Eames pond on a pleasant New England autumn day in Velvia



Some images have to be worked very hard for and some just present themselves to you on a silver platter. While on an almost daily walk through one of my favorite parks I passed under a covered bridge to find this sight. The air was dry and a perfect autumn temperature. I'd like to say I spent hours adjusting every highlight, shadow and the color balance in post production but I didn't because this was the image straight out of the camera without so much as even any cropping. I simply selected the Velvia film simulation, dropped my EV to -2⁄3, set an infinite focus and captured the image. While smartphones can now capture amazing images they can't replace what you can record with a dedicated camera, especially the Fujifilm X-Series.

While the Velvia film simulation crushes the blacks to me it's a small price to pay for its strong blues and greens. The best camera you own is the one you have on you right now. For me that's at least my Fujifilm X100T otherwise it's one or both of my Fujifilm X-T1 cameras which share much of the same internals. If you have a great camera but it spends most of its time in a drawer then sell it and buy something you can fit in your pocket and take everywhere. If I had to recommend a camera that fits that bill it would be the Fujifilm X70 which also shares much of the same internals that took the above image. While now discontinued it's still better than the XF10, it's replacement, and can be had for about $600 in excellent condition from a quality used camera shop. Auction sites are cheaper but it's a crap shoot with them. Maybe you'll get a great deal or someone else's junk. Buying from a reputable used camera shop ensures you'll get what you paid for and something that's been checked and properly cleaned before sale.

The only way to become a better photographer and capture the images that move the viewer is to practice everyday. While I'd walked by this spot many, many times the day I took this image was the perfect day and I had the right camera, that I knew intimately, for the job. So maybe the perfect image doesn't just present itself on a silver platter but more that you have to always be looking for that silver platter.

Fujifilm X70, Black (KEH)

Image: Eames pond, Moore State Park, Paxton, MA on an Autumn afternoon. Fujifilm X-T1 in Velvia SOOC (straight out of the camera). image: ©Brian Beeler




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