Category Archives: Commentary

Commentary

Thoughts About Camera Upgrades in 2024

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I am not one to upgrade camera gear every time a new model comes out, but I typically do replace older gear when truly major upgrades are introduced. There have been significant changes in cameras over the past few years as mirrorless designs have taken over. Yet I am still using a Canon full-frame DSLR for half of my photography — the half that includes my landscape work and much of my wildlife photography. (I also use a smaller Fujifilm system, primarily for travel and street photography, but sometimes for wildlife, too.)

So, at a time when it seems like everyone is shifting to mirrorless, why do I continue to use the Canon DSLR? I explore that question a bit in this post.

The Appeal of Mirrorless

Today’s mirrorless cameras have advantages over old-school DSLRs. A few years ago, as they were introduced, mirrorless cameras still had shortcomings. But those have largely been resolved and these cameras now are objectively better than the older DSLR designs. Things like auto-focus performance, operational speed, and IBIS (in-body image stabilization) were once weaknesses of mirrorless cameras, but they now are strengths. Display technology has improved a lot. Battery performance is improving. Autofocus is now arguably better on mirrorless than on DSLRs.

Why Wait?

If mirrorless systems are now better than their DSLR predecessors, one of which I continue to use, why haven’t I upgraded my full-frame system? The answer is a little complex, but let me explain.

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Commentary

The Quiet Pacific

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The Quiet Pacific
“The Quiet Pacific” — The Pacific Ocean on a quiet, overcast morning on the Big Sur Coast.

There is not a lot happening in this photograph. In fact, the scene was as close to static as ocean scenes can be. It can be quite dramatic and dynamic here, especially if the sun is out, a big swell is generating high surf, the wind is blowing, and wildlife is present. But on this unexpectedly foggy morning it was quite still and most of the tourists were still sipping coffee back in town.

The location is a very high overlook along the Pacific Coast Highway south of Carmel. Several things intrigued me about the scene on this morning — not just the unusual stillness. The boundary between the ocean and sky was muted by the fog bank, and the light was soft and gray. A mysterious line of foam led from the foreground rocks far out into the ocean.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Commentary, Site News

Where Are the New Autumn Aspen Photos?

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If you have followed me here or on social media for a while you know that I’m passionate about photographing fall color in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. I usually spend a lot of time up there during the first two or three weeks of October when the colors peak.

But I don’t have any new Sierra fall color photos to share this year. I thought I should explain why.

Something felt “off” back in June after we returned from our UK trip and Great Glen Way trek. I chalked it up to lingering effects from a probable covid infection. But eventually the issue become more serious and it became clear that I was having a heart problem, and by late August it was interfering with my activities.

Symptoms became serious enough at the beginning of September that I made an emergency room visit. After hours of observation and testing showed rather high blood pressure but otherwise normal results, I was sent home. A few days later I had additional heart tests, which were also encouraging — no structural heart abnormalities. A heart rhythm issue was discovered, but it doesn’t look serious and it should be treatable.

Blood pressure medication (that I probably should have started much earlier) was prescribed, and it is having a positive effect. My symptoms are greatly diminished and continuing to improve as we work out the best treatment plan. I’m very encouraged, and it looks like my activities won’t be seriously impaired going forward. (Though I am a little peeved that my doctor told me to eliminate coffee and alcohol for now! ;-) )

Even though my doctor said it would be OK, I felt that spending time at high elevations while still having disturbing heart symptoms would not be wise. So I’ve been hanging out here at sea level… and fortunately there’s a very scenic coastline nearby!

On one hand, I really miss being up in the mountains as the seasons change, and I think about it all the time. On the other hand, I’m grateful that I’m getting treatment, and that I should be able to get back up there in the future!

Annual Favorites, Commentary

2023: Favorite Photos

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It is that time again — time to share favorite photographs from the past year. I am sharing “2023: Favorite Photos,” including a dozen representative images. I think it is a diverse set, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Below is a single image of the full set of twelve. Subjects include the Sierra Nevada (of course!), Death Valley (also of course!), the California coast, birds in California’s Central Valley, a macro photograph, an urban landscape from Manhattan, and several photographs from our 10-week visit to (mostly) Southern Europe.

G Dan Mitchell — Twelve Favorite 2023 Photographs
G Dan Mitchell —Twelve Favorite 2023 Photographs

It is a group of 12 images chosen from among my 2023 favorites — not necessarily my “12 Best Photographs” of the year. (See the difference?) The process of winnowing the set down to a dozen left out other favorites. I like all of those photographs, but I chose these because they represent a variety of work and cover some of the main experiences, places, and subjects of 2023.

I’ll post each photo separately below, too, adding a bit of narration to each image. I hope you enjoy them!

The individual photographs follow, in no particular order, accompanied by brief descriptions. Click the photographs to display them larger. Click their titles to see and read the original posts, which include more descriptive text. You may leave comments and questions at the end of this article.

Clearing Sunset Storm, Mono Basin
“Clearing Sunset Storm, Mono Basin“

Our long visit (ten weeks!) to Europe last summer was wonderful, but I missed almost the whole summer in “my Sierra Nevada.” (I haven’t yet figured out how to be in two places at once.) But once we returned to the USA I turned my attention to the mountains and made my first visit of the (tail end of) summer in mid-September. I was on the East Side on this stormy evening when the sky and clouds above Mono Lake lit up, providing a dramatic and spectacular light show.

Monterey Cypress, Clearing Fog
“Monterey Cypress, Clearing Fog“
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