was set to full blast as I waited for the red light to disappear from the back of the camera. Finally the moment arrived, noise reduction was complete.
The back LCD of the camera lit up producing the shot. AMAZING – I thought to myself. I had captured a night scene I was finally happy with!
All I needed to do was to get to sleep as I was getting up in 2 hours for the sunrise!
Big Brook Dam, Pemberton, Western Australia
Until Next Time
Happy Shooting!
What a successful event! I would personally like to thank all of the 25 or more photographers who made it to the One Year Anniversary Google+ Photo Walk which I hosted with Paul Pichugin in Fremantle, Western Australia.
I managed to meet more than 24 new faces and a few old mates as we casually strolled Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and the streets of Fremantle. Amazing we even met a few photographers along the way who had no idea about the event but still decided to join us for the entire walk and breakfast!
Hats off to Google for the amazing platform which enables photographers to connect and share photos anywhere.
Over the weekend I am looking forward to seeing some of the amazing photographs from the many talented photographers who came to the event. You will be able to see what happened at the event as Google recently released a new Events feature on Google+. Users were able to connect to the event live from their mobile devices by selecting a Party Mode which allowed uploads of photographs and video. To see the some photos and video go here.
If you missed out on the walk don’t worry. There will be another photo walk planned later in the year. At this stage the location will most likely be around the Perth Hills although this will be advised later on.
Here is a quick shot from a mobile (excuse the quality) of some of the photographers who stayed on for breakfast after the event.
Now I’m off to Albany to photograph some whales so I hope to see some photos later on tonight.
Until then.
Happy Shooting.
I wanted to see what the Full HD video would be like on the Fujifilm X Pro 1 so I headed for the sand dunes…..
CAUTION: This video may put you to sleep ;)
The final photos photographed with the Fujifilm X Pro 1 can be seen below.
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f1.6 – 1/3800 sec
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f8 – 1/550 sec
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f8 – 1/1100 sec
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f16 – 1/640 sec
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f8 – 1/400 sec
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f9 – 1/450 sec
Fujifilm X Pro 1 – ISO 200 – 35mm – f16 – 1/350 sec
I found myself standing in front of billions of grains of sand forming a monumental mountain. The dirt danced in the air as short breaths of wind thrust the sand about. The wind howled, choreographing its own sandy air show. Sand clouds appeared before me – rising and falling in unison as they laid to rest upon the great dune. The sand was forever forming and changing.
I had a small window of opportunity to capture the magnificent wonder. My time was short and my lips were becoming parched from the windy conditions. I felt the threat of rain steadily approaching as the blackening gang of clouds rolled over toward me.
The camera strap felt secure around me neck as the cold wind tried to flatten me. My heels buried into the forgiving sand as I lined up for the shot. With a short steadying breath and cold metal pressed to cheek, I clicked the shutter button forging my first photo. The light and dark tones seemed to jump from the rear screen as I deciphered the small details of the dune. Upon noticing the detail it struck me the entire dune simply did not fit onto the small screen on the back of the camera – the dune was simply too big. Thinking about my options I decided to return the camera to a vertical shooting position and attempt a multi row panoramic.
My excitement to capture the perfect formation was child like. From left to right, overlapping RAW photos fired off one after another to replicate the scene in front of me. Full of energy and a spring in my step I proceeded to the car after the files saved quickly to the memory card. My thoughts of marrying the photos together and applying an artistic touch were unfathomable. I simply couldn’t wait to get home and put the photographs together.
I have included the original RAW photos below and additionally captured my screen as I turned the merged photos into a fine art photograph.
The above photos were stitched together using PTGui Pro
then edited using Adobe Photoshop CS5.
The end result
Do you want to take photos like this?
Leigh Diprose and Paul Pichugin will be hosting the Google+ One Year Anniversary Photowalk here in Fremantle, Western Australia
A photowalk is basically a bunch of photographers meeting together to photograph an area. Photowalks are a great way to meet other like minded people who share the same passion of photography. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional photographer – you are all welcome to come along. For me this is the perfect way to meet other local photographers!
If you are interested in coming along then feel free to join Paul and myself at this free event. The details are listed below.
The Details:
When: Saturday, June 30, 2012, 7:00am (sharp)
Where: Fremantle Fishing Harbour
SIGN UP and register: CLICK HERE
The Event: Sunrise is at 7.17am. The main photography shoot will be around Fremantle Boat Harbour at sunrise followed by a walk into the City of Fremantle capturing some of the old buildings. We will then finish at 9am for breakfast at The Attic in Fremantle (Bannister Road, Fremantle) were we can sort through photos, mingle and enjoy great food and coffee.
Paid and Free Parking can be found around the city. Also not listed on the map is a multi-story car park on Collie Street.
What to Bring – Camera and any photography equipment like memory cards, tripod, batteries etc…., money for breakfast (at The Attic) and a good pair of walking shoes.
For additional information on Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour you can visit the following website – http://www.fremantlefishingboatharbour.com/
If you have any questions please contact myself or Paul by posting a comment below this post.
Regards
Leigh Diprose
I have been working on this background for an interesting project – my self portrait. Over my many years of portrait photography I have never taken my own photograph so I’m considering it a challenge. Next month there will be a Photoshop video showing how I will get to the final image.
My self portrait is a work in progress….the background is sorted so now all I have to do is add in the rest….hopefully it works out.
The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded (on the right hand side of the blog).
June 2012 – Big Brook Dam 002.tiff
All I ask in return is:
PLEASE SHARE THIS POST
Enjoy.
The latest FREE fine art photograph is ready to be downloaded.
June 2012 – Port Gregory 011.tiff
(on the right hand side of the blog)
All I ask in return is:
PLEASE CLICK THE SHARE BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
Enjoy.
Everything has a beginning right?….it can only grow and get better from here!
Join me for the first official cameraED YouTube video as I travel out to Port Gregory located in Western Australia to photograph a landscape scene.
cameraED will be growing every day into a site that will be available for every budding photographer out there, professional or beginner. So sit back and enjoy the weekly videos all about photography!
Below is the final image I managed to capture before the battery died again!
Canon EOS 1D MK IV – ISO 50 – 40mm – f5.6 – 0.5 sec
I was going to head to Karijini at the end of the month to join up with Christian Fletcher (our Fujifilm X100 ambassador) but instead I will be heading to Karratha and Port Hedland. The logistics are just too much for my head at the moment…not to mention the cost! I’m looking forward to getting some decent shots on the drive from Port Hedland to Karratha so stay tuned.
Also if anyone is interested in the X100 they should register their names with Camera Electronic or Team Digital because we (Fujifilm) have organised a launch night on the 6th April. Strict numbers will apply as well as a very smart dress code!
For more information check out the Camera Electronic or Team Digital’s blog sites! I’ll see you there – although I will be working with my Fujifilm cap on!
Until then.
Happy shooting!
LEIGH DIPROSE 
