Spring Light

Even though the weather gurus are predicting another winter storm this week, I can’t help but feel that spring is not so far away as it was. In his article entitled “The Season of Light”, Mike Johnston reminded me that photography is not just about the latest gear or software or the subject matter. Mainly, it’s about light and how it shapes the subject matter. At their essence the images that I like the best are about light. And, for my money, the best light is in the spring and in the fall. Winter light, which we will soon say goodbye to, is flat and grey when it exists at all. Summer light is either too harsh or too hazy. On the other hand, the weather in the spring is conducive to some really great photography. The air is still cold enough to be clear and spring storms can create some wonderful light, both coming and going. A bonus is the lack of certain insect pests who won’t arrive until late June. Spring is the season of rebirth and resurrection. So stop your moping and get out there and shoot some pictures.

As an aside, I ordered the Katz Eye™ focusing screen for the Nikon D700 (see below). I’ll have a full report once I get a chance to use it.

Desperate Days

April may be the cruelest month, but March isn’t far behind. With PMA now just an un-fond memory, I am having a hard time finding anything valuable to write about. With the exception one day, the weather here has been miserable. Not conducive to venturing out with the camera (weather-proof or otherwise). In the meantime, the media drones on about the econo-meltdown and the newest generation of robber barons. Between the weather and the economy no wonder they call it a depression.

I was planning to use these dark days to write some lens reviews. I’ve scrapped that plan now because I don’t feel that I have the expertise to bring anything new to the table. Besides that, I support this journal on a shoestring and that shoestring got a lot shorter. It would be unfair to review equipment unless I had it for a sufficient time. If you care, my current equipment is listed to the right and I like it all just fine. Much better than I deserve.

Insofar as equipment news is concerned, I assume that if you read this you also read DP Review. There have been a few tidbits, but nothing worth regurgitating here. Everything appears to be on hold until the early summer or can’t be discussed.

I’ve noticed that the editors of some other electronic photo journals must be feeling the same way. I sense a lot of obsession about a revenue stream or the lack thereof. I’m still searching for something myself.

On that note, I have been trying to assemble a portfolio so that I can do some serious printing. That chore has required me to revisit thousands of images and is taking up some of my time. In addition, I have been working on some portraits of the goldfinches, pine siskins and hoary redpolls that have been flocking to my backyard feeders. As soon as the weather got consistently above freezing the robins and red-winged blackbirds returned from down south. As a result, the mornings have been a lot more melodic.

Frankly, I am not that terribly interested in a lot of what passes for photography these days. Maybe it’s just that the subject matter is just not my cup of tea. A lot of it is just as miserable as the weather and the news.

Given my current sate of mind, if you are interested in submitting something to me for publication, please drop me an email.

Davidson and Dylan

Most people who know me know that I am a big Bob Dylan fan. I own nearly every official album he has released as well as quite a few “unofficial” works. I first saw him live in 1978, when he finally resumed performing and I have seen him many, many times since. These days I try to catch him every other time he comes to town.

Unlike Bob Dylan, up until yesterday, I had never heard of photographer Bruce Davidson. A photo-documentarian, Bruce has authored several well known photo books including East 100th Street (a Harlem neighborhood) and Circus (three traveling circuses). Unfortunately, most of his work is now out-of-print. One that isn’t is England/Scotland 1960. It is recommended by Mike Johnston, which is pretty high praise. Although his work is not my style, you may wish to acquire a copy.

Bruce Davidson’s cover photograph for the new Dylan album comes from Brooklyn Gang produced in the early 1960’s.

And The Answer Is ...

A is the Zeiss and B is the Nikon. Both lenses seem very sharp to me.

We Want "Looking At Photographs"

According to The Online Photographer, the Museum of Modern Art has scrapped plans to reprint one of the best books about photography, Looking At Photographs, by John Szarkowski. I know that money is tight, but this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a classic. Used paperback copies go for $60 and up.

I humbly suggest that if you want to own a copy of Looking At Photographs, please call MOMA at (212) 708-9400 or e-mail them at info@moma.org. If we can show them there is a market for Looking At Photographs, despite the recession, it might just change their minds. Remember, institutions like MOMA are being especially hit hard. Show them we mean cold, hard cash and it might make quite an impression.

Thanks for reading.

Some Good News

I just got an e-mail informing me that the Katz Eye™ focusing screen with a split prism circle is now available for the Nikon D700. It’s a laser matte direct replacement for the original focusing screen, with no modifications required to the camera. The split prism allows for precision manual focusing and will have no effect on the auto-focus system of the camera and on-demand grid lines will continue to function normally. The screen sells for $105 and if you do a lot of manual focusing, it’s well worth the price.

Digital Photography Is So Easy Anyone Can Do It

Shooters, David C. Schultz www.westlightimages.com, © 2009 David C. Schultz

I couldn't help myself. This comes from Really Right Stuff's e-newsletter. I use their stuff and I highly recommend it.

End Of The Rs

This week marked the demise of two venerable camera lines, both beginning with the letter “R”. First, Franke & Heidecke GmbH, Feinmechanik & Optik, filed for bankruptcy. Franke & Heidecke was also known as Rollei at various times throughout its history.
Although the RolleiFlex twin lens reflex was the company’s flagship product, my father loved his Rollei 35 shown above.

As if that weren’t enough for one week, the L-Camera Forum and Newsletter says that Leica will be discontinuing the Leica R9 cameras and R Lenses. The R9 is Leica’s 35mm SLR system and never caught on like the M series. I owned one in the early eighties and Rs always seemed dated, even when fresh out of the box. At this point it is unknown what, if anything, will replace the R. Given its size and financial wherewithal, this is probably a good move on Leica’s part. The R system was never that popular and this change will allow the company to focus on the upcoming digital S system or something else more profitable. Nevertheless, it is sad to see another victim of the global econo-meltdown.

Another Vapor-cam

Just prior to the most depressing PMA ever, Samsung announced the NX. Note that the NX is not even a camera and the best that Samsung could muster was a few images of a mock-up of what the camera could look like. Normally, I don’t even mention things like this, however, the NX has as much, if not more, potential than Micro Four Thirds in that it features an APS-C sensor. This is the sensor found in most DSLRs and the NX could be a game changer if Samsung/Pentax don’t fumble the ball. Like MFT, the NX has no mirror box and can take interchangeable lenses. No mount was announced, but Mike Johnston makes a good argument that it won’t be K mount. Samsung says that an actual NX might be available in second half 2009. I’ll be watching.

In other PMA news, Panasonic announced an HD video version of the G1 MFT and several new lenses. Wake me when its over. Yawn.

Nikon Vs. Zeiss

A

BOne of the photographs above was taken with the Zeiss 35mm f/2. The other was taken with Nikon’s new 50mm f/1.4. Both were taken with a Nikon D700. Can you tell which is which?