Long Exposures

One of the most interesting techniques in photography is to leave the shutter open and see what happens.

Generally speaking, this is not a midday activity, which is part of the reason why I like it. Long exposures work better when the sun has long passed its zenith, or has disappeared all together. Early morning, twilight, moonlight, overcast, indoors... these are great long exposure situations. 

I've been using a feature on my Olympus OM-D called Live Time for for these situations. I place the camera on a tripod and use my iPhone to control it. This is easy because the OM-D E-M10 has built-in WiFi that talks to the iOS app, Olympus Image Share.  

I line up the composition, activate the shutter release with the iPhone, then watch the image slowly come to life on the iPhone screen. When it looks the way I want, I tap the button again to close the shutter.  And the image is captured.

This is the closest thing I've experienced in digital photography to watching a photograph come to life in a tray of developer. I don't miss the chemical darkroom. But I do miss that moment of magic.

This sensation is amplified with the effect produced by the long exposure. Water becomes a foggy blanket draped across glistening rocks. Moving people dissolve from hard, edgy creatures to translucent ghosts. The world becomes a softer place when framed by long exposures. 

It's not that I despise the harsh light of reality. 

But sometimes I need a break from it. 

-Derrick

Yes, Cuba

On Jan. 17, I fly into Miami in preparation for a second flight to Havana.

Yes, Cuba.

I'm the Photo Guide for an 8-day field trip that includes Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad. We'll be photographing Old Havana’s baroque and neoclassical architecture, its artists and businessmen, and the nightlife made famous by the Buena Vista Social Club.

I'm mentioning this now in case you've ever had designs on visiting Cuba. This field trip is organized by the same folks who I have worked with on many trips all over the world, including my recent photo shoot in Europe.

We'll have a professional bilingual Cuban guide; two tour managers, and myself. The overall group is limited to 26 participants. Once we land in Miami, transportation, housing, and meals are covered. They also arrange for our Cuban visa and health insurance.

If you're interested, you can find out more here.

It's going to be quite an adventure.

-DS

Board Shorts

Packing for Hawaii is the easiest job in the world.

I've had some complicated trips lately. My upcoming adventure to Maui won't be one of them. 

Three pairs of board shorts, 6 T-shirts, 2 button-up colorful Hawaiian shirts, 1 pair of long pants for the obligatory night out at a real restaurant, sun block, aloe, cap, shades, flippers, mask, and snorkel. It the only destination I know of where underwear is optional. (Seriously, who wears boxers in Hawaii?)

Even my technical gear is easier. No laptop. iPad mini, underwater compact camera, mirrorless camera, iPhone, headphones, and lots of music. 

I'll probably spend more time in the pool this year than the ocean. I'm looking forward to further mending my dislocated shoulder. Water seems like the perfect solution.

While in Maui, I'll be posting pictures and sharing anecdotes. But there won't be many travel tips this time around. In fact, there's only one travel tip I can think of: Whatever you do...

Don't miss the plane.

-Derrick

Crazy Intuition

Yesterday was unbelievable, and beyond just the news.

Yes, Apple officially announced that they would no longer be developing Aperture. That's a headline that certainly impacts me, and many in our community. But it's the way that it all unfolded that amazes me.

I woke up around 4 am. This has been my normal waking time since returning from London a few days ago. I stayed in bed for a bit thinking about the day ahead. I call this my checklist exercise.

Out of nowhere, two ideas came to me. First, I need to check-in with my contact at Apple. Don't know why; it's just time to do so. Second, I should write a note to my partner at lynda.com to start a discussion about the new Photos app that will be landing in early 2015. I'd been thinking about it since the WWDC keynote.

About 5 am, I wrote Jim at lynda saying that I'm excited about Photos and that I'd love to do some training on it. I mentioned that I'm going to call Apple later this morning to get the ball rolling. I asked, "Do you want to be in on this?"

Jim replied shortly thereafter, "Yes!"

Around 9am I called Apple. No answer, so I left a voicemail saying that I'd like to chat about photography. About 30 minutes later, I received a call from Apple PR. (Apple PR is the official voice and the safest way for everyone to communicate.)

"We have some background information for you and an official statement."

"Oh, OK."

"There will be no new development of Aperture."

"Oh. Looks like I should get a piece ready for Monday."

"You're probably going to want to post earlier than that."

"OH."

I quickly published the official statement on The Digital Story, then sent a note to Jim at lynda. The rest of the day was consumed with news around Aperture and iPhoto merging into the new Photos app. Friday is normally a slow news day. Not this week.

Hours earlier, at 4 am, I was simply collecting ideas for the day's ToDo list. I really had no measure of their weight. Consciously, I was totally clueless about the day ahead. Subconsciously? Who knows?

Crazy intuition.

-Derrick

My Old Passport

The dreaded month is almost here.

My passport expires in March, 2015. Soon I will have to start the process of applying for a new one.

I don't want to.

This passport has been with me to Mexico, South America, Canada, Iceland, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, China, Japan, and South Korea. It is filled with stamps and visas from all over the world.

When I enter customs, the official has to  flip pages to find an open spot for a new stamp. I like that. I like thinking about my visits to all of those places, the people I've met, and the photos I've taken.

This was the passport in my pocket when I stood at Ground Zero in Nagasaki and thought about all those lives. It was with me at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where I photographed the most impressive opening ceremonies I've ever seen. I had that same passport with me as we navigated the Panama Canal with only inches to spare on each side of the ship.

I don't want to give it up. I don't want a hole punched through my last decade. It should be allowed to live, just as the memories do that are associated with it.

My first stamp in the new passport will most likely be Havana, Cuba this coming January. Not a bad start. 

But I'd much prefer that Havana join my other adventures.

What a blessing it's been to meet all those people.

-Derrick