Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943

Mike Evans, a welder, at the rip tracks at Proviso yard of the Chicago and Northwest Railway Company. Chicago, Illinois, April 1943. Reproduction from color slide. Photo by Jack Delano. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

You would be hard pressed to find a better collection of vintage color photography anywhere, kudos to the people over at the Denver Post…

These images, by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, are some of the only color photographs taken of the effects of the Depression on America’s rural and small town populations. The photographs are the property of the Library of Congress and were included in a 2006 exhibit Bound for Glory: America in Color.

Make sure you view them all via Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943 – Plog Photo Blog.


Olympus OM-D E-M5 – Thoughts from a Micro 4/3 Skeptic

The E-M5 in Black and Silver

My new Olympus OM-D E-M5 arrived this past Friday from Adorama.  It had been on back-order so long, I had almost forgotten about it.

Let me start off by stating that this is definitely not a full-blown review, I’ll leave that to the many others out there in cyberspace, who certainly do a better job of this kind of thing.  What I wish to convey, though, is the reasoning behind my purchase of this unit, from the perspective of someone who has already dabbled in the micro four-thirds world, and who has never been overly impressed with the cameras that came before it.

I own a Olympus EP-2 (that I won in a contest a number of years ago, when it was initially released.), and although I loved the “idea” of the digital Pen series, the execution failed to impress.  The form-factor of the Pen is great, but – try as I might – I never liked the clip on viewfinder, and I absolutely hate taking shots via a camera’s rear LCD.  It wasn’t the resolution of the viewfinder that put me off, but the “wonky” and delicate way it attached to the camera itself.  Besides this critical flaw, the unit’s lack of image quality, relatively poor high-ISO performance, and very slow AF relegated it to infrequent use.  I did, however, love the ability to use legacy glass – and enjoyed using it with my existing array of M mount lenses (and my Contax stuff too).

Fast forward to around the beginning of this current year, when I realized that I sorely needed something to travel with.  I often head out on the road on a motorcycle, taking trips of varying length, and my existing digital gear didn’t quite fit with these types of excursions.  My Canon gear is too bulky, and my Fuji X100 (which I absolutely love) is too limiting in terms of focal length and AF speed.  So, I started to compile a list of candidates to better serve this purpose, and managed after a while to narrow my choices down to the following four models:

Fuji XPro 1

Like I mentioned before, I absolutely love my X100.  The build quality, incredible hybrid view finder, and tremendous IQ are hard to argue with.  But, this newer system is VERY expensive, and if I wanted to make this leap I would need to sell off my X100.  I would have the benefit of utilizing my legacy lenses.  At the end of the day, though, the issues with slow AF would still remain, and the lenses – albeit superb – would certainly lighten my wallet.

Sony NEX7

No issues with slow AF or marginal image quality here.  Plus, I really became intrigued with the focus peaking features.  Again, legacy lenses can be adapted readily, so this was a plus, but I had serious concerns about the lack of lenses available.  What really did this one in, though, was the “Star Trek” like styling.

Canon G1X

This was a serious consideration due to the wonderful on-camera controls and compact size.  I have previously owned a G10, and the small sensor in that camera was one of the few faults I had with it.  This camera was considerably less expensive than the others, so that was also something to consider.  The larger sensor in the G1X rectified my concerns about image quality, but the lack of interchangeable lenses was a continuing concern.  Add to that the less than stellar optical view finder, and it too, was out of the running.

Which brings me around to the answer to my search…

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Even though I had serious doubts about the Micro Four Thirds format, I had to consider this model.  Initial reviews showed that the new sensor in this camera went a long way to rectifying Olympus’s previous problems with IQ and high ISO performance.  The auto-focus was supposed to be extremely fast.  The unit was both compact and stylish, plus it had the added benefit of being weather sealed (something none of the others in consideration had).  The price pint was high, and availability was a legitimate concern, but it really seemed to address all of my core requirements.

Now, after having it in my hands over the weekend, I am very happy to state that it really was the best choice for my intended use.  It is fast, compact and highly customizable.  The image quality is improved, and the AF speed has definitely lived up to its advanced billing.  The styling and functionality are superb, and even the little clip-on flash unit works well.  It is an absolute perfect fit for my needs, with the added bonus of using it with legacy lenses.

In the end, I had to be willing to part with my Contax G2 film rig, and its incredible array of lenses, to fund this purchase, but I’m now glad I did.  It took a while (over 3 months!) to get a hold of, but was definitely worth the wait.

There’s no way it will replace my Canon equipment for serious, professional work – but it will come in handy for limited street duty, and it is especially suited for my travel needs.  If you are looking for pretty much the perfect digital camera that can be packed up and taken just about anywhere easily, but are unwilling to sacrifice lens interchangeability and image quality, then this is the perfect camera for you.


Copyright Claim Against Tumblr May Test Immunity of Photo Sharing Sites

This should prove to be very interesting…

A publisher has filed a copyright infringement case against Tumblr, launching what could be a test of legal rights and responsibilities of photo sharing services and their customers. The outcome could determine the limits of protection photo sharing services such as Tumblr, Pinterest, and Twitpic have from claims over infringements committed by their subscribers.

Perfect 10, a San Diego-based publisher of pornography, has filed suit alleging that Tumblr ignored repeated requests to remove photos that had been uploaded to Tumblr without authorization from Perfect 10.

Perfect 10 says it sent six take-down notices to Tumblr during September, October and December, 2011. But Tumblr has for the most part ignored the notices, Perfect 10 alleges. “Tumblr has failed to completely process any of Perfect 10′s [take-down] notices, taking down at most only a handful of the over 200 infringing images.”

Many of those images had Perfect 10 copyright notices or watermarks “conspicuously placed on the images.”

Perfect 10 says Tumblr should be held liable for failure to abide by its obligations under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) and for willfully ignoring the widespread and uncontrolled copyright infringment pervading its web site.

via Copyright Claim Against Tumblr May Test Immunity of Photo Sharing Sites.


Greater London Authority Seeking Independent Photographer to Cover Upcoming Olympic Games

Oh, if only I wasn’t on the “wrong side of the pond”.  A great opportunity for some lucky photog out there…Video and photography tender

Help capture London at the top of its game this summer
Invitations to tender are sought for the GLA’s 80283 Video and Photography project taking place over the Olympic and Paralympic games.
Expressions of interest are sought to tender for the delivery of all photographic and videographic services to the GLA during the 8 week period of both the Olympics and Paralympics.
This project is a once in a lifetime experience to capture London at the top of its game, with Londoners and visitors celebrating across town. We’re looking for a photographic/videographic approach that will capture the excitement of this summer, the breadth of amazing activities and the world class quality of the experiences on offer. The resulting images should tell a story of a summer like no other, in a distinct and recognisable way that stands out from all the snaps that will be on social media straightaway.
The purpose of the project is to promote London and the UK around the world through the provision of media services and a pro-active content programme that reflects different aspects of the host city across a number of editorial areas.
The content programme will reflect stories that cover business, culture, fashion, heritage, entertainment, tourism, food, accessibility and a number of other content areas for broadcast, written and digital media platforms, including those of the organisations registered for the London Media Centre and LOCOG media areas.
The Mayor is funding and delivering a £90 million programme of events and celebrations across London in 2012 as part of the London experience through Games time. He is also is funding and delivering a £6.8 Media Centre to host domestic and international media.
The maximum funding available for this project is £160,000.
We are looking for suitably qualified organisations that can demonstrate the knowledge, innovation and flexibility to deliver quality services to tight deadlines.

via Video and photography tender | Greater London Authority.


Rumored Leica M9-M, Just Stupid

This is simply the most ridiculous offering I have ever seen from the world of Photography.  Rumor has it that Leica will be announcing a new model this week, the M9-M.  If the specs shown below are true, then this is definitely the biggest “boondoggle” I have ever seen concerning new camera technology.

Leica M9-M Monochrome rangefinder:

All black camera body with no red dot or any other markings on the front, there will only be a Leica Monochrome engraving on the top plate (similar to the M9-P). The M9-M will  basically be a M9-P but with a monochrome sensor.
The price of the new M9-M will be slightly higher than the M9-P ($8000) – my guess is $8,500 or $9,000.

Just think, an M9 (which is already overpriced beyond belief), with less capability – for over $1000 more

Of course, all this means that all the rich “Leica-philes” out there will soon be clamoring for one of these to call their very own.  This phenomena will be followed by those same people, singing it’s praises and congratulating Leica on yet another “innovation”.

What a load of bunk…

via What to expect from Leica next week: M9-M, X2, 50mm Cron, V-Lux 40 | Leica News & Rumors.


The Future of Film

A really well written article on the subject by the people over at PDN…

When Eastman Kodak Company announced the discontinuation of its line of professional color reversal films on March 1 it was the latest disappointment in a months-long string of miserable news from the company. The slow march toward Kodak’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the beginning of 2012 was preceded by weeks of gloomy rumors and news stories about shares of the company’s common stock dropping below $1.

After Kodak’s bankruptcy announcement, photographers who over the past several years had seen film and paper stocks discontinued, labs shuttered, and analogue photography equipment and resources dwindle could be forgiven for believing that the drawn-out “death of film” was finally reaching its conclusion, and that the discontinuation of Kodak’s slide film was the beginning of the long-rumored end.

The reality, however, is that the film business remains profitable for Kodak and other film manufacturers, and film is showing glimmers of a resurgence among professional photographers and analogue enthusiasts. Manufacturers, photographers and retailers alike report signs of a rising demand for film. But whether or not Kodak’s film business will survive bankruptcy proceedings, and whether the film market will be sustainable long-term without a hike in prices, remains to be seen. (In early May, FujiFilm announced a 20 percent price increase for all of its films that will take effect in August 2012.)

Read it all, via The Future of Film.


Martin Sexton at World Cafe Live

Martin Sexton performs at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia - April, 2012

Went to see Martin Sexton perform at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia this past Friday evening.  His performance was stellar, as usual.  Took just a few shots at this venue, you can see the rest, here…


The American Drive-in Movie Theater by Carl Weese — Kickstarter

This is an absolutely awesome Kickstarter Project.  I encourage everyone who is a fan of Documentary Photography to have a look and contribute to this worthwhile under-taking.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

The drive-in movie theater is an iconic feature of the American landscape, perhaps the ultimate vernacular architecture. At the peak in 1958 more than four thousand of them were scattered across every corner of North America. There was a great die-off in the 1970s, mainly because of rising property values. Theater owners have told me, “Nobody gets rich from a drive-in theater, unless they sell the land to Walmart.” 466 drive-ins were still operating last summer. The drive-in is also a uniquely North American institution—they are virtually unknown elsewhere.

Click this link, to view the whole scope of the project and contribute to it’s successful completion - The American Drive-in Movie Theater by Carl Weese — Kickstarter.


Violence rages in Sudan-South Sudan conflict

Yet another great photographic essay from Lens.com, take some time to view all these moving images…

Fighting continues along the border of Sudan and South Sudan this week. President Salva Kiir of South Sudan said the latest attacks amounted to a declaration of war after more bombs were dropped on his country. The conflict stems from South Sudan temporarily taking control of the oil-rich border town Heglig, which Sudan claims as its own. Tension between the two countries over control of oil resources and where the border lies has been ongoing since South Sudan seceded from Sudan in July of last year as a result of a 2005 peace treaty that ended decades of war. — Lloyd Young(24 photos total)

via Violence rages in Sudan-South Sudan conflict – The Big Picture – Boston.com.


Yashica MAT 124G – Score!

Twin Lens Reflex Loveliness!

I just grabbed one of these for a whopping $69!  I love medium format, and always wanted a TLR .  Looking forward to the 6×6 format, suits me much better than my current 645 too.

Stay tuned for pics soon.