While I wait for Lightroom to support the X-T3, I have found a utility to convert the RAW files to DNGs that can be edited in Lightroom. Below are some random edited RAW DNG files from the last few weeks.
Testing the Fujifilm X-T3
I now have the Fujifilm X-T3 in my hands and I was able to take my first images. Overall the camera is very similar to the X-T2. A few under appreciated changes have made shooting with this new camera a joy to use. First is Bluetooth. I don’t have a need to sync my photos to my phone, but the Bluetooth connection has enabled seamless geotagging of my images, a feature I lost when I moved from Nikon to Fuji. The X-T3 also added an electronic 3D level, which is a nice feature when you are shooting handheld.
Another note. A lot of people have asked if you can use an X-T2 L bracket on the X-T3. I have confirmed the Really Right Stuff bracket does not fit. I contacted them and I am told pre-sales will start within the next 2 weeks for an updated L-Bracket.
Below are a few jpg images with minor edits. RAW support is not in Lightroom yet, so I am stuck working with jpg for a few more weeks. I can’t wait to start working with the RAW files.
Deer Creek Tribute Trail in Nevada City.
Acros film simulation.
Acros film simulation.
Acros film simulation.
The Book: Small Town Street Photography
I am now offering an 8x10 softcover 80 page street photography book, focusing on my best street images from the last 2 years. Priced at $24.99, it really is a great value.
Reno Balloon Races
After years of wanting to visit the huge balloon festival in Reno, I decided it was time to check it out for myself. The morning started out at 3:30 as the ballons begin to arrive.
As the crowds grow and the people arrive, the balloons begin to coordinate and glow together.
Sun soon rises and this added an entirely different glow to the balloons
Almost 100 balloons rise at the same time in a very impressive display.
Around 7:30am the event starts to break up and everyone begins walking back to the parking lot. This balloon hovered over the lake to give everyone a chance to take photos on the way out of the park.
Classic Yashica Mat Film
I have a couple of old Yashica Mat Twin Lens Reflex cameras and every once in a while, I like to break them out as a way to slow down and take a different style of photo.
I really enjoy the square aspect ratio that comes with the camera, along with the manual focus. I get my exposures by using an iPhone light meter app. I send my film to http://www.thedarkroom.com for processing and scanning.
City Park Series
It has been a few years since I added new images to my series of City Park photos. Grass Valley and Nevada City don't have very many parks to explore. I found this park just past downtown Grass Valley.
The colors and shapes in a park give an opportunity for more abstract images and shallow depth of field.
Nevada County Fair
One of the biggest events in Grass Valley is the Nevada County fair. The little fair in the forest. It's always a great place to capture photos of the rides, long exposures of the lights, fair food and street photography style images.
Nevada County Summer Streets
During the summar months, Grass Valley and Nevada City are busy with street fairs and farmers markets. Below are some of my favorite street photography images of the summer.
Woodland Sunflowers
All photographers have a bucket list of places they want to photograph. The Woodland sunflower fields is one of those places.
While the sky wasn't very exciting, I am still happy with the "hot summer" look I managed to get from a few of my images.
I used photoshop to blend multiple exposures to keep as much of the image in focus as possible.
This old oak tree is the element that makes this field super popular with photographers.
All of my images from this trip were taken with the Fujifilm X-T2, while this iPhone X image produce really outstanding color.
Oregon Creek Covered Bridge
I recently discovered this covered bridge about 20 minutes outside of Nevada City. The Oregon Creek is along the Yuba River in North San Juan. It is part of the Tahoe National Forest.
The bridge originally opened in the early 1870's and was totally restored in early 2018. I searched the web and found that the bridge was closed to traffic before it was rebuilt, because it was in such bad shape.
The rebuilt bridge uses some of the same wood that was used in the original bridge.
Under the bridge you will find a beautiful creek that is used for fishing and swimming.
This is a panorama made up of 5 images. Because my tripod wasn't totally level, you can see a little distortion in the bridge shape.
When you cross the bridge, you will find a large parking lot with bathrooms, park tables and a sandy beach that gives you access to this large open section of the river. You can swim and even use the rope swing.
Nevada County Corner Markets
Grass Valley and Nevada City have some interesting small town markets and grocery stores. Below are a few I have found, so far.
Dad's Restoration Project
My dad has been a geek since his early teenage years, with a love of all things ham radio. He supported the family by owning a small business that sold ham radio equipment. I grew up around dusty old ham radio equipment. I can still remember the unique smell you get from these antiques and seeing my dad work on these antiques bring up a lot of childhood memories.
He is retired now, but he still has a love for radios and radio equipment. He recently developed a passion for morse code keys, the history behind them and restoring these little communication devices. Most of them come to him covered in grease and dust. He takes each one apart and restores them back to working condition.
Just a sample of over 100 in my father's collection.
Many of the 100's he has collected were made in the early 1900's and 1940's. Below is a small handful that he has already restored or are in different phases of restoration.
The graphics on this box are really amazing. Inside is all the original documentation and equipment, in original condition.
This device uses a punch tape to transit sounds. It was used for training.
This was a military device, still waiting restoration.
Another still waiting to be restored.
Wildflowers of Independence Trail
I returned to Independence Trail this week to see how it has changed with the spring weather.
While the boardwalks are the most unique part of the trail, it is the wildflowers that are always changing.
Pictures just don't show the 3D shape of these puffy flowers.
Roadside Nevada County
Nevada county has a few roadside attractions that are unique and fun to visit:
Grass Valley robot
This Tin Man and Tin Woman in Nevada City play Wizard of Oz music when you push his bellybutton.
Rough and Ready has an entire mini town dedicated to Gold Mining history.
More from Rough and Ready
Clark's in Nevada City
Old Shell station in Penn Valley (Bridgeport)
Nevada City Dark Tourism
I always find cemetery shooting to be a challenge. I don't always know what compositions will work best to bring out the details of the old headstones and statues. This week I decided to try shooting with the Fujifilm 80mm macro lens and I think it was a perfect choice. I think this will probably be my goto lens for future cemetery visits. A few samples are below.
Long Exposure on the South Yuba
I recently purchased a Lee Filters ProGlass 10 Stop filter. This impressive Lee Filter is designed to eliminate pink color casting found in many other 10-stop filters. I am very happy with the results produced by the filter on the Fuji X-T2. I didn't have to spend any time changing white balance in lightroom or tweaking the image to remove unusual pink colors.
South Yuba River in Nevada City.
13 second exposure. f/16. ISO 100. 16mm lens. Mid day sun.
When using the almost totally black 10-stop filter, the Fuji X-T2 is able to accurately calculate exposure time with the normal light meter. I didn't need to spend any time calculating the exposure time before shooting, unlike using the Nikon D810, which requires the use of an exposure conversion chart. I was also able to compose the shot and lock focus, without removing the filter from the camera. Just one more reason why mirrorless is ahead of DSLR cameras.
7 Portraits, 30 Minutes
I had the opportunity to shoot High School Prom photos in Auburn yesterday. After a long search for an ideal location, we settled on The Ridge golf course, which is surrounded by beautiful oak trees.
The biggest challenge for the night, beyond having only about 30 minutes to shoot 7 different kids, was the wind and cold. I think the temp was around 55 degrees. These are a few of the 30+ images I edited.
Tulip Gardens in Nevada City
For one month a year (in April), you can visit the Crystal Hermitage gardens in Nevada City. These impressive gardens feature around 17,000 tulips and flowering trees in a beautiful hillside location, about 25 minutes from downtown Nevada City.
Fujifilm 16mm lens. The building in the background is a small church.
The gardens are visited by 1000's of people and it seems like everyone is taking pictures with either cell phones or full size DSLR cameras. With all of the colors and different types of flowers, you can imagine why it is so popular.
Fujifilm 16mm lens
Fujifilm 16mm lens. Only about 60% of the tulips are flowering when this image was taken.
Fuifilm 16mm
If you are a Macro shooter, these gardens are a great opportunity to get close to some flowers and maybe a few bugs.
Fujifilm 80mm f2.8 Maco lens
Fujifilm 80mm f2.8 Maco lens
Fujifilm 80mm f2.8 Maco lens. In addition to flowers, you will find status and water features.
Model Kelsey Jackson
I had a chance to do some portrait work with the wonderful model Kelsey Jackson. Below are a few of my favorite images. If you ever want to shoot portraits with me, drop me an email.
Fujifilm 80mm Macro Lens
I recently picked up the Fujifilm 80mm Macro lens and from the moment I held this lens, I knew it was special. First thing you will notice about this lens is the size. It is a pretty large and heavy lens, made of all metal and glass. The only plastic seems to come from the lens hood. Even with the weight, it seems to balance well on the Fuji X-T2, even without a grip. When I really noticed the weight was when it was in my camera bag.
As other people have said, the sharpness of this lens is insane. But even more impressive is how smooth the backgrounds are when using this lens. It is by far the highest quality glass I have used and I expect to be using it for a lot more then just close up macro photography.
The image stabilization made it possible to shoot sharp images like this without a tripod.
Shot handheld, thanks to the outstanding OIS features included with this lens.
Shot in the blacksmith shop at Empire Mine State Park.
Another handheld flower image.
Like all Macro lenses, the depth of field is very shallow, so locating the ideal focus point can be a challenge. Overall I thought the lens focused quickly when used inside and outside. Being able to work without a tripod gives me the freedom to quickly move around the subject.
Empire Mine blacksmith shop
I really like how well this lens gives you a feeling of depth, even when shooting directly at something like this old rusty gear.