Archive for June 9th, 2009
Micro Four Thirds
NOTE: Update 1 here. Update 2 here. Update 3 here. Update 4 here. Product announcement here.
As soon as I started using my first DSLR (Nikon D80) I’ve wanted a compact camera with interchangeable lenses and full exposure control as an alternative. There are just some situations in which a huge, intimidating camera (especially my D300 with battery grip) just isn’t desirable. I’ve been questioned at sporting events, art shows, and even the mall because big fancy camera = commercial photographer to most people. It’s always, “Pal, you need to register with the press/security/whatever desk.” I’d like to tell them to fuck off but that would just get me kicked out. Some photographers will only go out with a shirt that reads, “Photography is Not a Crime.”
Can you believe I was even stopped by a homeless guy the other day who said I could take his picture for $2? Instead of telling him I can take a picture of him for free any god damn time I please, I simply told him I wasn’t carrying cash and that frankly I’d rather shoot him when he gets back on his feet anyway. (Hey, we are all feeling a little hopeful right now, right?) If I only had something more inconspicuous…
I am totally stoked about this.
Every photographer appreciates the quality, options, and total control that a Digital SLR camera offers. What they don’t always appreciate is the weight, bulk and complexity of these larger systems. The Micro Four Thirds standard addresses these concerns. The model that is currently under development will fully comply with this exciting new standard.
According the the Olympus site cameras should start arriving in Summer 2009. Isn’t that now?
A Birthday Party
Below are my favorites from O’s birthday party. If you are interested, the rest can be found over at thelucaslife.com. I had fun shooting. Editing took quite a while though. Usually I come back with over a hundred images and end up with no more than ten that I like. With family stuff I come back with over a hundred images and end up with over a hundred images. Normally I’m not trying to tell a chronological story but with family events it is unavoidable. The ones below are not, however, and can be enjoyed individually. ; )
Fast 50 at f/2.8 most of the time with a hot shoed SB-600. The advice from Bert Stephani that I posted recently was very useful. In my case, I had the flash head tilted up slightly to avoid shadows and to get bounce flash from the ceiling. Because of this I dialed back a couple stops when taking the ambient light reference image.
