Category: photography

Desert Peach

ruminator
The Desert Peach is in full bloom. Shot with Fuji X100vi using the in camera Velvia film simulation. I did some light post-processing using PhotoLab 7.

After a full day of work, yesterday, The Girl and I finally headed out for a hike at Silver Saddle Ranch about 1715h. This is late for us, but the Sun was really warm yesterday and I did not want The Girl to overheat. I noticed some heavy clouds to the south and paused at the rig to check the weather before we left. Light rain was forecast for the next hour.

“I guess we’ll get wet,” I said to The Girl.

Sure enough, as we drove to the upper staging area, the sprinkles started. I made her contain her excitement while I retrieved a packable puffy I keep in the back of the rig. It was not particularly cold, but I knew the light jacket would shed most of the rain.

Prepared, I got her out, grabbed my camera, and we headed out. We had the place to ourselves. No one else wanted to hike in the rain.

The Girl chuffed and sniffed (on lead, of course) as we walked south. I did not really expect any critters, but I simply do not trust her to stay out of trouble.

The rain came a little harder for a bit. She paused to shake now and again, but did not ask to return to the rig. Neither of us minded a little rain to close out the week. The jacket kept me mostly dry.

The Fuji X100vi is waterproof with a filter affixed to the lens. I have had a filter affixed to the lens since I got the camera. I often use a light diffusion filter at night or indoors, but use a UV filter during daylight hours. A diffusion filter can really drop contrast if the sun shines on the glass.

As we neared the end of the hike, the shower passed off to the north and a bit of Sun peeked through the clouds. That lit up the vegetation wonderfully. So, I took advantage of the serendipity (the moment, not The Girl) and paused for a few images. I think some of them are decent.

We then hiked the couple-hundred feet back to the rig and mounted up. I decided to go by DQ for a bite of supper (cheeseburger, fries, and small Blizzard), all of which were shared with The Girl. She was a little grabby with the fries, so I had to correct her.

We then headed back toward the house, with a stop at Costco to refuel the rig. It was a good day. I am grateful.

Life is good.

Purple

ruminator
While working my way over to the Re-Signed site, these purple flowers jumped out at me. Captured with the Fujifilm X100vi and the in-camera Velvia film simulation, with minor adjustments in post.

It was a very cloudy morning here in Carson City, Nevada. But, The Girl and I had to get out for morning walkies and I had a short break between morning meetings. So, we walked one of our local circuits so she (and me) could get a little exercise.

Along the path I came across this flowering tree. With the overcast, the colors really pop. The Velvia film simulation just increases the pop.

So, I paused and made the capture.

We then finished our walk and I made my next meeting. There is another new project for me to work on this year.

I am grateful. Life is so very good.

Daily Image: Stacked

ruminator
Captured on walkies with The Girl. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 at f/4, in-camera Velvia film simulation (factory) with light post.

I had The Girl out Sunday morning (as usual) for exercise. She is recovering and seems to be more like herself every day. I still give her a dose of Carprofen at night because she sometimes seems sore.

This stack of pallets caught my eye (hat tip to Wife) and so I paused to make an image. It being Sunday, there was no traffic at the business nor on the street in this industrial area.

Life is good.

Daily Image: Cherry Blossoms

ruminator
Spring is sprung… Shot with Fuji X-T5 and the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 at about f/5.6 using an in-camera Kodachome 64 film simulation, SOOC.

Just a couple of days ago I noticed the cherry tree at the corner of the block had blossomed. The Girl and I were out on a beautiful Spring morning. I had the Fujifilm X-T5 with the 60mm f/2.4 macro affixed to the camera, just in case. Although the blossoms were bobbing in the breeze, I still managed a couple of nice captures. I like this one the most.

The 60mm lens is something interesting. Although it is a macro lens, it is also good for general photography. It also has character.

Image SOOC using the in-camera Kodachrome 64 film simulation with no post processing.

Daily Image for Tuesday 18 March 2025

ruminator
They were building a new pond at Mason Valley WMA. Shot with Sony A7iii and Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 at about f/8. Light processing with PhotoLab 7.

A couple-three weeks ago The Girl and I were out at Mason Valley WMA for an outing and to play some radio. I am using my weekends to get away from the house when possible. I work from my home office so I spend a lot of time there. It is a mental-health necessity to get away from that environment periodically.

After activating the park, I walked Sera again. For the moment, she is on two walks per day of about ten minutes each but on lead for control.

After our walk, we loaded up and headed for the park exit. Along the way, I noticed some equipment where they (staff or contractor) were excavating another pond. I decided to stop and get out my camera for this trip, a Sony A7iii with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 adapted to the E-Mount. It was far too bright for the fast aperture, but the lens also works well stopped down and I find the f/4–f/8 range to be adequately sharp.

So I walked the area for a few minutes and made a few captures. The Sun felt good and the air was clean. It was a good day.

The Girl was waiting for me when I returned.

Life is good.

She wanted to be let out to hunt. She is not ready to be off-lead and running around. So, I got the look. Shot with Sony A7iii and Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 at about f/4. Light processing with PhotoLab 7.

Slide Mountain

ruminator
While walking The Girl up at Washoe Lake SP, I paused to make this capture of the afternoon light on Slide Mountain. There is snow, but not enough for spring flows. We need more. Capture with Fuji X100vi and the standard film simulation, mostly SOOC (slight contrast adjustment).

I had The Girl up at Washoe Lake State Park yesterday for an outing. We walked after arriving about noon, then I setup the Yaesu FT-897D station to play radio for an hour or so. The bands were not very cooperative, but I still made about 30 contacts — more than enough for a POTA activation.

Then I got her out for a second walk. We are rebuilding the tissue around her knee to reinforce it. Her gait is better already and the trick will be to avoid damaging the repair until it is strong enough to handle the stress she puts on herself.

She is an all-in dog. That is my girl!

I made the capture on our second circuit of the field, after I put away the station. I am learning the new Fujifilm X100vi and it is a substantial upgrade from the X100V. I am enjoying it.

Life is good.

Female Mallard

ruminator
I am enjoying the ducks that currently populate the linear parkway. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and Nikkon 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF. Post processing in DXO PhotoLab 7.

Wednesday I got out to walk shortly after noon. I needed some outside time and some Sun. I carried a small camera kit based on the Fujifilm X-T5, the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4, and a Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 EDIF from my inventory. I have been tracking the mallards that are currently populating the linear parkway that I like to walk between Roop and Saliman. I was hopeful for some Sun on the fowl because of the colors and shimmer that they carry.

It was a bit cold with the northerly wind, but I was warm enough moving. I really do not care for the city noise and should have put in my earpods and then them to quiet. But, I did not and dealt with the background noise until I hit the parkway.

Of course, a cloud popped up and blocked the Sun a good portion of my walk. I also should have set the ISO on the camera to 1,000 or so or should have set the shutter speed to 1,000th of a second as many of my captures were not quite sharp. I will get it next time.

Of the lot, this is my favorite capture. I did a little post-processing in PhotoLab 7 to bring the color up a little and sharpen the image just a little. I was not quite getting the hairy eyeball, but I was definitely being watched.

Life is good. I am grateful.

One-Armed Bandit

ruminator
A one-armed bandit, found at the Red Hut Diner in Carson City, Nevada. Shot with Fuji X-E2 and Fujinon 35mm f/2 at f/2.8. Black and white from an in-camera conversion to the Fujifilm Acros film simulation.

As I have written many times, Wife used to tell me “You have a different way of looking at the world…” Long ago I bought a new Argus-Cosina 35mm SLR with the usual fast Nifty-Fifty. Carrying that camera, and reading Foothorap’s book, taught me to see. I had little money, but I had time and the little encouragement from the book (and some solid examples). So I taught myself to look.

After a couple of years paying for processing, a friend taught me to develop my film and I had access to the University club darkroom. Film was not too expensive, so I shot a lot of black and white, processed it, and even printed some frames. I rolled a lot of reusable canisters using bulk film and a daylight loader.

Now, 50-yeas later, I am still looking at the world. Like most of us, I always have a camera at hand — my iPhone. Most of the time I have a real camera at hand, likely the Fujifilm X100V but many times the Fujifilm X-T5.

A couple of Saturdays ago I decided to get breakfast (actually brunch) at the Red Hut. I carried the Fujifilm X-E2, a tiny little camera that matches the Fujinon f/2 lenses well to make a small kit. So I made a few images with the little X-E2 while waiting for my food.

One that I liked better than most was this old slot machine. I am confident it was current technology probably 50-years ago. Now it is a relic, but an interesting relic.

Life is good.

Olympus OM-3

ruminator
This morning I enjoyed a nice mug of Joe and admired the new-to-me Olympus OM-3. Capture with iPhone 13 Pro Max, SOOC.

It has been a day. The weather turned more wintry last night and I woke to a gray day. I made my first mug of the day using my Aeropress and some Peet’s whole bean dark roast. I sat down at the computer to contemplate the day and enjoy my coffee and noticed the new-to-me Olympus OM-3 sitting on my desk. I decided to make an image to celebrate the arrival of one of my grail cameras.

The OM-3 did not sell in large numbers. It has a mechanical shutter, which I think is highly desirable. It has a sophisticated spot metering system that it shares with the OM-4 (electronic shutter) that is very powerful. The camera will average multiple spot readings to produce a proper exposure. There is a bit of a learning curve, but not bad. I have already figured it out.

My sample has some brassing on the edges and a bit of paint loss on the back. Although these cameras are collectible, my sample is user grade and I will use it.

I have a G.Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 lens in my inventory and I affixed that lens to the body. I ran about a half roll of 36-exposure film through it yesterday and need to finish off the roll. I checked the meter with my Minolta spot meter and the camera’s meter is within a half-stop of the Minolta. That is good enough. After I use it for a while I might send it in for a CLA. I might also replace the light seals.

I have a few Olympus lenses in my inventory. Many of the Olympus lenses are very good and the system is very small. I mean diminutive in stature; not a weak system.

It will be fun to put this camera through its paces. I just want some good light.

Yesterday I noticed that my Microsoft Office 365 installation needed to be updated (on my Mac). So I permitted the updater to do the work. On starting Word, I was greeted with “Welcome to Copilot” and I nearly shat myself. I have no desire to permit any AI on my computers, especially Microsoft’s. This seems like an open door to the software scraping my systems for data to feed the AI monster. NO THANK YOU!

And that is not just a “No!” it is a “Hell No!”

I think this might be the last straw. Big Tech seems to be invading everything now and I want nothing to do with it. In texting with my son and my grandson today, I realize that it is highly unlikely that I will neither be able to completely limit my exposure nor completely disconnect from the grid. But, I can take some steps to make me a harder target such that the ‘bots will tackle the easier targets instead of me.

I installed LibreOffice on my Mac this afternoon. After working with it some, I can decide if I can eliminate the Microsoft virus from my Mac. It is bad enough that Apple is asking me to turn on their AI. (I said no.) It also means that I am looking at Linux again as a possible refuge or at least a minimization of my exposure.

So I will set up a Linux computer and start doing some testing. I wonder what photography post-processing applications I can get running under Linux. I guess I will find out.

I remain grateful. Life is good.

At The Red Hut

ruminator
Linda working the floor. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 wide open.

A few days ago I was at the Red Hut Diner in south Carson City for breakfast. I had The Usual and it was quite good. This lady is one of my favorite servers ever. She is so outgoing and so fun. She also makes a good image.

It was a good day. I am grateful. Life is good!