Fujifilm TCL-X100 Teleconverter Comparison & Thoughts

I recently purchased a new lens for my Fujifilm X100. It is the TCL-X100 teleconverter from Fujifilm, and I took some time this past week to try it out. Rather than give a huge breakdown of specs and results from pixel-peeping, I will simply show you some sample images I have taken. Some images show the comparison of the camera's lens vs. with the teleconverter, and I have included a sample of a portrait as well. Bear in mind, these are the jpgs straight out of the camera, and were quite literally just snapshots. Nothing fancy, just some real-world images that anyone might make.

The first two images were taken from the exact same spot, same settings, the first without the teleconverter lens (35mm equiv.) and the second with the teleconverter (50mm equiv.). These were taken at Batttery Sater in Fort Hunt, VA.

 

Note the significant amount of difference between the two focal lengths. More interesting however, at least to me, is the image quality is still superb. In my experience, teleconverters usually create a noticeable degradation in image quality which is certainly not the case here.

The second set of images is from Battery Mount Vernon in Fort Hunt, VA. Again, taken from the same spot, and having the same focal lengths as listed above you can see a significant difference between the focal lengths, but not in quality from one to the other.

Aperture settings are unaffected by the teleconverter, nor are any other settings. Fujifilm has done a marvelous job of marrying this lens to this camera. I am thrilled with the results. As you can see in the image below, it also should work nicely as a portrait lens. This shot is of my daughter at the Georgetown waterfront in Washington, D.C. with Rosslyn, VA just across the Potomac River.

If you would like to know more about the TCL-X100 or the X100 from Fujifilm, feel free to contact me. I am always happy to share what I know as well as my experiences. Thanks for stopping by!

Another Icon in Limbo

"Lenox Lounge 2014" © 2014

When someone mentions great Jazz, Harlem comes to mind. Venues like the original Cotton Club and the Apollo come to mind, with their iconic neon signs and storied histories of arguably the greatest musicians of the 20th century playing their music night after night. The Lenox Lounge was another historical venue that had seen good times and bad.

On a recent visit to NYC, I explored Harlem and sought out some of the historic places to see how they had fared over the years. Of course the Cotton Club is no longer where it once was, nor is the Apollo. And while I did not have a chance to visit the old site nor the new Cotton Club, I did get a chance to stop by the Apollo. Surrounded by chain stores and street vendors, I was disappointed, yet still felt nostalgic over at least being able to walk into the theater and say I had been there. The Lenox Lounge was a completely different story, and I could not wait to get there!

A quick search on google told me I was close so I was on my way! According to the website, they opened from 4pm-4am, and had quite a nice menu. A recent renovation which restored all the early art deco decor would undoubtedly ensure a quality experience, right? As you can see from the photo above, the Lenox lounge was not only not quite as advertised, but had been stripped and shuttered since early 2012.

Apparently, when the lease expired, rent was increased so much the owner decided it just wasn't feasible and decided to sell. It was also decided that a new Lenox Lounge would be opened two blocks away, so rather than honor the sale agreement with the new owners, the previous owner stripped all the decor, the sign and even the flooring and wall coverings to be used in the new space!

As of May 2014, the old and new owners appear to be embroiled in a $25 million lawsuit over the details of the sale with each other, with the old owners nearly out of money, and neither location looking like they will be opening any time soon. Meanwhile, yet another historic institution sits in ruin, with a very bleak future.

For the sake of comparison, this is what Lenox Lounge once looked like... notice how even the outer wall coverings were stripped!

Thanks for stopping by!

Whirlwind!

The title says it all, at least in regard to the past five weeks or so! There have been many, many changes and happenings around here, and quite frankly, it has been a little difficult to keep up with it all!

Various members of the family have travelled to Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, and New York all for various reasons: some work, some play, some a combination of the two. Add in wrapping up my first semester teaching at Sitar Arts Center, starting a new position with Georgetown Ministry Center (A day center focused on providing services and outreach to the homeless), attending basketball tournaments nearly every weekend and being accepted to graduate school, you can see, things have been moving along quite quickly!

As usual, there is no sign of anything slowing down anytime soon. Already more travel on the horizon, projects, tournaments, and more. Living life fully is something to strive for, and it is something our family seems to make happen on a regular basis. 

I will try and get a few photos up in the next week or so of my latest excursion. I will also provide a more detailed update as to what I am up to. Thanks for reading!

Old vs. New

Yesterday afternoon I was leading my digital photography students on a walkabout through the Adams Morgan area of Washington, D.C. for their black and white lesson. We set out to explore luminance, texture, and interest. Walking up 18th Street, amid some of the best restaurants in the District, was an example of what until recently was considered commonplace... a smashed storefront window.

It goes to show that certain elements of the "old DC" still exist, despite the best efforts of gentrification. The neighborhood is interesting because it really is where old meets new, and not just in vandalism, but also in merchants and the streets. There are still a number of ethnic enclaves in this neighborhood, right along side the latest "interlopers" who are trying to re-purpose the neighborhood into the latest hot-spot.

Where else can you find falafel next to a bourbon bar next to indian food, across the street from a tattoo shop and Turkish deli? Right around the corner is a man from Eastern Europe selling the finest knock-off handbags money can buy (within at least a couple blocks). THAT is diversity, and I think it is the foundation of a true "neighborhood".

It is troubling to see a storefront smashed like above. At the same time it is troubling to see the unique character of the neighborhood slowly slipping away in the interest of hip, chic, restaurants and clubs. While I do not have the answer as to how to preserve the neighborhoods unique character while making it a safe and vibrant area, I see there is ample room for discussion. I only hope the neighborhood is working together to preserve said character, rather than simply focusing on the bottom dollar.

Beside Myself...

I couldn't believe it. There I was, at a gallery opening with fellow photographers and artists, where I had a few images being exhibited. Overall response to my work was fantastic, with a plethora of positive comments and reactions, which is awesome! I was engaged in a conversation with a fellow photographer who was going on about one of my images, and how much he liked it. He was asking me about it, and I was relating the story about when I made it. He asked "So, what do you shoot with?". I explained that for years I have been a Canon guy, but since acquiring my Fuji X100 back in 2011, I rarely shoot with anything else. His response absolutely blew me away...

He said "Wow, I guess I need to look into that camera if it can make pictures like that". I have heard similar statements before, but generally from those who have no understanding of the time, determination and skill it takes to make a great image. I did not expect a comment like this from a fellow photographer.

Why did this set me off you might ask? It is quite simple really. Would you ask a chef who just made an amazing dinner what kind of stove he used? Would you suggest that with the same kind of stove, you would get the same result? No, because it would not be the stove making your meal... it still takes a chef, and you understand that. Photography is no different. Does equipment make a difference? Only to a very limited degree. I have seen amazing photos taken with disposable cameras. I have also seen many less than stellar images produced from camera rigs costing thousands of dollars.

A photograph that makes you take notice is the culmination of years of practice, training and implementation of knowledge. Sure, great photos can happen on accident occasionally, but as a rule the camera is not what makes the image special. It is the technical merit of the photograph and the process to get there that matters most. The camera is merely the tool a photographer uses in their chosen trade/profession. No different than a stove, pans, or spatulas. It truly is what one does with his/her tools that makes the difference.

Photography is an art. It is not simply the creation of a tool that magically occurs in haphazard fashion. It takes years of training and dedication to be proficient. A nice camera just makes the process more enjoyable, just like a nice stove. Don't credit the camera, credit the photographer!

The next time you talk to a photographer and you like their work, a simple compliment will suffice. Be respectful of their devotion to their trade/craft, and enjoy what they have created. Odds are, that was the intent of the photographer in the first place... to create an image that has a lasting effect on you.

Thanks for listening.

Getty Giving Up?

UPDATE: HERE is a link to another article that better explains what is happening with Getty Images and the impacts on photographers and the industry in general, as well as just how valuable your information is to them...

ORIGINAL POST: Long the gold standard in licensed images, Getty recently announced they were going to make nearly all the images in their library free for non-commercial use. Yes, you read that correctly, free, as in, you do not have to pay a licensing fee to use the image unless it is for commercial use. Although, like anything that is "free", there is also a bit of a catch. The images will still be housed on the Getty servers, but will allow consumers to use embeddable code to link the image in their blog, on Facebook, etc.

It sounds as if Getty has realized they cannot go around suing the millions of people that use Getty images for personal use, but they can use those same consumers to try and leverage advertising dollars. It looks like Getty will begin doing what the likes of YouTube have done, and will utilize this new embrace of embeddable code to sell targeted advertising in an effort to increase revenues. So, non-licensed use has traded a watermark for a privacy-invading line of code that will be used to try and sell products and services that their algorithm determines you are likely to be interested in.

As a photographer, I cannot help but wonder what all the people who rely on residuals from Getty might feel about all this? I recognize that many of the images found on Getty have been available for "free" through nefarious means in the past, but does this new stance actually encourage people to not pay for a photographer's work? By no longer requiring consumers to pay for the right to use the images, what then is the incentive to add images to Getty? To me, this seems like a slippery slope, and just might spell doom for stock photographers worldwide.

HERE is one of the many articles available online right now regarding the decision made by Getty. With the many questions and realms this affects, the fallout could be huge (or it could be virtually non-existent). At any rate, the landscape of photography is changing every day, and we photographers need to be sure to stay on top of the shifts and either fight to keep things the same, or champion change.

I am curious how you might feel about this policy change. Thanks for reading.

Photographer's Rights

As a photographer who does a great deal of work in public spaces, the issue of my rights as a photographer are always top-of mind. This is in large part due to nearly every week I read another article about a photographer who was making images in a public space, for whatever reason, and misinformed police officers will demand the photographer stop recording "x" event, demand to view the captured images, might demand the images be deleted, or even arrest the photographer. These instances can be an infringement on a photographers First and Fourth Amendment rights.

You see, photography is protected as a means of expression (First Amendment) and the images on your camera are protected from law enforcement's illegal search and seizure (Fourth Amendment). The following link will take you to an interview with NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) attorney Mickey Osterreicher as he explains a photographer's rights, and what to do if those are violated. It is an informative piece, and worth the few minutes it will take to watch.

Check it out HERE

New Inspirations...

Inspiration comes in many forms, and in this case, for me, it comes in the form of a new printer. That new printer is a Canon Pixma Pro 100 large format printer. Above is the new addition to my studio space, which allows me to create my own archival borderless prints up to 13" x 19". 

The ability to print my own large-scale photographs, with ultimate control over papers, finishes, color-matching and the like is empowering to say the least. Additionally, it is more cost-effective and a MUCH faster turnaround than ordering from a traditional lab.

Seeing my own images that I have created start to finish in my creative space is also something I have never done in the past, and I find it is driving me to create more great images to showcase. The way I designed the presentation lends itself to experimentation as well, where I can display various papers/finishes side-by-side. 

All in all, I am pleased with not only my new Pixma Pro 100, but also how it is allowing me to transform my creative space in an inspirational way. I am also excited at the prospect of being able to fulfill my own orders in nearly any size in a professional manner with archival quality materials.

Well, on to the next project! Thanks for stopping by!

Day 0: The End

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the premature departure of Dino. Unfortunately, his eulogy isn't full of praise, but rather disappointment. In his short life as a 365 project, he failed to inspire or ignite any creativity within me as I had hoped he would. Instead, he left me feeling the pressure of needing to complete a task, and little more. I am thankful for his attempt, and do not assign all the blame on Dino. We were to be a team, and that just never materialized. Instead, perhaps, we became the bane to each other's creative existence... Simply, it was not meant to be. In just over a week we did cover a lot of ground, but Dino was always the dark cloud looming overhead, raining on my proverbial free-spirited parade. Now he is gone. May he rest in plastic dinosaur peace.

My plan is to seek creative inspiration elsewhere in the world around me, such as with the experience of teaching digital photography to a group of youths this semester. This experiment feels like a catalyst to jump-start that inspiration with the realization that it takes more than an ill-conceived gimmicky 365 project to get my motor running. Changing gears again, except this time, from a sincere place.

Thanks for checking back!

Day 9: The Grammys

Listening to Carole King

Day 8: Late Night Post

It's late and we have a house full of my daughter's basketball team jamming on Mario Cart. Trying to get work done...

Day 7: It Was Yesterday, and I Forgot

This Dino a Day is more challenging than I had anticipated! I realized at about 1:30 this morning that I had in fact forgotten to snap Dino for day 7. Embarrassing really, not a full week in and already a slip-up. Perhaps I should have made it occur at the same time every day, thus allowing for a daily reminder on my iPhone. As a matter of fact, I think that is exactly what I will do! Now I just have to determine what time that should be... Regardless, my apologies. Moving forward, I hope to have this more dialed in. I also hope it serves to inspire me, rather than simply inconvenience me... only time will tell I suppose!

Day 6: Dino + Paint = ???

Day 5: Dino in a Blanket

Well, sort of...

Day 4: Dino in the Snow

Uncommon for the DC area, we had about 4" of snow today, which makes it very difficult for a dinosaur to get around! 

Day 3: Relaxing by the Fire

After an adventurous weekend in NYC, Dino decides to relax by the fire back at home...

Day 2: Dino at the end of a grand NYC adventure

Day 1: Dino on Broadway

Coming Up...

In just a couple weeks, I will begin teaching my first photography class. The semester begins January 27th, and I am very excited to be teaching Digital Photography at the Sitar Arts Center in Washington, D.C.

The Sitar Arts Center is a community center offering after-school programming for under-served youth in the arts. Classes include photography (digital and traditional dark-room), dance, theater, various painting/drawing classes, musical instrument instruction and more! More information can be found at the Sitar website regarding their history, programs and much much more!

I am also ramping up the courage to begin a 365 project. I know this is a somewhat tired concept, but I really think it will re-invigorate me creatively, provide me a new challenge, as well as be something just a little different and quirky.

Mine will actually be a "Dino-a-Day" project, where I showcase the little toy dinosaur that came included with my order from photojojo (thanks guys!) in various locales and situations. The folks over at photojojo have a knack for keeping things interesting and fun, so now it's my turn to re-gift some of their quirkiness with you.

Some days I might just post the photo, others I might provide details and a story. Others might have both a dino post and a completely unrelated post on the same day. I really just don't know yet, as I have never attempted a daily project before.

Other than that, nothing too big here. I am hoping to get my studio space finished up soon, and begin work on a couple pieces I have in mind, as well as re-visiting my website and its design as I feel like my website needs a new and fresh look. I have a couple ideas...

Wish me luck and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Holidays!

Another year has passed by, full of surprises, adventures, ups and downs. The good news however, is we survived, and have many fantastic memories to reflect upon, as well as some lessons learned. I know I am also grateful for the many opportunities life has afforded me, and for the vast support from those in my life. I am also very proud to say I earned my BS in Sociology from Boise State University, graduating December 20.

Looking ahead to the new year, I cannot wait to begin new adventures, see more of the world, and enjoy the time with family and friends that is so precious. One of my first adventures will be teaching digital photography at the Sitar Arts Center in Washington, D.C. What other adventures I embark upon will remain to be seen, but I am also putting a renewed focus on my photography as well as my art. Look for some new projects and pieces throughout the year.

To all of you, I wish you all the best. Happy New Year and here's to making 2014 the best year yet!