Packing for Bridgeport

I'm heading to the Eastern Sierra on a scouting mission.

Bridgeport will be our headquarters during the June 2015 Photography Workshop for Bodie and Mono Lake. I love this area, and Bridgeport is a wonderful place to hang my hat for a night while exploring the rugged terrain of the High Plains. 

Fortunately, the Quaking Aspens still have color right now. So I'll be able to capture a few photographs, find a good homebase for our event, and breath some clean air.

I have a room reserved at the Bridgeport Inn. It's one of those places where you wish the walls could talk. It was built in the late 1800s and has hosted adventurers, fisherman, hikers, and those seeking their fortune in the silver mines of Bodie.  I've never slept there before. Who knows what I'll encounter.

At the moment, the Bridgeport Inn is my leading contender for workshop headquarters in June. But I'm not going to make a final decision until I spend a few nights there. I'll also scout locations for our photo shoots, and of course, test places to eat. 

This is the part of my job that I love. Having the freedom to go off and see something beautiful, then figure out how to share it with others. 

I'll finish packing my rucksack this morning, record the podcast for the week, then hit the road.  I'm traveling light, of course. I'm taking the Olympus OM-D E-M 10, a couple lenses, the iPad mini, and a pocket camera. That's all I need -

Oh, except for the camping stove and some French Roast. 

I love the taste of coffee 

at 6000 feet. 

-Derrick

Wish Upon a Blood Moon

I had already decided that I wasn't going to photograph last night's lunar eclipse.

I just wanted to enjoy it. And who knows if I were to see anything, anyway.

So as I went to bed, I told my internal clock to wake me at 3:30 am so I could poke my head outside. It was closer to 4 when I opened my eyes. At first I wasn't sure why. Then I remembered.

The blood moon.

Theresa woke up too. She looked at me inquisitively.

"The eclipse," I whispered. "Come see it with me."

I put a blanket around her shoulders and we ventured out back. There it was, hanging in the west. Beautiful.

The air was clean, revealing a sky filled with jewels. The veiled moon dimming her beacon, allowing the stars to cast their light. 

We stood silently.

At 4 am that morning, I loved my life, my family, and the creator of such magnificent moments. The experience lasted only minutes. I'll remember them forever.

I was half naked. Cold was setting in. We shuffled back inside and upstairs to the warm bed. Heaven.

Normally, I would have cast a wish up that blood moon. But not that night. Because, as I stood there, eyes upward into the sky, I knew that I had everything

that meant anything

to me.

-Derrick

Cameras for Kids

I receive a lot of mail asking for camera recommendations for young adults.

On one level, it's like asking me what car to buy. There are so many factors involved, it's difficult  to formulate a generic answer. But I've learned that people want answers, so I've come up with some basic responses.

Generally speaking...

First, you have to consider how kids work. They are connected and often in a hurry. I have two teenage sons. I know this. So the first thing I recommend is a camera that can talk to their devices. Put WiFi on the list.

Next, I like system cameras over fixed lens compacts. A system camera can grow with the photographer. I typically recommend a mirrorless body with a kit lens and a second optic that suits their style. A long lens for action photographers, bright prime for existing light artists, etc.

The push-back I often get is, "I don't want to spend too much." Then you should encourage your child to pursue another hobby. On average, figure $750 to get started. Yes, that's a lot of money.

My parents bought my first camera when I was 11 years old. If they were to calculate their return on investment, I'm sure they would be thrilled.

Not every kid with a camera becomes a successful photographer. But the pursuit of that craft may lead to benefits yet unimagined.

Generally speaking...

I'll take that risk.

-Derrick

New Items in the Nimble Store

The dexterous elves have been busy.

We have four new items in The Nimble Store:

Nimble Fingerless Gloves ($12.99) - For those brisk morning shoots. 

Dual Function Nimble Stylus Pen ($3.95) - Perfect for using your iPad while dining in a restaurant.

Classic Lowepro Z10 Pouch ($6.95) - One of the first designed by Lowepro over a decade ago, and perfect for your mirrorless lenses.

New Walking Man Cap Putty/Navy Combo ($26.95) - The latest edition to our cap collection is ideal for warmer weather with its light-colored material and stylish navy bill.

Plus, we've lowered shipping rates to make our quality items as affordable as possible.

Hope you have a chance to come by to peruse our growing selection of nimble products.

(We're having a blast with this...)

-Derrick

Top 10 (Plus 3) Cameras for Traveling Photographers

The world is catching up to us, even National Geographic.

I just read the article, Top 10 Compact Cameras for Travelers on NationalGeographic.com, and the list included much of the gear that we've been working with for some time. Some of my favorites on the list include the Fujifilm X-T1, Olympus OM-D E-M1, and the Sony Alpha a7 - all great cameras.

This list is meaningful for a few reasons. First, it's a stamp of approval for non-DSLR cameras. We didn't need this affirmation, but there are many photographers still on the fence about mirrorless bodies. This will help assure them that those cameras are worthy of serious work.

Beyond that, however, this list implies that you don't need a full frame sensor to produce amazing photographs. Yes, the Sony Alpha is full frame, but the other entries are Micro Four Thirds, APS-C, and in a couple cases, even smaller than those two.

For me, however, there are three more entries that I think should be considered. Here are my additions.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 ($649) - This body has most of the important features that an enthusiast would want, but at about half the price of the flagship OM-D E-M1 mentioned in the National Geo article. You do give up weather sealing, however. So if you plan on soggy adventures, you might want to look at the OM-D E-M5 as the other alternative. Otherwise, this body is a steal.

Panasonic LUMIX LX100 16.8 MP compact camera ($899) - Panasonic took a well-established, refined compact camera, and figured out how to replace its smallish sensor with a hefty Micro Four Thirds chip. Plus, you get an excellent Leica zoom. If you don't want to carry extra lenses, this could be your answer.

Canon PowerShot G7 X compact camera ($699) - Canon tries its hand at the 1" sensor compact, and seems to have created a wonderful little camera for the traveler. The G7 X features a f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T), 4.2x optical zoom (24mm-100mm), flip-up touch-screen LCD, and 20MPs of resolution. I think it's going to be popular with discriminating shooters.

All of these cameras have a high nimbleosity rating, and will serve the enthusiast photographer very well...

Even when not on assignment for National Geographic.

-Derrick