Tag: Fuji X-Pro2

The Streets of San Francisco – Part Three

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“If you’re alive, you can’t be bored in San Francisco.  If you’re not alive, San Francisco will bring you to life… San Francisco is a world to explore.  It is a place where the heart can go on a delightful adventure.  It is a city in which the spirit can know refreshment every day.”  – William Saroyan

I’m working on this post while sitting on a balcony in Hawaii, looking out over the ocean while I write.  My wife is reading, my daughter is playing and I just finished a photowalk.  Life is good, and it got me thinking…

In the last 12 months I have spent time in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Amsterdam, Paris and now, Hawaii.  A few of these trips have been for family vacation, but most were photography related (either teaching workshops or creating work for upcoming projects).  I’ll be home for a few months now, giving me time to catch up and enjoy springtime in Vancouver and then I’ll be heading back to Paris to teach a street photography workshop in July.

I’m incredibly fortunate for this life  that I lead.  No, that isn’t right.  I am incredibly fortunate for this life that I built.  It was only a few years ago that PTSD, a gift from decades of working as a paramedic, had a hold on me. It was a turning point though, one that set me on my current path that I wouldn’t change for anything.  Now my time is spent shooting, teaching, writing, working with my amazing clients, traveling and perhaps most important of all… ensuring a proper balance of work and time with my family.  I know I am rambling a bit here, but I’m feeling pretty grateful right now and maybe…. just maybe… this post can serve to inspire someone else to make a change they want to make in their own life.

How does this relate to San Francisco?  The photos in this four part series were made on a trip there in January, and I consider a couple of them amongst my best work.  Not all of them, but one or two will go into my portfolio for sure.  I was able to visit this city, and make these photos, because I changed my life.  That’s a pretty cool thing.

So, here is part three in this ongoing series featuring new street work from San Francisco….

To view Part TWO of this Series click here.

To view Part FOUR of this Series click here.

Vignettes of Amsterdam – Part Two

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Last week I published part one of this series, a black and white photo essay from a recent trip to Amsterdam.  Black and white works so well when featuring photography from European cities, because, I think, of their timeless feel and their amazing architecture.

Amsterdam is a vibrant city though, full of life and colour in the late summer and early fall.  This was especially true for the few days I was in town to teach in September: we had beautiful blue skies, warm t-shirt temperatures and the city streets were alive, packed with people enjoying their last few summer days.  Long days in the sunshine were followed by late evening strolls on the cobblestone streets, drinks on a patio and conversations with friends and strangers alike.  Honestly, it would be an injustice to that beautiful city to not also feature a series in colour.

Most of the photographs in this essay were taken with the Fuji X100F, a few with the Fuji X-Pro2 and the 50mm f/2 lens.  All images, except the last one, used the Classic Chrome film simulation, with small adjustments in Lightroom.

I hope you have enjoyed this two part glimpse into life on the streets of Amsterdam.  Up next on the blog:  a new Street Tips article and a new interview coming soon!

Until then,

Ian

Vignettes of Amsterdam – Part One

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For the last few years I have made an annual trip to Amsterdam; sometimes for pleasure, sometimes to teach.  Amsterdam  is a wonderful city to visit, full of amazing landmarks, museums, architecture and history.  It is the Dutch people, however, that I truly love.  As a Canadian, my country and the Netherlands have a special history together and I instantly feel at home as soon as I get off the train.

This past September I was in Amsterdam to teach a workshop and to spend a few days exploring the city with my camera.  On past trips, I have photographed the quintessential Amsterdam landmarks so this time I just wanted to capture life on the streets, those little vignettes you see when you slow down and observe what is happening around you.  As always, Amsterdam did not disappoint.

Most of the photographs in this essay were taken with the Fuji X100F, a few with the Fuji X-Pro2 and the 50mm f/2 lens.  All images used the Acros film simulation, with small adjustments in Lightroom.

I hope you enjoy this peek into life on the streets of Amsterdam.  Part two in this series, coming next week, will feature new  colour work from the same trip.

Until then!

Ian