Monthly Archives: October 2011

Nikon never slows down and they recently released a new camera that is pretty cool!  i just got my hands on one and will give it a real report later but wanted to introduce it to you guys ahead of a full report.  The new Nikon 1 is a mirror-less 10.1 megapixel compact that takes interchangeable lenses.  The camera feels very solid in your hands and the lenses are tack sharp.  The built in VR (Vibration Reduction) makes it a great street camera or travel camera.  The package I tried was the body with the small 10mm f 2.8 (equivilant to a 27mm lens) great for walk around.

 

The build quality is impressive and focusing, and imaging is fast and solid.  Images seem to exhibit less noise than from similar cameras I’ve shot.   The LCD monitor a 460K-dot unit is bright and anti reflective coated. The camera is available in Black, Silver, Red, White, and Pink.  The lenses are also colored to match the body, pretty stylish!

 

The camera is loaded with features including 10 fps shooting rate, 1080P Hi Definition Video, with the capability to shoot full res images during video capture, slow motion video, very fast auto focus and very fast shutter response.  Many DSLR features abound like, Scene Recognition, Active D-Lighting, full Picture Control settings, and lots of Scene Modes.  For those that simply must have a viewfinder the V1 is coming very soon!

 

The camera was introduced with several lenses; a 10mm pancake type lens (Equivalent 27mm) f 2.8   A 10-30 f 3.5-5.6 zoom (Equivalent to 27mm-81mm),   A 10mm-100m f 4.5 – 5.6  (Equivalent to  27mm-270mm) and a 30mm to 110mm f 3.8-5.6 (Equivalent to 81mm-297).

 

 

None of this means a thing if the camera can’t shoot great images.  Below is a hand held shot of a D7000 on our display table at the Mountain People’s Workshop, shot at IS) 360, its crisp and has no noise.  More tests to come, but my first impression is;  Cool!

 

And now the best news of all!  Look below at 3,200 ISO!!

Low noise??  You bet!

 

 

Just like they write the script, perfect ending….  The remaining students went out for sunrise on Otter Point beach this morning and the sun co-operated, as it has all week.  Perfect warm light flooded the incoming tide and spectacular rocks along the shore.  When we got down to the beach there were about another 20 people all lined up for the sunrise so we took up position along the semi circle facing the far cliffs and the warm sky out to sea. About ten minutes before the sunrise a photographer walked out on the rocks, right in front of all 30 some odd shooters, right in our frame.  Most everyone waited to see if he came over to join us, but instead he kneeled down right in front.   Everyone was scratching their heads when the sun started to rise.  Now he gets up and walks back in front of everyone’s camera trying to find just the spot he wanted while blocking all of ours!!!!  Someone yelled out, “Hey can you move out of the way?”   He turned back to the assembled crowd and angrily said, “Where do you want me to go??!!”  I said, just come over and join us!  I wanted to say, “how about a mile out to sea…….”  It never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate some people are of other photographers.  On more than one occasion when my group has been the first to  arrive at a great location to secure the best spots, when others have come to late, I will help them interweave with my group so they don’t miss the shot!!  How anyone could step in front of other shooters and not seem to care is beyond me.

 

Being a photographer is often about setting up in the perfect spot, but I don’t  think it should ever be about ruining someone else’s shot just to get it yourself.  I was able to content aware him out of the frame, I just feel sorry for folks that go through life blindly unaware of others.  The real joy of this trip has been the fellowship, the laughter, the great times enjoying the craft together.  Anyone who misses that has missed it all!

 

 

The next time you go out to shoot, take a deep breath and enjoy, just being there, God has blessed us with an incredibly beautiful world, share it and enjoy it.

 

God Bless,

 

the pilgrim

 

Photo Note:   D7000, 24-120 AF-S VR lens.  First shot Nik Color Efex Pro 4.0  Sunrise/Sunset recipe,  second same software dark top and dark bottom of a 3 shot HDR image.

This evening our group went out for the last shoot with everyone in attendance, several then headed for the airport and home after a great week of learning and shooting together.  Tomorrow the remaining members of the group will shoot one last sunrise and then everyone heads for home.  This has been a great week in so many ways, the conditions have given us many opportunities to shoot great images, the teaching was first rate, especially from Matt Kloskowski, Jim Begley, Snake Barrett and Chuck Barnes.  The field work has been first rate.

 

As is always the case at His Light Workshops, the fellowship was wonderful!  Lots of great old friends enjoyed reunions and we welcomed in some bright new faces to the family.  This truly is a family of people that love photography, learning, and thank God for the opportunity to worship Him in such incredible settings.  I count it a pleasure to work with such a great team of leaders and work hard for our fantastic friends!  I thank my Heavenly Father the most for allowing me to enjoy such a great experience, this one is almost over, and I’m already  dreaming of the next one……..

 

 

Blessings,

the pilgrim

 

Photo Notes:  Top image of Rain and Craig at sunset, second image of some of our group on the rocks at our Lighthouse shoot this evening, and last ropes as art on a dock at Bernard Harbor, Maine.  Nikon D7000 and 24-120 AF-S VR lens.

Today we dealt with serious rain, but did get out for a few hours this morning in a heavy mist.  Cadillac Mountain was fogged in which is just what we wanted and the shots were terrific.  I spent most of my time teaching how to do close-ups and was amazed, as always with the glorious creation.    I hope you enjoy God’s handiwork!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim