Tag Archives: 2

Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Gullies in Soft Light #2

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Gullies in Soft Light #2
“Gullies in Soft Light ” — Eroded gullies and ridges in soft light, Zabriskie Point.

In the right light (and perhaps with a certain amount of post-processing) the geological patterns in a place like this can be drawn out and emphasized. But most of the time they are rather subtle, with pastel colors and low levels of contrast. This is especially true early and late in the day when the formations are not in direct sunlight. In this series of photographs from Zabriskie Point I decided to embrace the low contrast light and allow subtleties of shape, texture, and color to predominate.

Previously I mentioned that I ended up here because in the predawn twilight I thought I saw the potential for a spectacular sunrise sky. You cannot predict such things with certainty, and this time the colors did not develop as I hoped. Since I was there and set up to make photographs, I decided to use a long lens and focus on smaller details of this area’s landscape.

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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

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Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Interrupted Dune #2

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Sand dune patterns, Death Valley National Park
“Interrupted Dune ” — Interrupted curve of sand at a Death Valley dune.

If you follow my posts and think that this looks familiar… you are right! It is a vertical (or “portrait”) format version of a subject that I shared earlier in a companion “landscape” orientation version. When a subject can work either way (albeit with different effects) it is my practice to capture both vertical and horizontal versions. I suppose one reason is that it relieves me of the worry that I might have picked the “wrong” option. It also puts off a final choice until later. In addition, it provides me with two visual options for the image, something that is occasionally useful. (For example, book and magazine covers tend to use vertical formats.)

Superficially this version looks a lot like the other one, though the taller and narrower format may give greater weight to the curve running between the bottom and top of the image and less weight to the darker portions of the scene. However, if you were to look at them side-by-side you would notice that the textures in the sand are subtly different, and that that colors have also shifted a bit. This photograph, like quite a few that I make in situations like this, was made in rapidly changing light conditions, and in the brief interval between the two photographs the scene changed visibly.

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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Geology Lesson #2

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Geology Lesson #2
Complex patterns of strata and erosion, Death Valley National Park

Geology Lesson . © Copyright 2020 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Complex patterns of strata and erosion, Death Valley National Park.

This photograph is because I have another photograph of this same scene, framed a bit differently. It is called “Geology Lesson” because… well, just look at it! There are so many layers — the literal layers of strata themselves, and the temporal layers of the effects of things that happened on extremely long time scales (the colorful layers of material laid down long ago and then twisted and bent) and more recent layers created by erosion.

Despite having a character that I find quite impressive, this particular spot is not one that usually rates more than a glance from park visitors, even though it lies between some very accessible and well known locations. In fact, I was driving past it on my way to another spot on this evening when I happened to look this direction and spot the juxtaposition of patterns. I quickly turned around and came right back, took out my gear, set up, and made a few photographs as soft evening light began to fade.

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 and Amazon.

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New Fujifilm X-Pro2 — and X-Pro1 Discounts

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Fujifilm announced the new X-Pro2 digital mirrorless camera today., The announcement provides very interesting opportunities for photographers — one being the new camera itself and the other being an extraordinary low price on its predecessor, the X-Pro1. (The X-Pro2 is now available for pre-order at B&H.)

The New X-Pro2

The X-Pro2 is the updated successor to  XPro1. The newer camera will feature:

  • A compact rangefinder style mirrorless design
  • 24 MP 1.5x cropped format sensor
  • Improved autofocus capabilities
  • A hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder
  • Manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, more
  • Wifi equipped
  • …and more
  • Body-only price is $1699 — preordering now available..

The X-Pro2 is now available for pre-order at B&H. I’m almost certain to upgrade to the X-Pro2 from the  X-E1 that has been my primary street and travel photography camera for the past three years.  (The current updated equivalent of my camera is the X-E2.) Since I’m sold on the Fujifilm system — bodies and lenses — the X-Pro2 will bring features that I’ve wanted for some time.

(See a Fujifilm press release for the X-Pro2.)

The Old X-Pro1

The announcement of the X-Pro2 brings a very special opportunity for folks who could use the X-Pro1.  The X-Pro1 provides

  • The same compact rangefinder design
  • An excellent 16MP 1.5x cropped format sensor
  • A hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder
  • … and more
  • a very low price of $499 for the body-only!

While the X-Pro2 most certainly brings useful  advances, the X-Pro1 is also a fine camera, and at this very low $499 price (it was originally $1299) it is a tremendous bargain right now. If you poke around a bit at the B&H website, you can find it with a lens for $699.

Other New Fujifilm Gear

Fujifilm also announced several other new products including…

This website has an affiliate relationship with B&H Photo. Your purchases through website links return a percentage of the sale price to this website — but your cost remains the same.

One More Thing

Regarding Fujifilm cameras, a quotation from Fuji X-series senior product manager Takashi Ueno in the British Journal of Photography says a lot:

“We are in a very good position to make a medium format camera, as we make camera bodies, sensors and lenses. We already make the lenses for Hasselblad, so we have that expertise.”

  1. Fujifilm, a company with a history of producing some excellent medium format film cameras, is becoming more open about their interest in medium format digital. (Note that they have not actually announced a product. Yet.)
  2. If you have wondered why those of us using the Fujifilm system are so enthusiastic about the beautiful Fujifilm lenses, re-read the quote if you missed it the first time and note whose lenses they currently make.

BJP article here, with the medium format discussion on page 2.

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