I’m on holiday so this is a day late and I’ll let you fill in the comments…. Back soon!
“Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph: not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual.” Edward Weston
OK guys and gals give me your thoughts on this quote from Weston!
Yours in Photography, Bob
As usual I am chasing birds with my camera… Adding a twist I turn the pelican, yes these images are based on a pelican. I call these mandalas…
Pelican Mandala fine art image by yours truly, Bob Coates Photography 
Pelican Mandala fine art image
Pelican Mandala fine art image variation.
Hard to post from the ship. More images upon my return.
Yours in Photography, Bob
Metal sculpture in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I think she’s kind of cute!!
Here’s the guy to go with her. I like the ‘Day of the Dead’ feel I got with the Impressive Art
setting and skewing the white balance to black and white with the GX7. I always shoot in RAW plus jpeg when using the settings so I can get back to the original information that was presented to the camera.
Cabo San Lucas is a very good sport-fishing port as evidenced by the people showing off their catch at the dock.
As Internet is pretty expensive on board the ship I won’t be posting as much as I like but I’ll get more to you upon my return…
When I last posted from my blog it was highlighting coverage from the Sedona International Film Festival. Kinda left you hanging didn’t I?? I left there and jumped onto a plane in order to take my wife on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera on board a Princess Cruise ship. I will share some more of those images and coverage upon my return.
Meanwhile here are a few images to help tell the story of a few ports we have already visited…
Here was the view off the rear of the ship as we left our first port of call San Diego, CA.
It was quite beautiful and the GX7 held up well in creating the panorama in camera.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico lovers beach view from the ship.
The Lumix GX7 is my camera of choice for travel as well as my everyday camera. My entire kit with camera and 4 lenses weighs just a bit more than my DSLR and a single lens making it an awesome choice for travel. The files hold up when I try to push them upon my return. Yahoo!!
More tomorrow…
Yours in Photography, Bob
I love this guy (or is it gal?) Anonymous. Seems to come up with all kinds of great ideas…
Here’s the thought starter for today’s post. “When you use a camera, not as a machine but as an extension of your heart, You become ONE with your subject.”
If I may make a recommendation based on today’s thought for you as a photographer – it’s to really learn your equipment. Today’s cameras are awesome machines with lots of possibilities and settings. Read your manual. Try all the different settings. Practice. When you are watching TV have your camera with you and practice finding the settings you need by feel. When you are on the bus or the plane practice setting the camera for different situations without looking at the camera. The better and faster you can set your camera for different situations the less you need to think about it the more in touch you’ll be with your chosen subject. Practice every time you get a spare moment and try to keep your camera with you all the time so when you see a new or interesting lighting situation you can capture it and see if your eye matches what you thought you were capturing with your camera.
And that my friend will make a huge difference in the images you bring home.
By the way did I mention that you should practice??
Your in Photography, Bob
PS – I’ve been finding that with the micro 4/3rds mirrrorless camera system it is much easier to have a camera with me all the time. My preferred model for everyday use is the Lumix GX7 accompanied by a very small ThinkTank Photo pouch of lenses.
For infrared conversion of my cameras I use LifePixel. Infrared allows you to put an older camera to use and opens up a new time time of day for productive image creation.
Fotopro tripods are well worth checking out. You can learn about the ones I use and recommend by clicking on the Fotopro Tripods link at the top of this page. If you want to see what other tripods might fit your needs check out the Fotopro.com website. Check back with me before you buy as a Fotopro Ambassador I’m able to get you discounted pricing including complementary continental USA shipping for my followers that you won’t find through retail outlets.
Learn Photoshop in a fun environment. Aaron Nace applies the right amount of fun with easy to understand and follow tutorials. Actions and brushes are included with lessons!
Best embroidery ever. Give Queensboro a try, get a $20 instant credit to get started by clicking on the logo! They specialize in great quality custom logo apparel and promotional products with the best customer service.
Platypod has become a great resource for being creative in getting your camera gear easily into unusual places. As an Platypod Pro I get to work/play with the gear even before it comes out. Head over to Platypod, subscribe to the newsletter and you will get special discounts reserved only for subscribers.
