Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 8:44PM Yesterday central Illinois awoke to a bitter and marvelous frost. After I dropped the kids off at school, I made a few pictures with the Olympus PEN E-P3 and the 20mm and 45mm lenses.
The closest Ethiopia will ever get to seeing a frost like this.
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:45AM Australian wedding pro Marcus Bell shares his thoughts on choosing a wedding photographer in the Sunshine Coast Brides online magazine. Since hiring a photographer is a new experience for most brides, the article dispels some common myths: wedding photography is overpriced, it's important to own the copyright to the images, and whether you'd need an album.
I've shared similar thoughts in a series of articles posted here on the site, The Bride's Guide to Great Wedding Photography. If you or a friend will be getting married soon, take some time to learn how you can find the right photographer for your once-in-a-lifetime day.
Monday, January 9, 2012 at 8:40PM Wes and Sarah, who had a spectacular engagement session this fall, were married in the small Illinois town of Moweaqua this past Saturday. They planned a January wedding becuase they thought it would be fun to hvae a wedding in the snow. Instead, we witnessed a mild, snowless winter day. No worries: friends and family were still on hand to celebrate Wes and Sarah and had a terrific time.
My friend Ann Klose helped document the day with me as did my son Liam--his first wedding. Here are a few preview images from their special day. Congratulations, Wes and Sarah, and thanks so much for choosing me to photograph your wedding and engagement.
Here's one last image that Ann took of me and Liam before we left for the day:
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 4:29PM
Meghan is a dynamic young woman with a beautiful smile. A three-sport athlete and a fan of St. Louis pro sports, she's also great in front of the camera. We had a terrific time making her senior pictures a short while back. Thanks, Meghan, for letting me make your photographs.
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 10:38PM
Baby Trap
Olympus E-P3, 14mm f/2.5, 1/60 @ ISO 1000
Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong famously titled his autobiography, It's Not About the Bike. And it's true: you can buy the same bike Lance Armstrong rides but you can't ride like Lance Armstrong.
The same can be said about photographers and camera gear: you can buy the same camera/lens/lights that Famous Photo Guy uses but all that stuff won't help you make photographs that look like his. It's the mind behind the camera that visualizes the image and then, with the alchemy of craft, technique, and equipment, the photographer creates the photograph. It's not about the camera.
Usually.
Sometimes the right tool can help you create in new ways. The problem with this is that it can send a guy (or gal) on a never-ending quest for The Right Camera. Which doesn't exist. And this is a very expensive and time-consuming quest.
That said, I've recently acquired a little tool that is quickly becoming my favorite "carry around" camera. I use a Nikon D700, several lenses, and a few lights for most of my image-making. The D700 is a terrific tool but it's kind of a pain to drag around all the time: it's too big and bulky. More often than not, it gets left home when I'm with the family or out and about. I use my iPhone sometimes and I have a Canon S95 "point and shoot" but I rarely use it. The S95 will fit in a pocket and is good for snapshots but not "serious photographs."
Enter the Olympus PEN E-P3.
I recently acquired an Olympus E-P3 and three fast prime lenses (Panasonic 14mm f/2.5, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, and Olympus mZuiko 45mm f/1.8). The E-P3 is a Micro Four Thirds camera body: it has a sensor that's half the size of a 35mm frame (as found in the Nikon D700) and no mirror. The bodies and lenses are significantly smaller than comparable 35mm "full frame" equipment but are still capable of producing very nice images. The autofocus on the E-P3 is snappy (much better than that of the Panasonic GF1, another Micro Four Thirds body that I owned for a time then sold) and the handling is adequate.
Besides any of the technical details, what I like best about this camera is that I like to use it. It's enjoyable to make pictures with the E-P3, and any tool that brings enjoyment is more likely to be used than one that doesn't. For me, the tradeoffs in image quality, size, and handling all come together well in the E-P3. I'm making a habit of carrying the E-P3 and at least one lens with me nearly every time I go out the door. And I'm making more pictures at home--and that's a good. The cobbler's kids need shoes and the photographer's kids need pictures.
Untitled
Olympus E-P3, 20mm f/2.2, 1/640 @ ISO 200
Liam vs. Zombies
Olympus E-P3, 45mm f/1.8, 1/100 @ ISO 1600
Line 'Em Up
Olympus E-P3, 45mm f/2.8, 1/1250 @ ISO 200
Baby Trap
Olympus E-P3, 20mm f/1.7, 1/80 @ ISO 640
Buick
Olympus E-P3, 45mm f/4.0, 1/400 @ ISO 200
Master
Olympus E-P3, 20mm f/2.5, 1/400 @ ISO 200
Eva's Bike
Olympus E-P3, 20mm f/2.5, 1/1250 @ ISO 200
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 7:26PM
Kyle and Sarah have been sweethearts for a long time--they've attended the same church and schools for years and will soon make their promise to spend the rest of their lives together. We recently spent some time in Lincoln at the studio, a nearby park, and downtown to make their engagement pictures. Thank you, Kyle and Sarah, for letting me make your photographs; I'm looking forward to your wedding as well.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 2:59PM
On certain occasions, everything just seems to work perfectly in spite of planning. For Kelsey's senior pictures, we had an amazing sky out at Kickapoo Park here in Lincoln and her clothing choices (and guitar) matched the evening--who would have guessed? Kelsey is a beautiful young lady, sharp, hard-working. She'll do well in life.
Thanks, Kelsey, for letting me make your photographs. You look great!
