DMC-365 - Exploring the Interface Between Equipment and Creativity in Photography

DMC-365 focuses on creative photography equipment, techniques, and approaches. I believe that equipment is part of the creative process. I use Leica, Panasonic Lumix, Nikon and other cameras, both digital and film. On DMC-365, you can expect to see a lot of my own work, as well as work by others that I find interesting. I share methods, equipment developments, and creative approaches to photography.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Antietam National Battlefield In Winter, Lumix DMC-G1 and 20mm f1.7

View from Mumma Farm, Antietam, Sharpsburg, Maryland

by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso100, f16, 1/100 sec

On September 17, 1862, one of the bloodiest battles of the United States Civil War began here at Sharpsburg, Maryland. This view is from the Mumma Farm, which was deliberately burned by Confederate forces, to prevent Union sharpshooters from gaining the advantage of the shelter. The Mumma family had already fled, and returned to rebuild the farm in 1863.

Mumma Farm Detail, DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

Detail - Mumma Farm Outbuilding

by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso100, f3.5, 1/200 sec

I walked the Bloody Lane Trail at Antietam in December, 2009. From the Mumma farmhouse, the trail leads over the bald hillside where 10,000 Union soldiers marched to the Sunken Road, an old farm wagon road, already occupied by some 2,200 Confederates. After the battle, there were so many dead from both sides, the road was renamed "Bloody Lane."

Bloody Lane Approach, DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

The Union Approach to Bloody Lane

by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso100, f16, 1/80 sec

In total, there were nearly 100,000 soldiers involved in the battle here; 23,000 were killed. While the Union held the field at the end of the fighting, both sides took horrendous damage, and the line of possession changed very little as a result.

Antietam Sunset, DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

Sunset Over Split Rail Fence of Antietam

by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso100, f8, 1/1300 sec

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Jordan Steele's Night Shots of Columbus, Ohio, with GX1

Jordan Steele Posts DMC-GX1 Shots of Columbus at Night

Image Source:

http://admiringlight.com/blog/

Columbus at Night, by Jordan Steele

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, Olympus 12mm f2

Jordan Steele has posted a few very nice night shots of Columbus (I'm assuming it's Columbus, Ohio). It's funny, I was born in Columbus, but have only frequented the suburbs; I don't recognize what the city itself looks like.

(Click Here) to see Jordan's blog and post.

These shots reminded me of my images of Alexandria, Virginia from a couple of nights ago. The high iso capability of the newest Lumix cameras really enables us to do some things in very low light.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 16, 2012

New Lumix Camera USA / Asia Catalogs Posted

New Panasonic Camera System Catlogs Posted

Image Source: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/g3/img/index/head.jpg

Panasonic has posted a beautiful series of catalogs and marketing material for their camera offerings in the US and Asia.

(Click Here) for the main page.

These are really well-done pieces, in my opinion. I have looked at the DMC-G3 and DMC-LX5 catalogs pretty closely, as I own and use both. Looking at the G3 catalog reminds me that I too easily get stuck in my ways, and neglect to learn all the features of my cameras. For example, I really need to play with "Pinpoint AF" function, which allows you to indicate on the LCD the exact point in the image where you want to focus. So far, I have not used the touch screen much at all.

Of course, these catalogs also remind me of all of the optional accessories, flashes, and lenses available for the Lumix system. Uh oh, I feel Gear Acquisition Syndrome coming on again...

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Night Shots - A Walk in Alexandria, Virginia

I am on a business trip in Alexandria, Virginia. I took a brief walk this evening, down King Street. Here are a few photos I took.

King Street, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

iso 3200, f1.4, 1/100 sec

It had just rained a little, which added a nice sheen to the street. I made my way down to Tiffany's Tavern, a place I had heard of, but never been. I stayed long enough to have a non-alcoholic Beck's beer (woohoo!), and hear a song or two.

Bluegrass at Tiffany's Tavern, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

iso 3200, f1.4, 1/40 sec

On the way back to my hotel, The Majestic Cafe's blazing neon sign caught my eye.

The Majestic, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

iso 800, f4, 1/400 sec

And here's a little self-portrait of me in the hotel's courtyard.

Self Portrait, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

iso 400, f5.6, 0.8 sec

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Raindrops and Bokeh - Panasonic-Leica 45mm Macro-Elmarit

A heavy overnight rain left these raindrops on the trees. I love how the out of focus ones form an abstract curtain of light areas in the background.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Panasonic-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso160, f5.6, 1/60 sec

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Panasonic-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso160, f5.6, 1/40 sec

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Panasonic-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso160, f5.6, 1/30 sec

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Monday, February 13, 2012

Tyson Robichaud Continues His Transition to the Lumix G3

Chicago in Winter - Tyson Robichaud

Image Source:

http://tysonrobichaudphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/p1020114.jpg?w=680

In his latest post, Tyson Robichaud shares some great night photography from the Windy City, all taken with the Lumix G3 (except one with the GF1).

(Click Here) to see the whole post, with several great images.

Tyson comments on how it worked for him to leave his full-frame DSLR at home, and use only Lumix cameras. In addition to the Lumix 14mm f2.5 and 20mm f1.7, he used adapted legacy lenses - the Canon FD 50mm f1.2 and Contax 45mm f2.

Like Tyson, I have really embraced the Lumix DMC-G3. I am becoming more comfortable with leaving my Nikon DSLR behind much of the time. However, it is not a complete transition for me. Probably the biggest thing preventing me from leaving DSLRs all together is flash photography. I have yet to figure that out on the G3. Some of it is my need to explore it. However, I know for sure that Panasonic does not have anything as highly evolved as Nikon's wireless and iTTL systems.

Regardless, I am thankful for all that the G3 does so well, and enjoy using it very, very much. I will keep pushing the limits of the technology.

Thanks, Tyson, for sharing your experience and unique images of Chicago in winter!

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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jazz, ETC - Local Barn Burners Play "Barns of Rose Hill" in Berryville, Virginia

On Saturday, February 11, I braved the cold weather to see an unusual concert at "Barns of Rose Hill" in Berryville, Virginia. This venue was renovated from a couple of old barns in 2010. This is how it looked in April of 2010:

Barns of Rose Hill, Pre-Renovation, April 2010, by Reed A. George

Leica M8, iso320, f11, 1/125 sec

It is now renovated, transformed into an excellent location for enjoying local music, with a combination of original materials and some modern finishes. It has an excellent sound system, and professional stage lighting (more on that later).

The concert on Saturday night was an uncommon matching of sultry vocalist Jennifer Kirkland and guitarist Burt Carlson, who work together regularly, with local musicians Robert Gordon (on bass) and Danny Knicely, mandolinist.

I had heard Burt play once in the past, on the celebration of jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt's 100th birthday. I have heard Danny play many times, mostly as part of Furnace Mountain, which is one of my favorite local bluegrass and old time music bands.

"Jazz ETC" at Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, VA,

February 11, 2012, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

iso3200, f2, 1/160 sec

As I mentioned above, the stage lights here are particularly challenging. They are LEDs, and really make for some strange mixes of color, even though I kept my white balance fixed for tungsten. I can only imagine what would have happened with auto white balance. Some of the images came out so blue or purple that they were saturated in that channel, with essentially no light registering in other channels. I had exactly the same phenomenon when I shot at a previous show here earlier in the year.

The music was what you may call an "eclectic mix," including everything from Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love," which was recently covered by Madeleine Peyroux, a tune by Louis Armstrong, another by the Carter Family, and "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith. That pretty much covers some musical ground, doesn't it?