In the woods
A walk in the winter woods, solitude, silence, peace
The Lost Coast - The Story Soon
Traveling the lost coast was like a trip back in time, rugged, remote, beautiful
Images and a few simple words -- coming soon....
An ode to TMAX
It was my favorite film to shoot during 'those' days. I don't know why, maybe the grain structure or the big dark contrast, or the way the blacks could really block up on you adding to that intense contrast .... I may actually never know, but in any event the TMAX look very much influenced the way I see B&W.
With B&W I can focus on blacks and whites and shades of gray, structure, form, shapes and subtleties. It becomes easier for me to tell the view exactly what it was that I saw and therefore, hopefully, easier for them to see what I saw. These 4 images from yesterday, developed in SEP using the TMAX filter and some of my own adjustments, were captured during my winter ride.
I brought the trusty Trangia with just enough denatured alcohol to warm up my Snow Peak TI pots and make a lovely cup of tea. It wasn't cold, but instead raw from the moisture in the air. Having a cup of tea as I sat overlooking the water was a fitting way to end the day.
Warmth in the cold Winter
A rare break from the Cold winter allowed us to get out on the beach for a ride in our late fall clothes. Warm air was a cruel reminder that we still have 2-3 months left of old man winter.
I purposefully shot directly into the sun using a 6 stop ND filter to give me the silhouetted images that added some impact to the lovely, but relatively flat light. The first shot shows how things looked with the sun coming over my shoulder. Nice, but not quite as dramatic as I was going for as can be seen in the last two silhouettes.
Monochrome Detail
There is a lot of chatter about how the Leica Monochrome files come out of the camera 'Flat'. I would tend to agree that the DNG default curve applied to these files is definitely of a linear nature. However, I have found two things while working with these files for the past month. First, they are very, very workable, either in LR alone or a combination of LR and Silver Effex Pro. Second, the amount of detail in these files, especially in the shadow areas is nothing short of amazing.
Here is a before and after image with the before file representing my standard MM Lightroom Import settings. A small amount of contrast, a slight curve, clarity and sharpening are all applied on import. From there I do my basic adjustments in the LR development module and then import the files into SEP where I have tremendous control over the entire B&W file.
File as imported into Lightroom w/base adjustments applied
Processed in Lightroom and Silver Effex Pro
Two Fat Bikes, some snow, a good woman, and some Irish Whiskey
Oh, yea, don't forget the Leica Monochrome...
Day One
2014 began with our 3rd annual Polar Plunge. Air temps were 9F with the water sitting at 39F. Thousands of dollars were raised for those that cant afford heating fuel.
2014 arrives and I am stoked to continue this wonderful, crazy, sometimes psychotic thing called life. While this year I made a resolution to not make resolutions, there are still areas of introspection that I hope to expound on as time goes by. One thing that I will talk about right now is my journey with the Leica Monochrome.
The end of 2013 saw me sell off all of my Nikon and Zeiss gear to purchase a Leica Monochrome Rangefinder. A camera with a lousy display, somewhat neurotic electronics, slow write speeds, no auto focus, only center weighted metering, and a host of other 'Non 2014' camera features that would make one question why any sane person would make this choice. As part of this journey, and perhaps as a way of answering this 'why' question, I hope to post a single picture, each day, that represents my life with the Monochrome.
Along with these images I will throw in my thoughts about the camera, the lenses, photography in general, and life in the simplistic lane. Yep, I guess that gives you insight into the biggest reason for this decision, Simplicity. You see, with the Monochrome, you are on a singular mission. It is not the camera making decisions for you, it is you making decisions for the camera. What is the light like; what is the subject; how do I want to render this image that my eye sees;....
The list goes on and on. It is a thinking persons camera, a very methodical image making tool. It is not a point and shoot camera with a gazillion menu options that allow some SW engineer to define how your image is going to look. You are not going to get more than 2 frames per second, maybe 3, but that is only for the first several shots before the buffer gets completely backed up and the camera stops working. Nope, it is definitely not going to be any good for the run and gun lets capture 1000 images in a day photographer. If you don't understand light, and luminance, and if you can't 'see' what is going on around you then you will be completely frustrated by this little guy.
The battery is just ok. I have been able to work for days on end without any issue because I don't 'Chimp' anymore, other than some random peaks at the histogram. It is winter right now, and without a doubt, shooting in bright snow conditions with a camera that absolutely cannot deal with blown out highlights, requires your utmost attention to detail. I know, I know, old school chrome shooters did not have a histogram and managed to do ok. Yep, I cut my teeth shooting thousands of rolls of Kodachrome 64 so I get it. However, it is 2014, and therefore if I do have the use of a histogram, I will use it.
What I won't do is spend all of my time staring at the monitor on the back of my camera, zooming and panning to see if I got things in focus. I either did or I didn't and since I am not on some huge photo shoot where it needs to be right, I am content to simply do my best, and capture what I can. If I got it, I got it, and if I didn't then I didn't.
Now, this simplicity will either excite you or you will hate it. I am not here to argue the merits of either way. What I am here to say, is that after one month with this thing, I am in love with my photography again. Yes, in love AGAIN. By that I mean that I want to take pictures all the time, every day, every moment. The kit is small and lite and unobtrusive. I carry it with me everywhere in a simple non-descriptive Mountainsmith sling bag. It is not a camera bag, but with a little insert to give the body and lens some bump protection, it works perfectly.
I carry the bag and camera when I go out to the post office or out for drinks or out for dinner, or wherever I go. I want it with me all the time and I love that with this camera, I am capable of producing images that are of a quality that is meaningful to me. This is where the Nikon kit let me down. It wasn't that I could not produce outstanding images with the D800E and the Zeiss lenses, because I could. Hands down one of the nicest combinations of photographic kit I had ever owned. However, what was lacking is that more than not, I did not have the camera with me. I did not carry it everywhere. Nope, I know, it really was not that much heavier, but I guess the MM just hits the sweet spot for bulk and weight.
It is hefty enough to feel outstanding in your hands, but small enough and light enough that swinging a bag over your shoulder is nice. Heck, I think the bag, with some miscellaneous stuff in it, the camera/lens and whatever else I happen to be carrying is actually lighter than my GF's purse/satchel/bag... Ok, sorry, I digress. You get it, the kit is light enough to have with you all the time and that is what matters.
If you don't have the camera with you, then you cant capture that decisive moment. While I love taking the occasional snap with my 41 megapixel Nokia Lumia camera phone, that just does not cut it for me. It is not what I want for my moment to moment image making tool.
2014 is here, and I intend to continue following my passions to the fullest. I have always felt the most happy when I had a camera in hand. Making images is my life blood. I suck at the written word, but will strive to get better on that front.
Images, they are my stories, a window into my world, how I see, feel, think and love. Follow along and enjoy the journey.
Peace & Love
G-
Happy New Years
A safe and happy New Years Celebration to All
Follow Your Dreams -- Live Your Passion
Two months touring Alaska in mid winter on a Salsa Mukluk. I climbed this pass in hopes of finding a shortcut, only to realize that I was stuck. Just get out and do it because there are no guarantees.
May each and every one of you find the inner strength needed to follow your dreams and live your passions -- for it is only then that we are free and truly LIVING our lives.
Happy New Year
Self portrait, Denali National Park
Riding the coast
Leica Monochrome, 35/1.4 @ 4.8
Normally not a very ride-able stretch of trail, but with the recent snow and general lousy weather, I was able to get out and explore. The winds were really kicking up the seas making for a dramatic ride. This was the third day in a row that I have taken out the Lowepro 10L flip backpack and it is really perfect for a light camera load.
Money on the table
Last One Standing
An evening walk and I am presented with a beautiful sunset highlighting Campobello Island and one of the old smoke house factories that refuses to go down. One morning we will come out and it will have floated away with one of the 20' tides.
Fresh Snow, Ice, & Sand
Finally, a chance to get out, clear my head, and do some riding. I love how the snow reaches down to the ocean, wiped away a bit more each day with the ebb and flow of the tide. A great place to ride you can easily dance between the snow and the sand, pick your poison, enjoy what you want.
The 35 Lux arrived yesterday and I can already see why this is the most popular FOV on a rangefinder. It just fits!, really very nice. The sun was out, and trying to shoot wide open required the new B&W ND filters. A 3 stop was not enough so I resorted to the 6 stop. It is nice that you can stack them if needed.
This was really the first chance at getting out and riding with the Monochrome. I think the weight & bulk is perfect for the bike. These are just quick snaps, nothing special, but boy, I do love this setup! Carried the gear today in the Lowepro 10L bag. Overkill, but very nice with how it swings around your body and creates a bit of working space for switching lenses, installing filters, or cleaning gear. I took one small spill and the pack protected everything just fine.
Beast of the Night
Christmas day, enjoying small town friends
Never before have I had a camera that screamed, that demanded, that absolutely had to be shot when the lights start going down. The Monochrome is simply a beast of the night. It is not just how it deals with high ISO images, but the way the sensor reacts to the strong contrast that is night time. The images, with virtually no adjustments at all, just seem to pop off the page. I can't wait to get some prints done as I believe they are simply going to blow me away.
Lit by the light of the fire and two small spots
Adventure by Bike - 2014 Catalog
Salsa Cycles 2014 Catalog - Cover Image from my Alaska Expedition
This came in the mail the other day. Not only a fantastic catalog, but also some really tremendous photography. Very proud to have some of my images in the 2014 Salsa Cycles catalog, including that awesome cover shot from this past winter in Alaska . To all all those who work tirelessly for Adventure by Bike, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Salsa Cycles 2014 Catalog - Images from my AK, Morocco, and Gaspe' trips