Inspiration

Photography and the COVID Pandemic

It’s been a long time coming and to say the least 2020 has been the biggest challenge, struggle, roadblock ….. you name it. We all have likely had our own demons and issues getting through the last year and we are all in this together. 2020 was particularly tough for me this last year, not only were we dealing with the events of the pandemic, lockdown and the “new normal” but I personally had health challenges take its toll on me for the last 12 months. There were months where I questioned would I even make it through 2020, as my mind would race on what is going on with my health. These conditions would linger for the next twelve months. So many things I can write about but I have been taking it one day at a time and slowly been working my way back. Its been almost a year since I last posted a new blog but it almost feels like an absolute achievement to be writing here again. Today is really to talk about what’s changed in my life, what things I have overcome and what I have been shooting during these crazy times. Hopefully this will inspire you to go out there and shoot again as we all look forward to getting past and flushing this pandemic down the toilet.

Photography and the COVID Pandemic

Leica M10 decision over the SL2 and Q2

It’s always a temptation to want the newest and shiniest things in life but after hands on use and a thoughtful consideration I moved to a direction that I was not expected and so far I have not looked back. This post is my decision and thought process on how I chose the Leica M10 over the SL2 and Q2.

Leica M10 decision over the SL2 and Q2

A Weekend in Boracay with the Fuji X100F

A travel review of the X100F on a trip to Boracay Island, Philippines. Experiencing the colors and beauty of the beaches, sunsets and beach life.

A Weekend in Boracay with the Fuji X100F

Exploring north eastern France with the Leica SL

The last year has been a challenging one to say the least and it has been quite a while since I last posted, shared or wrote any content on my site. We all run thru trials and tribulations and the last six months has had me stay away from writing. I am restarting and kicking the wheels on getting the ball moving here again and as a first post in almost a year I would like to share some time I spent last summer in the quaint small towns of northeastern France. Having been to Paris for a second time in the last few years we wanted to explore the countryside of France and ended up visiting the towns of Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg. Definitely a change from the city of love and the bright lights of Paris but lovely and charming in its own way and right. Beginning the second year of owning the Leica SL, this would just be another place to continue to put the test to the Leica SL.

Exploring north eastern France with the Leica SL

Sub Zero Weather with the Leica SL

Recently an opportunity came across my lap and got me excited, my brother in law was looking into getting into the Leica system and was jumping straight into it with purchasing a Leica Noctilux. He has asked me to purchase it in advance and my only response was heck yeah as this would give me a week to try out the legendary Noctilux. Its very rare that you get to hold and shoot with a $10,000 lens so this was an opportunity that I was excited for and had me waiting for the UPS truck to arrive. 

Sub Zero Weather with the Leica SL

Leica SL in Manila, Philippines

Recently an opportunity came across my lap and got me excited, my brother in law was looking into getting into the Leica system and was jumping straight into it with purchasing a Leica Noctilux. He has asked me to purchase it in advance and my only response was heck yeah as this would give me a week to try out the legendary Noctilux. Its very rare that you get to hold and shoot with a $10,000 lens so this was an opportunity that I was excited for and had me waiting for the UPS truck to arrive. 

Leica SL in Manila, Philippines

Packing light and ready to go

Travel Photography is all about being on the go and exploring countries, cities and small towns of the world. Those of you who follow me know that my philosophy in photography is one lens and one camera and being agile and ready to go is the biggest advantage in just going out and shooting photos. Trusting in a single focal length for that particular day, shoot or walk is the approach I take as this will let me just focus on framing my composition.

Packing light and ready to go

The Decision: Leica SL

Today is a new day, and with a painful heart I am moving on from the Leica Q to try out the Leica SL. Over the last 18 months I really have grown one with my Leica Q and it has never let me down. It has so far been the best camera experience I have ever had and as I am writing the new post I also have posted my Leica Q for sale to fund the Leica SL purchase. Finally deciding to push forward I find myself in a torn situation with a feeling of potential regret of moving on from the Leica Q. I might shed a tear but its unreasonable to have two pricey cameras. I would like to start this post with my greatest appreciation for the Leica Q, it truly is a magnificent camera, and even to this date, its still has an amazing image quality and soul to it. More than two years since its release it still hold up well with newer cameras today. Had I not decided to move to the Leica SL.

The Decision: Leica SL

Opening a Leica feels like Christmas as a 5 year old

Opening new gear is pure joy, I know you all have been there. Ordering your gear, unboxing the gear and feeling, touching and testing out your new toys. This was always a great feeling that fuels your G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) to want more. But ever since moving to a Leica system the love for my gear has exponentially grown. Yes you sign over your life for purchasing Leica gear but you really get what you pay for. If you are a person who appreciates the finer details of life and the minuscule details and the thought put into industrial designs then Leica will truly appreciate. 

Opening a Leica feels like Christmas as a 5 year old

Organic Social Media Growth

In today's world social media is such a huge tool in everything you do as a person, business or entity. It's unavoidable and a really good community to get your digital self marketed. As a photographer, sharing your experiences or some of your day to day work builds a brand and following that leads to other opportunities. Along with all the benefits of starting and growing your social network presence come along the challenges and the pitfalls.

Organic Social Media Growth

Finding inspiration to go out and shoot

You have been there, you hit those lulls and lazy days where you just think to yourself, nah I don't need that camera sitting there. It could be a normal day, getting to errands, out for a jog, or just the normal day to the office. Seeing the same thing you see and walk by everyday. We all get in this cycle of repetitiveness that it happens, we get uninspired and the camera just sits there. Sometimes its tough to get those creative juices going again, you just think to yourself why bother. I am not going to see anything of interest today, its just another run to the coffee shop. So, how do I get out of this rut or prevent it?

Finding inspiration to go out and shoot

The Great Ones don't need Filters or Post

As we ride the social photography boom of today with smartphones, social networks and mobile apps, there is a growing dependence on filters and post processing applications to give your photographs that extra oomph. It's a question I always get when posting photos on socials media, "What filter did you use?". Answer is, when the shot is a great shot, "None" and even minimal post processing. 

The Great Ones don't need Filters or Post

The Unexpected Moment

As I look at my favorite photos in my collection of photographs, I start to notice a pattern of how these photos came about. As all photographers or anyone travelling do, we all plan, map and scope out the itinerary of where we are going and what we expect to see. Deciding on the best time of day to visit a location and to try and capture that special moment. But even with the best of plans, we can never foresee circumstances of each and every day and what nature will provide to us.

The Unexpected Moment