Back to New Orleans

Scooter in The Quarter, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f4, 1/200 sec.

 

I just made my room reservations (on AirBnB) for a trip to New Orleans next month. I'll be attending the LHSA (International Leica Society)'s Spring Shoot.

 

(Click Here) to learn more about the LHSA, and the Spring Shoot event. If you're a Leica enthusiast, you may really enjoy the Society. I do.

 

I also have a couple of great friends in the area, so will also get to spend a little time with them.

 

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Ruslan Pelykh and the Leica D-Lux 6

Made with the Lumix DMC-LX7, Sister to Leica D-Lux 6

 

As you may know, I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100, which is the approximate equivalent to the new Leica DLux (Type 109). It was a tough decision to buy the LX100, as the previous camera in the LX series, the LX7, is so darned good. The LX100 has the LX7 beat hands-down in image quality; the Micro 4/3 sensor stuffed into the LX100 assured that. But, the LX7 has some features (built-in ND filter, manual focus memory, real depth of field preview) that the LX100 lacks. All that said, I'm very happy with my purchase of the LX100.

 

I was just reading about Ukrainian photographer Ruslan Pelykh, and how he's used the Leica DLux-6 (equivalent to the Lumix LX7) to make both films and still photographs that are most impressive. Pelykh now lives in NYC, and is "obsessed" with the hazy weather that sometimes comes to the City. While Pelykh focuses a lot of effort on his movies, I find his still work to be very good. He tends to plan his shoots roughly, but then let the unexpected factors take control. He likes to add some chance to his plans. Pelykh likes to use the DLux-6 in low light situations, usually at iso 200, which necessitates very long exposures.

 

(Click Here) to read the article on the Leica blog, and see Pelykh's movies and still shots with the DLux-6. I bet he's really going to love the DLux (Type 109) when he gets his hands on one.

 

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Big City Profession

NYC Subway Rider, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 800, f1.8, 1/125 sec.

 

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Incredible Price on the New Lumix DMC-LX100

Amazon has the silver version of the LX100 for $779.01 right now. It is out of stock, but apparently there were some available yesterday. That's a pretty great price. Please use my blog's Amazon link to buy yours!

 

The LX100 appears to be a worthy upgrade from the already very capable LX7 (which I have). The LX100 uses almost the entire area of a full Micro 4/3 sensor, much larger than the sensor in the LX7.

 

One of my friends just bought the Leica version of the LX100, the DLUX Type 109. He shared with me a couple of large prints (around 16x20). They were absolutely spectacular.

 

I'm not ready to pull the trigger on the upgrade for my LX7, but this price has me thinking.

 

Again, please use my link to Amazon to buy yours, and support my blog at no cost to you!

 

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Thoughts on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

 

Size Comparison - DMC-GX7 (Left) v. DMC-LX100 (Right)

Image Source: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0540594623/opinion-why-buy-a-panasonic-lx100-when-you-could-buy-a-gx7

 

I am a huge fan of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7. I have owned LX-series cameras since the LX2 came out. They are absolutely amazing in terms of features, lens speed and quality (Pana-Leica lenses, including the DC Vario-Summilux f1.4-2.3 lens on the LX7), and compact design. Up until now, the only downside to the LX cameras has been small sensor size. Of course, that small sensor enabled some of the very positive features already mentioned, most clearly the overall compact design of both body and lens (not interchangeable). From the LX3 on, there has been an available accessory electronic viewfinder (EVF).

 

The newest LX-series camera is the DMC-LX100, which was announced a few weeks back. The LX100 addresses that small sensor question by putting a full-size Micro 4/3 sensor into a compact camera body. Not as small as the LX7, but still pocketable, the LX100 sports a 24-75mm equivalent f1.7-2.8 lens. And, the LX100 has a built in EVF. Very nice.

 

Knowing that the LX100 is a little larger than the LX7, I began to wonder if the GX1 Micro 4/3 camera I already have doesn't fill the space of the LX100. Both have the Micro 4/3 sensor, though the LX100 reported uses slightly less than the full sensor area. The GX1 is truly tiny, especially without the accessory EVF attached. Even with, it's quite small. But, I have nothing like a 24-75mm equivalent zoom with fast f1.7-2.8 aperture for the GX1. There's the 14-42 Series II kit lens, which is nothing short of great in my opinion, but it's a slow f3.5-5.6 aperture lens and makes the camera too big to fit in a pocket. The Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 zoom lens for Micro 4/3, slower than that on the LX100, quite expensive, and a lot larger, just doesn't compare.

 

If it weren't for the compact and fast lens on the LX100, I think the GX1 would make it completely redundant. As it is, that differentiates the LX100 as a very capable pocket camera from the GX1 or GX7 for that matter, which have the benefits of many great interchangeable lenses, but at the cost of size.

 

I still wonder how they can make this lens on a Micro 4/3 sensor as small as it is. Maybe I need to hold an LX100 to see just how compact it has remained (or not)

 

I decided to see if others had the same question about the overlap of the larger LX camera and the smallest Micro 4/3 cameras. Of course they did.

 

(Click Here) to read a comparison of the LX100 and GX7 on dpreview.com.

 

Author Damien Demolder comes to essentially the same conclusion as I did - the LX100 is indeed distinct from both the previous LX-series cameras, and the interchangeable lens G cameras.

 

At about $900, the LX100 is more expensive than the LX7 was. But, I'm pretty convinced that it's going to be worth every penny.

 

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Monarch Butterflies - Our Waystation Worked!

Last year was a bad one in terms of the number of monarch butterflies in our area. Some coworkers and I decided to plant a patch of milkweed to see if we could bring back a little habitat in a safe area for the butterflies to lay eggs and for the larvae to grow and mature. It was a failure. We didn't see any last year.

 

This year, I've visited the area a few times, and only saw one single adult monarch. However, they've obviously been around. Yesterday, I counted about ten of these lovely monarch caterpillars in our little planting.

 

 

I happened to be carrying my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, which makes a very nice closeup shot. I simply set the autofocus to Macro setting, exposure to P, and shot.

 

After considering the idea of bringing the caterpillars inside for more protected rearing, I decided that their chances are probably better right where they are. So, I wish the little guys luck!

 

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Panasonic Lumix LX100 is Here! Micro 4/3 Sensor is a Huge Upgrade from the LX7.

Well, it's finally here. And the rumors were pretty much true.

 

The Panasonic LX100 has been announced. The big news is the sensor, Micro 4/3 size, more than four times the size in area over the sensor in the DMC-LX7. That's awesome.

Image Source: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx100

 

(Click Here) to read a first-glance review on dpreview.com.

 

The lens is a DC Vario Pana-Leica Summilux Aspheric, 24-75mm equivalent, f1.7-2.8. Not quite as fast as the f1.4 lens on the LX7, the sensor size should more than make up for that difference. It also has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), as opposed to the accessory finder on the LX7.

 

You probably already know that I'm a huge fan of the LX7. That said, I can see no reason not to upgrade to the LX100. This is very exciting news.

 

Actually, I'm not sure "upgrade" is the right way to refer to it. The size of the LX100 seems to be somewhere between the LX7 and, say, the GX7. But, the fixed, fast zoom lens on this size sensor had to result in some increase in overall size.

 

The introductory price is $900. Pretty steep. But, I think that $900 buys you quite a lot of camera.

 

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Is That New Panasonic LX Series Camera Really Coming?

Were you waiting through the month of July for an announcement from Panasonic? Well, history did not serve as a great predictor for a new product introduction from Panasonic, at least not for a new LX series camera. As you may know, I'm a huge fan of the current LX7.

 

(Click Here) to read my (incorrect) musings about a successor to the wonderful DMC-LX7 being announced last July. It didn't happen.

 

Well, if the latest rumor on 43rumors.com is true, it will be worth the wait. Rated by the site as "FT5" (81-99% confidence), this rumor says the new "LX100" will have a Micro 4/3 sensor and 24-75mm f1.7-2.8 equivalent lens, all in a very compact body. It also says it will have a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). Now, I'm not sure how they'll make such a fast zoom for a sensor that size truly compact (at least in comparison to the current LX7 model). It hasn't really been done elsewhere. Some of it is limited by the laws of physics. I don't immediately see how they could make a fast zoom for this camera any smaller than the ones that are already available for the Micro 4/3 cameras, if they're going to take advantage of the full sensor size.

 

In any case, (Click Here) to read the latest rumors on 43rumors.com. If they're correct, we'll hear more today (September 15).

 

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Belizean Kids Selling Mango

We met these two kids on the beach at San Pedro, Belize. They were selling fresh mango slices (which the boy's carrying in the tub on his head). They were quite good at their jobs.

 

Fresh Mango on the Beach, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f5.6, 1/320 sec.

 

I loved how the people in Belize were generally quite happy to have their photograph taken. This image will remind me of their welcoming attitude for a very long time.

 

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Magnum Workshop in Provincetown, MA - I'm Going to Apply

September 15-21, 2014 is Magnum Days at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. Along with an impressive array of lectures, reasonably priced at $15 each, they're running a week-long workshop where students get to improve their work by studying directly with a Magnum photographer.

 

New Orleans Musicians, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f2.8, 1/200 sec.

 

(Click Here) to go to the Magnum Days web page.

 

The workshop requires submission of a small portfolio, photographer's statement, and a non-refundable deposit. This is just the application phase, and I may not get in.

 

While I'm a big fan of Bruce Gilden and Constantine Manos, I will select David Alan Harvey or Bruno Barbey as my first choice for a mentor. Both of them have published work that fits with my interests, and shows how much I have to learn.

 

For example, (Click Here) to see Barbey's work at Magnum.

 

They only allow a maximum of 12 students per mentor, so I'd better get busy and put in my application. What a boost it will be if I get in and spend a week with this group!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Just A Shot I Like - San Pedro Home

 

San Pedro Home, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f5.6, 1/2000 sec.

 

This image would really have benefitted from a person in the composition, especially just the right person. As it is, I still like it. The tied curtain in the door on the right is the most important element. If I'd had time, I would have waited for the right person.

 

I still think the image says something. The distinct sunlight/shade line reminds me of the time of day, and the Carribean sun. I can imagine how it may feel inside, in the cool darkness. The door on the left is a little mysterious to me.

 

Maybe I'm reading too much into a simple picture of a Belizean house front. That's okay, too.

 

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Belizean Bike Repair Shop

 

Belizean Bike Repair, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f4, 1/80 sec.

 

While walking around San Pedro, Belize, I came across these two young gentlemen, working away in what appeared to be their own bicycle repair shop. They were really excited by and jumped at the chance to get their picture taken.

 

The signs in the back of the shop are really interesting: 50 cents for tire repair, no lending of tools, etc.

 

I enjoy shooting environmental portraits, and this one fits the bill for me. I appreciated their willingness to pose for me. A few seconds, and we were off again, walking down the street.

 

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Belize - Fisherman and Frigate Birds at the Docks

At the dock in San Pedro, Belize, I came across this gentleman, cleaning the morning catch of snappers at the docks. These enormous frigate birds had gathered, much as you'd see seagulls and sometimes pelicans do in the US.

Sharing the Catch, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f5.6, 1/1600 sec.

 

In the shot below, I really like how the birds form a curve leading to the food source. To me, it looks like the image is a composite of several shots of the birds; it's not. Just good timing.

 

Frigate Birds Lining Up, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f5.6, 1/1000 sec.

And finally, a look at the barracuda that was lying at the fisherman's feet

 

Barracuda, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f5.6, 1/800 sec.

 

On the Belize trip, as in the past, I found the LX7 camera to be so capable. I sure hope Panasonic continues to market and develop the LX line of cameras. The LX7 represents a very powerful combination of compact size, full manual control, lots of imaging features, and overall image quality. If I'm going on a trip where I have to pack light, carrying just the LX7 lets me have confidence that I can capture high quality images with a very small, lightweight camera.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Waiters at Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans

I've already written some about Cafe Du Monde, home of great coffee and chicory in New Orleans. Every time I think of it, I can taste that great coffee, not to mention the devilishly unhealthy yet tasty beignets.

 

(Click Here) to go to the Cafe Du Monde website. If you like coffee, do not miss the chance to go here for breakfast. You can go anytime you like, as they're open 24/7.

Morning Routine, New Orleans, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 Lens

iso 200, f2.8, 1/90 sec.

 

Over the four days that I was in New Orleans, I made a series of three images of the people who work at the Cafe. The first shows how the place looks at sunrise, before most French Quarter inhabitants open their eyes (or soon after they've gone to bed?). It seems the morning crew is mainly made up of Asian women.

 

Morning Crew, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 Lens

iso 400, f4.8, 1/60 sec.

 

I like the lines in this composition. I think the out of focus chairs in the foreground help to bring you into the image, to see the ladies at the table as the focal point of the composition. I know some people don't like out of focus foreground elements; I happen to think they can be a powerful tool.

 

The next two were shot later in the day, when the Cafe is full of customers.

 

Interaction, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f2.2, 1/250 sec.

 

In the shot above, I like the interaction between the waiter and the blond lady with her back to us. That imaginary line between his eyes and hers is as distinct as if it actually existed, at least in my mind, as I look at this.

 

Now here's my favorite of the series, and one of my favorite shots from the whole trip.

 

Break Time, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f4, 1/200 sec.

 

I made this shot pretty much from the hip as I walked by. The tiny, silent Lumix LX7 was completely non-threatening. One fraction of a second, and it was over.

 

As usual, I found the LX7 to be a wonderful travel camera, and also as usual, was interested to find that several of my favorite shots were made with it. I can't say enough about how great that little camera is. That's probably why I wrote an ebook about how I use mine (see link below to get your copy for only $2.99).

 

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Composition Choices - Tension at the Edge of the Frame

Today I want to demonstrate an element of composition that I like to use once in a while - adding tension to a photograph with an important element near the edge of the frame. Now, it really does add tension, not comfort, so it's not something you want to use all the time, most likely.

 

Here's what I mean.

New Orleans Balcony #1, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

 

Now, I like the shot above quite a bit. Very strong leading lines everywhere, and the waitress at left is a very nice focal point, somewhere near the edge, but not at it. I like this shot, but don't love it.

 

Here's another, same place, just a few seconds different timing, with just a little different composition.

 

New Orleans Balcony #2, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

 

Overall, I'd say this shot is not as nicely composed as the first. The lines converge more centrally to the image, giving a balance that I don't really like. Except. Except for the gentleman standing at the extreme left edge. He throws off that balance completely. His face is a slightly unexpected element in the composition, and I think he adds just that thing to make this picture better than the one above.

 

I don't think this technique makes for a comfortable, pretty image in most cases. In my opinion, good photographs impart an emotion, not always "oh, that's pretty!" I think the second image does that better than the first.

 

However, if I were picking one of these to hang on my wall, I'm not sure which I'd pick.

 

Opinions? Please share.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Steamboat House, Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans

My friend Ben took me on a walk along the levee near his home in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. I shared a shot of him taken on the levee in an earlier post. (Click Here) to see that shot.

 

Here's a map of the area:

 

Image Source: wikitravel.org

(I added the location of the Steamboat House)

 

One of the landmarks in the area is the Steamboat House. Here's how it looked on the day we visited:

Steamboat House, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 80, f2.8, 1/1600 sec.

 

Apparently, there are two Steamboat Houses; I only saw this one. Here's what wikipedia has to say about them:

 

"The Doullut steamboat houses are located on either side of Egania Street at numbers 400 and 503. The first house, closer to the river, was built in 1905 by Captain Milton P. Doullut, a riverboat pilot, as his home. The second was built in 1913 for his son Paul Doullut. In 1977 both houses were designated historic landmarks. The houses have two notable design influences, the first being the steamboats of the period, the second being the Japanese exhibit at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis (Louisiana Purchase Exposition). Notably, Mary Doullut (wife of Milton) was also a river boat captain, who worked on the river for over 30 years; she is believed to be the first woman to have held a Mississippi riverboat pilot's license."

 

(Click Here) to read about the houses and the Lower Ninth Ward on wikipedia.

 

Ben actually knows some of the people who live here. I'd love to go inside. We speculated that maybe the building actually had something to do with the steamboat trade, but that seems to not be the case.

 

The Steamboat House is a quirky little highlight of this historic area of the city.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Hmm. Time for a new Panasonic LX Series Camera?

 

Japanese Sakura, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f4, 1/320 sec..

 

I'm still quite pleased with my Lumix DMC-LX7 camera. So small, so capable. Nearly perfect as a compact travel camera, the LX7, like it's earlier LX-series brethren, offers the combination of a fast Pana-Leica lens, tiny form factor, manual everything, and auto everything (you select). The LX7 allows the use of the accessory electronic viewfinder as well. I'm always amazed at what this little camera can do.

 

That said, it seems about time for the next in the LX series to be announced. Here's the past announcement record:

 

LX3: July 21, 2008

LX5: July 21, 2010

LX7: July 18, 2012

 

So, it seems logical that we'll see an announcement soon. Since there's sensitivity about certain numbers in Asian culture, and based on the current pattern, I'd think it may end up being a DMC-LX9.

 

That said, I can't find anything on the web that indicates an impending announcement. In fact, I've read some speculation that the LX7 may be the last in the LX series. I sure hope not. To me, the LX cameras represent so much of what digital technology can achieve.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Oh 'Dem Crawfish!

 

Oh 'Dem Crawfish!, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 320, f1.9, 1/80 sec.

Edited in Snapseed

Crawfish, shrimp, and oysters. What says Louisiana more than that?

 

A simple grab shot through a restaurant window, yet another example of why the LX7 is such a great travel camera.

 

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The Dark Side

Another shot from the French Quarter in New Orleans.

The Darkside, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 320, f2.3, 1/125 sec.

Edited in Snapseed

 

This is an ornamental wrought iron work above a doorway in the French Quarter. It was creepy. I had to capture it.

 

The LX7 continues to amaze me, even though I've owned it for quite some time. The flexibility of the fast Leica zoom lens (f1.4 at 24mm equivalent, f1.9 at 50mm), multi-aspect ratio framing, zone focusing ability, and so many other features is tough to beat. This is the ultimate compact travel camera, in my opinion. Ready for fully automatic snapshots, or for manual control and interpretive image creation, the LX7 is one of the best cameras I own.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Flight Delay - Thank Goodness for Snapseed

My airplane seems to have a "maintenance" issue, which is apparently interchangeable with a "mechanical" issue in airline terms. They seem distinct to me, but what do I know?

 

While I sit here waiting to hear whether I'll be home tonight or not, I decided to edit and post an image from Japan.

 

Japanese Garden, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 200, f8, 1/60 sec.

Edited in Snapseed

 

The garden in our hotel in Hakone, a historic resort about an hour from Tokyo, has a stunning garden. I have been traveling and shooting a lot. This reminds me that I have a lot of material to edit from our Japan trip. More to come!

 

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