All posts by G Dan Mitchell

G Dan Mitchell, photographer and visual opportunist focusing on the Pacific coast, the Sierra Nevada, redwood forests, California oak/grasslands, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography and more. Posting daily photographs since 2005, along with articles, reviews, news, and ideas.

Photographs: San Francisco, Photographs: Urban/Street

Pedestrian, Bus Stop, Street

July 8, 2016 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

A pedestrian walks past a bus stop along a San Francisco street

Living a short train ride away, I get to photograph in the streets of San Francisco on a fairly regular basis. The street is always a laboratory for exploring color and shape, light, people, architecture, urban landscape, and more. One of the benefits, in my view, of this kind of photography is that it almost forces one to think and respond quickly and intuitively, sharpening the instincts of seeing in ways that are useful for any kind of photography.

Despite the appearance, I made this photograph along a very busy street — Market Street — in downtown San Francisco. In fact, it took a great deal of good fortune to be able to place the walker in this exact spot at the instant when no cars, trucks, buses, rail cars, or other people were in the frame! The person is one subject, but the light is another – dappled light coming from behind, reflected by buildings and passing through sidewalk trees. Color is a bit significant, too, but you probably already figured that out…

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Flight, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Geese at First Light

July 7, 2016 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

A flock of geese catch the first light above the Sacramento Valley

I’ll begin by briefly repeating the background of my visit to this place. Last winter, after several years of photographing migratory birds enthusiastically at some wonderful and familiar locations, I decided it was time to expand my horizons a bit. I set out to explore a few other new (to me) places where the birds can be found, mostly further north in California that I typically go to photograph this subject. These trips eventually took me all the way up to the far northeast corner of the state and even into Oregon, but the first excursion was to some areas in the Sacramento Valley.

I had read about this area and passed by it many times, including once or twice during the “bird season.” Shortly after New Years Day I decided to make a visit focused on photographing birds — and, as is my habit, the landscapes they inhabit. Many hours before dawn I set out on the long, dark drive to the north. I arrived at this place moments before sunrise and had to work quickly on pure instinct to find photographs in this unfamiliar landscape. I quickly discovered areas where there were birds, including this flock of geese taking to the air in the first sunlight of the morning.

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Equipment, Fujifilm

Fujifilm Announces XT2 Mirrorless Digital Camera

July 6, 2016 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Everyone knew it was coming — and knew most of the specifications — but Fujifilm has announced the new X-T2 mirrorless digital camera.

X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera

The X-T2 takes its place alongside the X-Pro2 as the second of Fujifilm’s two “flagship” camera bodies. Both use a 24.3MP X-trans 1.5x cropped sensor and both work with the excellent selection of Fujifilm lenses. Like its predecessor, the popular X-T1, the X-T2 has a DSLR-like design with an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Fujifilm says that it improves on the autofocus system of the X-T1. The camera also can make 4k video, a first for Fujifilm, it has impressive burst mode speeds, and a flip out view screen on the back of the camera. There are rumors that the X-T2 can be charged directly using USB.

If you are ready to go out and buy one… you’d better be patient. First deliveries are scheduled for around September 8, 2016.

Preorders are available now:

Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera (body only) $1599: B&H | Adorama
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm lens $1899 B&H | Adorama

X-T2 Vertical Power Booster Grip

Fujifilm has also announced the X-T2 Vertical Power Booster Grip, a long-rumored vertical grip for the X-T2. The grip holds two extra batteries (for a total of three in the camera), which extends shooting time without a battery change and also enables higher speed shooting and 4k video recordings of up to a half hour. Price is $329.99.

The XT-2 Vertical Power Booster Grip is expected to be available in September 2016. Preorders are available now: B&H | Adorama

EF-X500 Electronic Flash

One weakness of the Fujifilm system for some photographer has been the lack of support for electronic flash. Despite periodic rumors nothing has been released… until now. Fujifilm also announced a new EF-X500 electronic flash unit. List price is $499.99.

Expected availability for shipping is September 2016. Preorders are available now: B&H | Adorama

Updated “Lens Roadmap”

Fujifilm, unlike some other manufacturers, has provided a “lens roadmap” describing their overall system of lenses, including both current and planned future products. The roadmap was updated at the time of the X-T2 announcement to include three new lenses and planned introduction timelines.

Continue reading →

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Late Winter, Sierra Foothils

July 6, 2016 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Bare trees, new grass, overlapping hills, and late-winter haze in the Sierra Nevada foothills

Back in late February we spent a few days in Yosemite Valley in connection with the opening of the 2016 Yosemite Renaissance show in The Valley. While we were there we also photographed in the Valley, which is always a pleasure in winter, a time of year full of special subjects and conditions.

We left the Valley to head home and had time to take a round about route that would take us past one of our favorite migratory bird locations at sunset, so we wandered a bit in the Sierra foothills around Mariposa. While driving one back road we spotted this landscape of bare trees, brand new grasses, and hills receding into the winter haze.

G Dan Mitchell Photography