Walk to the Marina - Ricoh GRII
After my workout at the gym, I decided to enjoy some of the remaining days of summer by walking to the Marina. Since I just had my gym bag with me, I packed my Ricoh GRII in it. Little did I know, the battery inside of it was almost dead, and the extra one, was also quite low too. Regardless, I just made sure to conserve power as much as I could.
After my workout at the gym, I decided to enjoy some of the remaining days of summer by walking to the Marina. Since I just had my gym bag with me, I packed my Ricoh GRII in it. Little did I know, the battery inside of it was almost dead, and the extra one, was also quite low too. Regardless, I just made sure to conserve power as much as I could.
I don’t use this camera enough, because each time I do, I’m amazed (not surprised) by the pure fun and image quality it produces. Admittedly, the focal length of 28mm isn’t my favourite, but it forces me out of my comfort zone. Actually, I just invested in a used medium format camera and the first lens I got is around a 28mm equivalent in 35mm so there you go.
Overall, it was a great walk, and I just took my time and captured whatever caught me eye. I ended up at the Marina just before sunset. There was some beautiful lighting and even after the sun set, I came away with a few keepers. I’m very much looking forward to using this little powerhouse of a camera more soon.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Admittedly I have been doing a lot of video lately, both paid and practice, so my personal photography has taken a bit of back seat. Well, I finally got outside and walked around, with no goal other than to photograph whatever caught my eye.
Admittedly I have been doing a lot of video lately, both paid and practice, so my personal photography has taken a bit of back seat. I find it a little hard to do both at the same time, unless of course it’s a paid gig. The thing with video is that it’s a completely different way of thinking, at least for me. Well, I finally got outside and walked around, with no goal other than to photograph whatever caught my eye.
My camera of choice was my beloved Canon EOS R. Man, what a fantastic camera. I do not understand the initial hate that camera got. Especially for my professional work, the ability to quickly switch from photos to videos has been priceless. For this walk, I paired it with my favourite Canon lens, the 50mm 1.2. I am sucker for almost always shooting wide open so you can guess what aperture I’m using 90 percent of the time. That, and it renders beautifully. I can only imagine what the RF mount version looks like. But I digress.
Up until this past spring I worked around my Mazda dealership and used to always go for walks around the area on my lunch break. Seeing as how I have been fully home-based for the past 4 months, it had been a while since I did my route. So, after dropping off my car for a check up, I went off exploring. The first stop was the garden area right beside the police station. I had driven past it various times over the last few weeks and noticed how tall all the plants were so it was the perfect opportunity to go there and see how it looks.
It would have been nice to have a macro lens but I still managed to get some nice flower photos and other interesting shots as well. The grass was wet so my feet were kind of water logged after a while but it was worth it. From there I started to make my way through Lakehead University. Instead of the paved path I took the side dirt trail that runs along the river. I brought my ND filter with me just in case and I’m super happy I did as I got a couple long exposure photos of the stream.
Since I didn’t want to carry my coffee with me when I left the house, I made my way to the Starbucks in the University and treated myself to a flat white. Super tasty. I soon got the phone call that the car was ready, so I made my way back and that was that. It felt really good to be out walking again. I truly do find it therapeutic.
Afternoon Stroll with the X-Pro2
I recently traded in my Fuji X-T1 and a couple lenses I don't use any more for a Fuji X-Pro2. Even though it's been out for quite a awhile now, I was simply looking for it to come down in a price a bit possibly get a bit of deal. Luckily for me, Greg at the local camera store, is always willing to barter and I was able to pry his X-Pro2 from him. I have been using it non stop for about a week since I got it. Below are some of my thoughts on how it has performed so far.
I recently traded in my Fuji X-T1 and a couple lenses I don't use any more for a Fuji X-Pro2. Even though it's been out for quite a awhile now, I was simply looking for it to come down in a price a bit possibly get a bit of deal. Luckily for me, Greg at the local camera store, is always willing to barter and I was able to pry his X-Pro2 from him. I have been using it non stop for about a week since I got it. Below are some of my thoughts on how it has performed so far.
This particular post it all about my usual random photos during my walks. Even though I will be using the X-Pro2 for the upcoming wedding season and all my other paid photography, I will most definitely be using it as my walk around camera as well. Check out my main blog for my first engagement session shot with the X-Pro2 later today. I'll quickly go over how it performed and initial thoughts.
Ok, so for this photo walk I used it simply as my walk around camera. I brought Willow along with me and we headed to one of the local elementary schools. That way, Willow can roam free, even though she stays by my side anyways, and I'm then allowed to just focusing on taking photos.
For these walks, and all the ones before it, I don't really have a goal in mind beforehand, I just typically shoot whatever captures my eye. Whether it's colours, symmetry or shadows, I try to find interesting compositions.
The X-Pro2 performed flawlessly, although, I was essentially taking static shots of still objects, so I wasn't necessarily challenging it very much. With that being said, the colours, metering and especially autofocus really good. Because the sun was out I mainly used the OVF, since it was easier to and focus. As I mentioned above, I think I will write a more detailed 'review' in the coming week or so. For now, enjoy the images below.
Cumberland Street Walk
I had the afternoon off and it was a decently warm day so I grabbed my camera and headed down to Cumberland Street. It had been a while since I had the chance to walk around this area to take photos so I figured it was as good a time as any. As I usually do, I parked the car and wandered in and out of the back alleys looking for anything the caught my me.
I had the afternoon off and it was a decently warm day so I grabbed my camera and headed down to Cumberland Street. It had been a while since I had the chance to walk around this area to take photos so I figured it was as good a time as any. As I usually do, I parked the car and wandered in and out of the back alleys looking for anything the caught my me.
Parts of Cumberland Street remind me a bit of East End. There are some really cool old looking houses which I'm actually not sure if anyone lives in anymore, but I'm assuming they do. Plus, if you really look at the finer details, which I love to do, there are plenty of hidden gyms either partially buried in the snow, or propped up against a building.
I often try to get in a really close to isolate my subjects as anyone who views my images has probably noticed. I often have to force myself to step back and take in the whole scene. It's not that I can't do it, it's just that I love framing small scenes in my own way. As with most of my photo walks, I almost always take just one camera and one prime lens. This walk was no different. I used my Nikon D750 and the very cheap but wickedly awesome lens, the 50mm 1.8. If you are on a budget, and looking to buy one prime lens, this is the one you should start off with in my humble opinion.
Thank for viewing!
Saturday Walk with Willow
The weather warmed up just a little bit this past weekend so I was able to get out and take some photos without losing feeling in my fingers. Plus, we brought Willow over for the weekend so I had another excuse to get out and walk.
The weather warmed up just a little bit this past weekend so I was able to get out and take some photos without losing feeling in my fingers. Plus, we brought Willow over for the weekend so I had another excuse to get out and walk.
I kept it simple for this walk, just around the neighbourhood. Although I still wanted to go to at least one spot where Willow could roam free for a bit while I take photos. That destination ended up being the elementary school down the road. I always challenge myself to find photos in even the most mundane things. As soon as I saw the playground in the school, I knew I could come way with some great shots. I saw a lot of great colours. Even the school itself had some interesting elements to photograph. Or at least, that's how I saw it. One of my favourite photos of the walk was the one I used as the header, the Canada flag. It happened to be great timing with the sun and I waited patiently for the wind to blow just the right way.
My camera of choice this time around was the Fuji X-T1 paired with the 16-55mm lens. I mentioned in another post that I had been using my Nikon D750 almost all of the time. Lately I have been taking the XT-1 instead and I am loving it. I almost forgot how great the colours are straight out of the camera. And it's just so easy to use. Switching it up with the zoom lens was also a nice change too, seeing as how I always use primes.
Willow was patient the whole time. She just waited by my side, off leash, as I took photos. Very cute. Of course she did do a few rolls in the snow to cool off. Stay tuned for photos from my Sunday walk, which I once again did with Willow. Thanks for viewing!
Cumberland Street
Here are a few photos taken during the afternoon last week. This is pretty much all around Cumberland Street on the main stretch and off the beaten path a bit. Instead of my usual XT-1 combo I brought along my Nikon D610 and 85mm. It may be a bit heavier but it's still a fun duo to use when walking around. Thanks for viewing!
Here are a few photos taken during the afternoon last week. This is pretty much all around Cumberland Street on the main stretch and off the beaten path a bit. Instead of my usual XT-1 combo I brought along my Nikon D610 and 85mm. It may be a bit heavier but it's still a fun duo to use when walking around. Thanks for viewing!
East End
The other week I managed to walk around East End a bit and below are some of my favourite photos from the day. I even got some Halloween decorations in there as well. I just love all the old homes in this area as well as the train yard. It was a cloudy day so as you can see everything is kind of muted but I actually like it. It tells you that winter is definitely on it's way.
The other week I managed to walk around East End a bit and below are some of my favourite photos from the day. I even got some Halloween decorations in there as well. I just love all the old homes in this area as well as the train yard. It was a cloudy day so as you can see everything is kind of muted but I actually like it. It tells you that winter is definitely on it's way.
I also was able to walk to the overpass and get some great shots of the not only the bridge, but the view from the bridge. It's the first time I actually walked on the bridge and it's amazing what you can see when you actually stop to look. Every other time I have been on the overpass it's been in a car so obviously it is a bit hard to appreciate the view.
My camera of choice this time around was my Fuji X-T1 paired with the 35mm. All of the photos were shot as jpg's and edited in Lightroom. Thanks for viewing.
Exploring McKenzie Street
I'm just getting to this post as it's been a busy week with photography I actually get paid for. Last week I managed to get out for a bit and walk around, in the rain. But hey, the weather isn't always going to cooperate so you just have to go with the flow. This time around I ended up around the McKenzie Street area. As I always do, I just walked around aimlessly with no direction looking for photo opportunities.
I'm just getting to this post as it's been a busy week with photography I actually get paid for. Last week I managed to get out for a bit and walk around, in the rain. But hey, the weather isn't always going to cooperate so you just have to go with the flow. This time around I ended up around the McKenzie Street area. As I always do, I just walked around aimlessly with no direction looking for photo opportunities.
If something catches my eye, whether it is colour, composition or even something that just looks out of place, I take a photo. It may not always be a keeper but you'd be surprised how often a photo you didn't really think would turn out, ends up being one of your favourites. Of course, sometimes you take a photos and you just know right away that it's going to be definite keeper.
During this walk, my favourite by far, was the one of the 3 suit jackets hanging on the outside window. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to take a photo. The fact that they were perfectly aligned and contrasting in colour and style made for the perfect photo op.
The camera of choice this time around as my trusted X-T1 paired with the 35mm. The X-T1 is waterproof but the 35mm isn't. So, even though it was just a slight drizzle, I was still careful to always shield it from the rain as much as I could. After using my full frame Nikons a lot lately, it was a nice break to pull out the X-T1.
Thanks for viewing!
Walking the East End with the Fuji XE-1 + 16mm 1.4
It was starting to get late last night when I got the urge to just get out and walk around and take some photos. Although it may not be generally known as the nicest part of town, I'm usually drawn to the East Side when taking photos. I guess I just love the atmosphere. The rain was slowly creeping in but luckily it held off long enough for me to really put the Fuji 16mm lens to the test. My camera of choice was a simple one, since it is currently the only once I can mount the lens to, the Fuji XE-1. For a while I was trying to sell it but I figured I would give pull it out of hibernation and start using it again. It may not be the fastest camera but over the past week of using it, it has taken some of my favourite photos of the year.
It was starting to get late last night when I got the urge to just get out and walk around and take some photos. Although it may not be generally known as the nicest part of town, I'm usually drawn to the East Side when taking photos. I guess I just love the atmosphere. The rain was slowly creeping in but luckily it held off long enough for me to really put the Fuji 16mm lens to the test. My camera of choice was a simple one, since it is currently the only once I can mount the lens to, the Fuji XE-1. For a while I was trying to sell it but I figured I would give pull it out of hibernation and start using it again. It may not be the fastest camera but over the past week of using it, it has taken some of my favourite photos of the year.
So I set off into the East End with that combo and wandered around aimlessly, like I usually do. The first stop was the East End bridge to get a few expansive shots of the neighbourhood. The 16mm is probably becoming one of my favourite lenses, not only for landscapes, but just for general use. It is sharp all the way through, focuses extremely fast (even on the XE-1) and produces great tones. With a lens this wide, it's hard not to play with the angles a bit as you can see from the first image.
After walking in and out of some of the streets I decided to drive on over to the long path that overlooks the Sleeping Giant. With the clouds rolling in and a hint of the sunset it made for some nice dramatic photos. All in all it was a fun walk around. It goes to show you that even if it is raining out, there are always opportunities to just get out there and create some good photos. Of course, make sure your camera is waterproof.
(The last image is of our dog Willow. I couldn't help but take a photo of her all curled up outside in the rain when I got home... such a hard life.)
All images shot with the XE-1 and 16mm 1.4. Enjoy!
