Tag: postaday

I Love…

As a consequence of my continuing spiritual journey, I feel compelled to question my love for things. Hopefully, this series will unearth some of the mysteries of my love affairs with a few simple questions. 

Part Two: Photography

Why do you Love Photography? 

For over 20 years, I’ve been deeply infatuated with the art of visual storytelling. The creating of images that tells a story along with being appealing and interesting. Since I started this love affair, I’ve been trying to capture such a set of images. A unique portfolio that would be ridiculously hard, extremely expensive, or impossible to duplicate. As pretentious as that sounds, it’s something that I feel compelled to work towards. But unfortunately, I can not say all of my images fall into that precise definition. I have come to accept it’s about enjoying the photographic journey and not its destination

When and why did it start? 

It started back in the mid nineties after seeing a striking sunset image that my sister took. I remember the vibrant colors contrasted by the dark silhouettes of trees drawing my eye deeper and deeper into the image. This not only sparked my curiosity but also inspired me to pursue my own photographic passion. But it wasn’t until years later when I was somewhat financially stable before I started my love affair with photography. It was 2004 when I got my first DSLR and was so enthusiastic, taking pictures of anything and everything. I remember being so eager to learn as much as I could. I would hang out in the photography section of bookstores, being a sponge soaking up as much information as I could. Along with spending countless hours online browsing various photography websites and forums. Searching through pages and posts for any knowledge I thought was relevant and helpful to my development as a photographer.

How does it make you feel? 

Like with anything that I love, photography brings me an abundance of joy and adds a considerable amount of meaning to my life. It hits differently than my love of aviation but it’s in the same emotional space. There’s a childish level of excitement I get every time I peek through my viewfinder. I’ve never had a bad experience behind my camera. That’s not to say I don’t bitch up shots. (Which I still do 🙂). But there’s a powerful attraction to photography that pulls me in. There have been many times, out of nowhere that I’ve felt the urge to do some photography. And without hesitation, I’ll get my gear and head out. I’ve come to realize that capturing photos is just a part of who I am.

What do you do to maintain and nurture your love for Photography?

After 20 years, I’m still willing and open to learning something new about my passion. If it is new processing software, shooting techniques or even a new camera system, the drive is still there. Along with my daily routine of scrolling through Flickr to see what other photographers are shooting. Doing so keeps my creative vision fresh and flexible to help me envision new images. Moreover, I’ve developed a shooting routine that keeps me disciplined and focused so I can “Shoot with intent” and not just aimlessly wonder around and take pictures. Nurturing and growing my passion for photography is a lifelong journey.

What do you love about photography most? And why

I love the rhythm of envisioning an idea for a photo, chasing after it for days and some cases years, then actually capturing it and then sharing it with others. Some ideas are crystal clear, where I know exactly what the final image will look like. Others are more abstract, and the outcomes are unknown until the moment I press the shutter. Its creating images (for my blog, posting on social media, or photos of my models) that deeply resonate with people that makes the challenge worth it.

To see my growing collection of photos, follow the link below

My Photography

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven

A Canon EOS digital camera mounted on a tripod, featuring a zoom lens, set against a white background.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PART ONE

I Love Aviation

A scenic image capturing the essence of photography, featuring a beautiful landscape or striking composition that showcases the art of visual storytelling.

“It’s Not About the Gear… Until It Is”

Canon or Nikon? DSLR or mirrorless? Full frame or cropped sensor? Prime or Zoom? New or used? How about if you are trying to capture a full-frame, tack-sharp photo of the Moon with your cellphone camera? Or walking around a major city doing street photography with a 600mm prime! How much and when does “Gear” really matter? Along with are you using your gear within its limits? I know having the latest and greatest gear does very, very little when it comes to taking better photos. Then there’s the aspect of using one’s gear the wrong way.  I can think of only two scenarios in which gear matters. The first is when one has substandard or inadequate gear that inhibits their ability to capture an image that they envision. And the other is there is something about your gear that you dislike so much, it discourages you from using it.

Gear doesn’t matter but the wrong gear does because it hampers your abilities. It would be like having Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton drive a Tesla Model S Plaid at the Grand Prix of Monaco. Yeah, it’s a fast car but it is not the proper car for a Formula One race. And the same goes for you and your photography. Having the wrong or inadequate equipment can be very detrimental to your growth as a photographer. If as a photographer who has an understanding of not only exposure and light but a working knowledge of the elements of the arts, and if you are using gear that is preventing you from reaching your creative potential then it is bad for you and your ability to create images. It could be gear that doesn’t allow you to change lenses, or manipulate various settings, or you do have enough focal length.

Back in 2004, I was shooting aviation events with my Digital Rebel. And was using a function that still is necessary for aviation photography today (if you’re a Canon shooter) is AI Servo. This auto-focus mode is for tracking fast-moving subjects. When you half depress the shutter button, with your AF point on a moving subject, the camera will continue to keep the subject in focus. The only downside is that on the Digital Rebel, you could only access AI Servos in Sport mode which prevents you from selecting your aperture and shutter speed as well as locking the ISO at 400. Back then 400 was super noisy due to the tiny 6.3-megapixel sensor. But it wasn’t an issue when I was shooting jets because the camera maintained a fast enough shutter speed to capture them. But my love was for WWII warbirds, which requires control of the shutter to prevent freezing the props and get what is known as prop blur. Because of this lack of control, which was hindering my ability to photograph what I love, I chose to upgrade to the Canon 20D which allowed me to select AI Servos in any mode without locking the ISO.

Gear that you’re so dissatisfied with it, that you no longer want to use it matters as well. It should be noted that a lack of understanding of how to use your gear properly and misusing it does not count here. It would be similar to a painter who dislikes a certain brand of paint or a sketch artist who doesn’t like a type of marker or pencil. When it comes to your gear, it could be a lens that just doesn’t perform well, a tripod that can’t support your setup or you just hate the way your camera body feels in your hands. As a photographer, your tools are your gear. And being hampered by one’s tools can destroy one’s confidence along with enthusiasm to continue to capture images. There has to be a good level of comfort along with enjoyment with your gear that keeps you excited about photography.

Years ago, I purchased both the Canon 100-400mm zoom (the push-pull mark 1) and the 400mm F/5.6 prime. Both were L series lenses that “promise of professional quality in image reproduction performance, operability and reliability.” I intended to use the prime as my main lens and the versatility of the zoom as my secondary. But the images from the 100-400 were constantly soft. And when the images were in focus, the clarity was nowhere near the 400mm prime which was always tack sharp. I used it at multiple airshows but was never able to get results that I was happy with. Because of its soft focusing and how inconsistent it was, I didn’t want to shoot with it. I was so disappointed with the fact that it was supposed to be of professional performance. In the end, I lost all enthusiasm for that lens, and I eventually sold it.

The art form of photography is not about the gear but rather the images that we create and share. The camera, lenses, light meters, and tripods… are all just tools that allow you to capture photos. And about 98% of the time, it doesn’t matter. I’m willing to bet that a large portion of your audience doesn’t care about what gear you use. But if your gear is harming your growth, by either obstructing your development and abilities or is causing you to lose enthusiasm and confidence in your ability to create images, that’s when gear matters.

How do you feel about gear? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven

Gear Used:

iPhone 6

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT

Philosophy about Photography Part Eight: “The Art of Spotting: Techniques to Improve Your Aviation Photography”

I Love…

As a consequence of my continuing spiritual journey, I feel compelled to question the things I love. Hopefully, this series will unearth some of the mysteries of my love affairs with a few simple questions. 

Part One: Aviation

Why Do You Love Aviation?

The saying “You can’t explain what’ love is. But you feel it clearly, completely and deeply when you are”, best describes my feelings for aviation. I maintain a child-like enthusiasm and passionate desire for all things aviation-related. It is one of a few things that fulfill me intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and lovingly. Asking me to give up Aviation would be no different than asking me to cut off an appendage. Aviation is a part of who I am and my love for it has never wavered. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love it. And am always delighted by new aspects of aviation that I have never experienced. Such as my current infatuation with seaplanes and helicopters. 

When and why did it start? 

My first memory of my love for aviation started when I was very young, I was maybe 6 or 7. My dad was in the Navy, and we were stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico. One day, my dad took me to an area where he works and there was a room that the ceiling was covered with model airplanes. Which was something I’d never seen before, but I remember being absolutely fascinated by all the different types and wanted to know each of their names. It was about that time I also noticed that our house was parallel to the flight path to the air base. There were no ships based in Roosevelt Roads but when a aircraft carrier was in the area, its air wing would visit the base. It was the coolest place to grow up, seeing Tomcats, Intruders, A-7s, and S-3s enter the pattern, break information, and then drop gear on the downwind leg. It is the cause of me being easily distracted by flying airplanes. I remember it came to a point where could tell what type of plane it was just by its sound. After 3 or 4 years, we moved to the Tidewater area of Virginia. And being in the vicinity of numerous airbases, there was no shortage of military aircraft flying overhead for me to identify. 

How does aviation make you feel? 

Aviation has always been a constant source of wonder and thrill in my life, and it has never once let me down. The passion I felt when I first fell in love with aviation is still just as vigorous today, filling me with the same level of uninhibited joy and excitement. Over the years, my connection to various aspects of aviation has deepened, evoking a variety of emotions depending on the context. For instance, vintage warbirds often stir up a sense of nostalgia, of a time when these iconic aircraft were built and flown by hand and not by a computer. Helicopters, on the other hand, ignite my adventurous spirit, with their unique ability to hover and access remote locations. Meanwhile, a window seat of an airliner brings me an unequal sense of peace and calm, as I gaze out over the endless expanse of sky and watch the world pass below.

What do you do to maintain and nurture your Love for Aviation?

Like with anything I love, the maintenance and nurturing are done effortlessly and enthusiastically. From attending aviation events, visiting museums, plane spotting, and watching spotting channels on YouTube (yes, it’s a thing) to planning trips to explore and experience various new aviation events. (Cough) My trip to England 🙂 Yeah, my aviation checklist from that trip. Got to fly on an Airbus A330-200, did my first air-to-air photoshoot with WWII Warbirds over the English countryside, countless spotting trips to London-Heathrow drove 2 and a half hours to see TSR.2, did a helicopter flight over London, then spent 5 days at the world’s largest military airshow. I will shoehorn aviation into any conversation whenever possible along with spending countless hours on Flightradar 24. Driving around any airport with airplanes taking off or landing in view is troublesome for me. The need to see and identify what’s taxing to the runway, taking off, or landing is way too distracting.

What do you love about it most? And why

Whether it is in an airliner, helicopter, or hanging out the back of a Skyvan, for me going flying is by far the most enjoyable way to experience aviation. The thrill and power of takeoff always gives me chill bumps. There is something not only liberating and peaceful about glaring out the window, watching the world and clouds pass by.

Until next post,

Steven

“The Art of Sharing: The Importance of Thoughtful Interactions”

This is something I’ve been pondering far too long about and need to get it out of my thoughts so I can move on and focus on other ideas. So, sorry in advance if this comes off as “brain vomit”.  I’m sure someone has shared something with you that you found disturbing, inappropriate, destroys your peace of mind, ruined your mood or your day. To alleviate this, setting some clear boundaries when it comes to what is and isn’t appropriate to share. Boundaries such as follows. Do not share…

  1. Anything showing people dying, getting hurt, vomiting, or anything disturbing that you can’t unsee. 
  2. Anything News related. That includes politics, breaking news, celebrity gossip, deaths, natural disasters…
  3. Anything making fun of others based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation…etc.

It’s an active effort to protect whatever mood and peace of mind you’re in. It doesn’t work 100% of the time but well enough so you can much easily let it go and move on with your day without too much of an emotional upset. Unfortunately, some people just can’t help themselves; some give absolutely no thought about what it is they’re sharing and don’t care about the consequences of their actions along with how they will affect others…

Moving on to How one can share better? Before you hit send or share something with others, ask yourself the following questions. 

  1. Is this helpful?
  2. Is this informative and truthful? 
  3. Is this funny? Without being harmful. 
  4. Is this meaningful or necessary? 

If the answer is no to any of these questions, maybe you should reconsider sharing it. The fact is you don’t know what frame of mind someone is in, along with what they’re dealing with. And the tiniest amount of consideration goes a hell of a long way. Remember, sharing is caring.

Artwork by:www.edvolvelearning.com

And how we respond is equally important. Sharing is a two-way street. And I feel we tend to take for granted when someone shares something with us. The act of sharing shows us that someone was thinking about us. And if someone shared something with you that you’ve already seen? Remember, they don’t know what you have or haven’t seen. Respond back somehow. With an emoji, “Thanks” or “Thanks for sharing”, not replying can be perceived negatively. It doesn’t have to be immediately, but at least by the end of the day. Most can understand that we all have lives to live. One more thing, try not to share cross platforms. For example, messaging someone a Facebook link on Instagram. People are not likely to leave whatever platform they’re on. Sorry for this being unpolished but I feel the heart of the idea is there and I have more ideas, short stories, and projects I want to work on.

Until next post,

Steven