Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Stuart Air Show


A beautiful weekend in Stuart for the spectators at the Annual Air Show at Witham Field. The partly cloudy skies provided just the right backdrop for the spectacular display of aerial prowess by daring pilots in modern as well as vintage aircraft. There was a full scale WWII battle reenactment including a parachute drop. Demonstrations by the Air Force F16 Viper, the Navy F18 Super Hornet as well as a variety of other daring aerobatic demonstrations, including the Navy Seals Leap Frog parachute jump with the American flag, and my favorite the AeroShell Aerobic team. I was using my new FujiFilm  XT2 with a 55-200mm lens this year and it was a learning experience, but I did get some good shots.

Click here for photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7htFOb1x2xOtPTS32

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Indiantown Rodeo



The Indiantown Rodeo, now in its 70th year, is sponsored by the Martin County Sheriff's Office and  professionally produced by the 4L Rodeo Company. With generous sponsors and countless volunteer hours, the Timer Power Park event brings real cowboys to compete in Bull Riding, Bronco Riding, Steer Wrestling, and Barrel Racing, to name a few -  great fun and an out-of-the-ordinary spectacle.

Click for more photos:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/L7p7eJESRPKxaB3v1


Sunday, October 8, 2017

Scott Kelbey's 10th Annual Worldwide Photowalk


Again this  year, photographers from around the world gather in various locations on the same day to explore, photograph, share photos with each another, make new friends, and be a part of a great cause. This year was the 10th Annual World Wide Photo Walk, which supports The Springs Of Hope Kenya Orphanage that feeds, houses, educates and empowers young orphans so that they can grow up to not just survive but succeed in life.

Click for some of my photos on the walk:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wC2io099gxnTWljX2


WorldWide PhotoWalk:
http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

Friday, March 10, 2017

2016 Year in Review


A great year to get out and photograph in Stuart, Florida. Some of the photography opportunities this past year included a Scott Kelby photo walk, lots of downtown activities, including Dancing in the Street, the Riverwalk Concerts and of course my favorites the Stuart Air Show and the Stuart Sailfish Regatta. Even had a few paid gig's, sold some prints and of course always learning and growing in my photography skills.

 Click here for the year in review: 
https://youtu.be/GbXl16w4tjU

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Back To The Future


After years of photographing with DSLR's, I have taken the leap to mirrorless!  Early on, I had used point and shoot film cameras for family or friends-type snapshots, eventually moving on to digital point-and-shoots. After retiring in 2002, I bought my first bridge camera. It was a Panasonic Lumix FZ40, a nice compact 14mp - 24x zoom camera. While getting more serious about photography and getting out of "auto" mode, this was a great little versatile camera to start learning photography.

It wasn't too much longer when, in 2013, I jumped up to a full size DSLR. The Nikon D5200, a 24mp APS-C (crop) sensor with interchangeable lens was a big step up in my photography use and experience. Before long I had acquired several more lenses for the Nikon.  It's a great camera for all kinds of photography - portraits, sports, landscapes - but it is bulky and heavy.

Because of desire for a smaller, lighter camera, I had been watching rapid development in the mirrorless field in recent years, with Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus and others making huge advancements in technology. After much research I zeroed in on the flagship Fuji X-T2. For me, besides reduced size and weight, the big features were the 24mp APS-C sensor, the retro manual dials, amazing EVF, fast focus, image quality, and available lenses.  On paper the Fuji, in a smaller form factor, actually outstrips my Nikon in every function and feature.

Because of high demand, it took months for my normal preorder to get filled, but once in my hands, the sophisticated tactical feel of the body and knobs was an awesome experience. Not having to fiddle in menus while having exposure settings all readily handy right on top of the camera is just astounding! There is something very comforting about the mechanical feel of this camera - you feel that you are part of the photography process. It is just plain fun to use!  The image quality is outstanding, and even while still learning to use the camera. It's unadjusted jpeg quality seems virtually to equal the Lr adjusted RAW files.


I have a lot to learn and explore with this system, but one thing I know. Spending time with this mirrorless camera will be an exciting adventure.