Split
Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 14:37 ;)
Split Sky │ GF1 + Lumix 7-14mm F4.0 │ 14mm F5.0 1/2500s ISO100Yesterday, a good friend of mine and talented photographer took a critical look at some of my photos with me. These sessions always help me to gain new insights into my own work. Afterwards I can identify interesting photos I missed in the first round, as well as personal styles, themes and compositional elements I hadn't noticed before. We didn't find that many noteworthy photos from my recent trip to Canada, despite me using my brand new GH2. It seems I had a far higher percentage of good shots using my old GF1 in Rome. Rome seems to have inspired me more. It seems equipment isn't everything after all.
;)
Descending Edge │ GF1 + Lumix 20mm F1.7 │ 20mm F3.5 1/640s ISO100These two photos both feature a vertical element that bisects the photo exactly in the middle. They're not symmetrical, but rather structured by the vertical line. It's one of the compositional methods I used repeatedly while in Rome.
Italy, Lumix 7-14, Panasonic GF1, Rome, composition
Reader Comments (10)
Beautiful shots! I wonder if the smaller size of the GF1 contributed to the camera getting less in the way. Maybe it was your being more familiar with that model also. Or like you say, it could just be that Rome inspired you.
I'm planning a trip to
...Amsterdam & Berlin in a couple of months and struggling with what bodies & gear to bring. Debating whether I should bring a good selection of lenses (7-14mm, Voigtlander 25 f/0.95) and possibly even rent a second m43 body... or if I should just stick with my 20mm f/1.7 and my old LX3 for portability.
I know it's a very individual decision, but on your travels, do you find you wished you brought more gear or less?
Wonderfully moody shots.
Thanks for your comments, "hd72." I don't think the smaller size of the GF1 had much to do with getting better photos in Rome. The GH2 isn't significantly larger; the lens you choose has a much greater impact on the size of the camera. No, I think I was inspired by Rome and the moody, late autumn light.
As to which photographic equipment to bring on your trip, you ask a good question. That's a decision I also struggle with before each trip. Ideally, I like to travel with as little luggage and gear as possible. That way you are mobile and can go where others can't. At the same time, I want to have lenses that will cover the photographic situations I think I'll encounter. So for my month long trip to India in February, there will likely be situations in rural areas where I can't get close to my subject(s). So I'll take the (for Micro Four Thirds) large and heavy tele-zoom. But on a city trip like yours, that lens stays at home.
For Amsterdam and Berlin I think you could get away with just the 20/1.7 pancake and the LX3 like you suggested. Most of the shots and especially in low light could be taken with the pancake lens. Then if you needed a wider or longer focal length, you could switch to the LX3. That's not what I do on city trips though. I take the 20/1.7 and the 7-14/4.0 while my partner takes her Canon S90 which serves as a backup camera. The 7-14/4.0 is a great lens in densely packed urban environments; I can't see myself leaving home without it.
As to the Voigtländer, its a more specialized lens. I'll take it if I've never been in that place before and/or if the place I'm visiting is very far away. Of course that doesn't apply to Amsterdam, my hometown, or Berlin which I visit on a regular basis. Then I might take either the 25/0.95 or the pancake and nothing else. I any case it's never an easy process deciding what to take. The funny thing is though, once I arrived I rarely feel constrained by a lack of equipment once I've gotten down to taking photos.
By the way, If you have any questions regarding your trip to Amsterdam, I'd be happy to try and answer them.
Thanks for your kind words, John.
Hi Björn - thanks for your thoughts & insight! You're right... I keep imagining that with all its architecture, canals, and bridges, Amsterdam would give me some dramatic shots with the 7-14mm. I could get away with the LX3 but it just wouldn't be the same.
I have one more question: You mention you like using the 7-14mm lens, along with the 20mm on city trips. Do you bring both camera bodies now that you have two? Or do you prefer to swap out lenses instead? I guess there will be a bit of fumbling either way. ;)
I appreciate hearing that once the choice is made, you can always find a shot within your current available focal length range. Makes me a little less worried there will be regrets! Thanks for your input - this will be my first international trip (coming from the USA) with interchangeable lenses, and I want things to go smoothly. Street shooting is also going to be new for me (usually do nature / still life / macro / abstract) and so your thoughts will be very helpful!
I just swap them out - no need for two bodies dangling from my neck. I'll happily shoot away with the 7-14/4.0 for hours before I notice it getting dark and then I'll switch to the 20/1.7. Or maybe I'll be in a street full of shops and people when I'll mount the 20/1.7 which I prefer for street photography. Whatever, don't worry, it will go smoothly; If you're anything like me, you'll be so engrossed in the subject that you won't fret over lenses. As to Amsterdam, I'd be happy to get on my bicycle and meet you in the city to show you some unique photo locations - unless I'm in India (February 13 - March 12, 2011).
I just might take you up on that offer. :) I've included my "author email" in this comment - please drop me a note and i'll give you more info about my trip. Thanks!
I really like both pictures but the first one is my favorite, I like the cable on the top, it's almost like the camera grid lines.
I think Rome was more inspiring or maybe the light was better, sometimes I feel the same, go to a place to take pictures but nothing comes out while other times I am waymore inspired and get lots of good pictures.
You make a good case about the light while I was in Rome, Cristian. The weather was indeed very dramatic with threatening clouds which were occasionally pierced by the sun's rays. But Rome is not without other charms, of course. Toronto is a little harder for me to be inspired about, especially when the light is flat. I also know it very well as I lived there for several years. So there's not so much excitement about encountering the unexpected around every corner.