Hey, visitors, it’s that time of year where you are struggling for the right gift to give, right?
Have you considered a photograph? What a great idea!
If you live in Cincinnati, I think you may see a photo or two here or on my Flickr that would look splendid on a wall in your home or business. Send me an email (davidthomas@davidpaulthomas.com) and let’s find (or create) the image for you!
I had the opportunity (read as: paid my $15) to go on a photowalk hosted by Steve Zeinner, a local Cincinnati photographer, Procam Cincinnati, and Stacey Moore from Fujifilm on Saturday Sept. 14, 2019. The carrot on the stick was the chance to use a Fujifilm X-T30 (in my case, equipped with a 16mm prime lens) while walking around downtown Cincinnati, and as a Fuji fan, that (plus a free afternoon, which is unusual) was enough to get me there. We were accompanied by a model, Sara Lee, as we walked and got tips from Steve (and Stacey) about perspective, finding angles, and finding unique spots to shoot.
I have a video on Youtube of the day if that’s any interest… shot with my iPhone, I didn’t test the video capabilities of the Fuji. Several of the photographers have posted shots of Sara on their instagram accounts so that she can grab them and repost them (her account is private, though). So far I’ve seen shots from:
@lee_finn_onajetplane (from Procam) who also posted a group shot of us all!
X-T30, 16mm: f5.6; 1/26; ISO160 jpeg, straight out of the camera (no edits), as are all the rest of the photos.
The camera is easy to use, especially as a Fuji shooter: I was able to help a person or two with a settng or two, but also managed to knock the command dial from single shot (S) to one of the creative settings (ADV) and couldn’t remember how to get it back…even after I had changed it from the multi-shot setting to S when i started the day. LOL
X-T30, 230mm: f6.7; 1/45; ISO800 jpeg, straight out of the camera (no edits). This was with my Fuji XC lens.
We started at PROCAM’s store near Amelia, Ohio, then carpooled down to Fountain Square. We walked a few blocks, with everyone listening to Steve’s ideas, asking Stacey questions, and shooting street, landscape, architecture, Sara, and each other with the Fujifilm X-T30s as well as our own cameras. The small size of the X-T30 makes it a discrete choice for street shooting, as I’m sure you can read and see on lots of blogs and reviews, but it is such a solid, well-made camera, I highly recommend it to anyone that is shopping for a camera that is not a DSLR. Excellent feel and feedback (the shutter click is quite satisfying) and excellent controls. The size was small-ish for my used-to-using-the-larger-X-T1, but the grip that Stacey had on hers solved that minor annoyance. My hands aren’t huge, but big enough to want more to grip.
For me, one of the most important features that separates it from cameras of the same size and market range is the excellent EVF. I still use my X-M1, but one of the many reasons that I bought an X-T1 (used, as I am very budget-conscious) was that it had the EVF that the X-M1 lacks. You can set the diopter with a dial right next to the viewfinder, so I could use it without my glasses getting in the way. The dial is more convenient than the one on my X-T1, I think, even if the EVF is smaller.
The most used controls (Mode dial and shutter speed) are right on top, and the Fn button as well as the touchscreen make settings like ISO easily accessible. I did let the camera do most of the choosing shutter and ISO for the afternoon, to be honest: I used the aperture ring on the lens to make my adjustments and let the camera figure out the rest.
I was pleased that back-button focus was set up the same as my X-T1 (set front switch to M and press the conveniently located AF-L button), and the only focus errors were completely my fault! Ugh. I met some ladies that were taken aback by our posse of photogs, and for fun snapped some shots of them and didn’t hold the back button! Stupid mistake. :)
Fujifilm’s Stacey Moore helping out with the touchscreen menus. You can set it to take a photo when you tap it! X-T30, f4.6; 1/85; ISO400; 56mm
Enough with the jabbering, here are some representative images from the X-T30: some with the 16mm prime, some with one of my lenses (the aforementioned XC 50-230).
Stacey was a joy, here she is gleefully passing out some swag! X-T30, f2.8; 1/30; ISO160; 16mm
Cincinnati’s Fountain Square was hosting yet another event: it’s the town square of Cincinnati. X-T30, f8; 1/40; ISO160; 16mm
X-T30, f8; 1/26; ISO160; 16mm
X-T30, f5.6; 1/20; ISO250; 16mm
Sara had to let me get quite close a few times with the 16mm lens, she was a breeze to work with! That’s Neil Armstrong behind her, of course. X-T30, f3.2; 1/180; ISO160; 16mm
Like I said, she was a pro about it! X-T30, f5.6; 1/28; ISO160; 16mm
X-T30, f6.7; 1/320; ISO1600; 230mm Classic Chrome film simulation, I’m pretty sure. Shot through a plant…
X-T30, f5.6; 1/240; ISO160; 16mm handled the extremes of shadow and sky like a champ!
Steve Zeinner (on the right) patiently waiting for the group to join the guide… X-T30, f6.7; 1/340; ISO1250; 230mm
Steve is a fan of the low perspective shot, as am I. X-T30, f5.6; 1/38; ISO160; 16mm
I liked the leading lines and angles! X-T30, f2.8; 1/1900; ISO160; 16mm
Steve introducing Sara’s first posing spot. X-T30, f2.8; 1/170; ISO160; 16mm
Lastly, here’s a shot of the lintel of the old Cincinnati Enquirer building for a little variety. Thanks for reading!
X-T30, f4.5; 1/75; ISO400; 50mm
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
I always take the camera on vacation, and I also do my social media shooting with an iPhone. This summer, we visited some friends that always vacation in Navarre, Florida and then headed over to WDW (have to use the annual passes, duh).
Navarre Beach is panhandle-pretty, so I was happy to document a few beach shots as well as the Monday morning swim-and-run workout of the lifeguard force. One of the guys told me later that, yep, it’s hard, but he wasn’t too exhausted to work or anything afterwards, he’s used to it! He was also about 22…lol
These are, as usual here on the blog, un-edited, straight out the camera jpegs. I didn’t get the camera out at Disney, I mean, I’ve been there a few times, and I got a new iPhone and all the photos evaporated with the transfer…ugh.
On to the photos…
So, those are all fairly regular snaps, but I did enjoy a few with the buttery 35mm F2 lens that I like so much…
I can’t decide if I like the one with the person and shadow, or just the pool palm tree…
the bokeh….
Yes, the beach is fun!
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
I love instagram, and it frustrates me, too. Like the '“Kodak Picture Spots” at Disney World, certain places seem to get heavy instagram traffic. Case in point, #thenwohiospot.
The hashtag has 1700 posts as of this writing, pretty good for a small grove of trees in an Ohio park. It is, in fact, a fairly small grove of trees, right next to a main road in the park, as I discovered the other day when I was in Toledo for work. I passed it by once, although I spied a few bearded photo dudes by their cars as I said to myself “look at that nice stand of trees, there.” I found a different place to park and walk and shot some other trees with my phone and camera, as it’s a nice park with a lake and trails… a guy on a bike asked me for directions, which was funny as it was my first time there!
These are all unedited, which for a photography site is a mortal sin, I know, but it’s a combination of iPhone and Fujifilm X-M1 and X-T1 shots, and I just wanted to share! :)
It was a bland, grey day as you can see, so I grabbed a couple of reflection shots to capture something interesting.
So, after a few days, I went back, determined to find “the spot.”
I figured it was where I saw the beardos, and with some internet searching, I confirmed my suspicion.
That’s a horse trail going by (the dotted line). Easy peasy.
Two things that I have as takeaways:
1. It’s pretty.
2. People can’t leave stuff alone. I got some of the large glitter that was littered on video, no photos, but here’s something I think most folks are charmed by, or at least ok with, but not me:
Why do we have to build stuff? Why must we take a cool nature spot and do something to possess it, to leave a human mark? It’s practically graffiti, to me.
It’s still pretty, though.
For all its Instagram popularity, I had my alone time at the Northwest Ohio Spot, and it was nice.
I do have my own “spot,” however. Driving north a year ago, I found a planned grove that is much younger and larger, actually, and I’m not telling where it is! In a few years, it will be even more impressive, I think…
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
I have returned to photography after a multi-year hiatus. I've mentioned this. I purchased a used X-M1 and have been pleased as punch.
Last year, as I began to entertain thoughts of hanging out my shingle for photo work and sales of images, I found a better Fuji camera, an X-T1* at a bargain used after much searching (there is an X-T2* and an X-T3* now, so the earlier model is getting cheaper by the day!).
Why? Control. The X-T1* is in the range of Fuji mirrorless cameras that can operate completely manually if you desire, much like the SLRs of old. I am acquiring better lenses and bought a used prime 35mm* lens as well, which is Water Resistant, much like the X-T1.
Last week, I grabbed both cameras as I headed out to take the youngest to school as it was foggy and I knew there'd be some lingering on the drive home. I had the kit lens from the X-M1*, the XC 16-50* on that camera and the 35* on the X-T1*. (I have the underrated XC 50-230*, but I recently broke the mount and am awaiting the part so I can shoot with that again. It is my favorite lens of the 3!) (now fixed, yay!).
So, the images:
X-M1
Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS
ƒ/8 FL:3.25 mm SS:1/400 ISO:400
X-T1
Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR
ƒ/2 FL:35 mm SS:1/1700 ISO:200
X-M1
Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/9 FL:21.1 mm SS:1/400 ISO:400
X-T1
Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR
ƒ/2 FL:35 mm SS:1/4000 ISO:200
X-M1
Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/8 FL:32.5 mm SS:1/400 ISO:400
X-T1
Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR
ƒ/2 FL:35 mm SS:1/4000 ISO:200
X-M1
Fujifilm X-M1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5 FL:32.5 mm SS:1/85 ISO:400
X-T1
Fujifilm X-T1. XF35mmF2 R WR
ƒ/4 FL:35 mm SS:1/160 ISO:200
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
The Concours d’Elegance is quite the show. I admit that there are plenty of cars that aren’t to my taste, but this year’s theme was Porsche, and I like, oh yes, I like!
A lineup to drool over.
Roofrack awesomeness.
It’s not all Porsches, to be sure….
I admit to being a bit of a car guy, a dabbler, if you will, so this isn’t an all-day thing for me: a few hours and I’ve taken enough photos and talked enough car talk, but the cars are fantastic.
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
Work has me traveling (not far!) to another not-so-bustling location: Springfield!
One of the most recognizable buildings is the old City Building, which is now a Heritage Center for the county.
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5 FL:50mm SS:1/120 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:16 mm SS:1/4 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:45.2 mm SS:1/320 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:50 mm SS:1/750 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.0 FL:25.6 mm SS:1/220 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.6 FL:50 mm SS:1/450 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.0 FL:16 mm SS:1/160 ISO:200
One of the things I've noticed is the several ghost signs around the downtown core:
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.6 FL:113.8mm SS:1/27 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/6.7 FL:230mm SS:1/38 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/160 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/140 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/100 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:63.2mm SS:1/110 ISO:200
A few churches dominate some views....
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/6.2 FL:161.8mm SS:1/56 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.6 FL:107.3mm SS:1/210 ISO:200
And while there is some clear decay still visible,
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.3 FL:37.1mm SS:1/400 ISO:200
They have made some nice spots as some renewal is taking place.
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/52 ISO:200
One thing that makes Springfield unique is the old National Road, the first federally-funded "highway" which ended here for about 10 years when funding ran into problems (as can happen, amiright?). It was extended further west, but that decade helped Springfield immensely. I won't bore you with the stories here, as there are links in that Wiki article I linked above, but one bit of interest I learned from some locals is that this statue,
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/4000 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/100 ISO:200
Fujifilm X-T1. XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II.
ƒ/5.0 FL:50mm SS:1/300 ISO:200
The Madonna of the Trail, was moved from just outside of downtown along US 40 to this location with much fanfare (and controversy, as the current park-like setting was not even started when they moved her) to what may have been a more accurate original location. Maybe.
There were 12 of these statues placed along the route, here's a link to info about that.
East towards Columbus, there is a tavern that is on the National Register of Historic Places, the Red Brick Tavern, which dates back to the glory days of the National Road.
Fujifilm X-T1. XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS.
ƒ/5.0 FL:32.5 mm SS:1/180 ISO:200
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
Rothenburg ob der Tauber has a fascinating history for sure, and if you are a fan of Rick Steve's as-seen-on-PBS travels, you know that he is a fan of this completely walled medieval city located on Germany's so-called Romantic Road in the Franconia region of German Bavaria. However, you won't find it on many of the "best-most-whatever-walled city" lists populating the web.
The rampart from near the southern gate.
Why?
I have no idea, but maybe because its history is checkered with one really glaring modern sin: it expelled all its Jewish citizens in 1938 and became used as a propaganda tool for the Nazis as a kind of "perfect German town."
Sunset hits the clock tower (Siebersturm) straddling Spitalgasse.
It was also famously saved because of the intervention of U.S. Assistant Secretary of War John J. McCloy, whose mother had visited as a tourist and had a depiction of the town hanging in their home during his childhood (according to the Night Watchman, Hans Georg Baumgartner, on his entertaining tour).
The Night Watchman, Han Georg Baumgartner, reminds his tour to enjoy the sunset view from near the west gate.
He personally called US Army General Jacob L. Devers and halted further bombing. An offer to spare the town in return for a peaceful exit by the Nazi soldiers was accepted and the significant damage was repaired in part because of the international donations that flowed in to this well-established tourist destination.
The Roderbogen Arch and clock tower dominates the view as you walk the Rodergasse toward the Marketplatz.
Indeed, that is the only reason I can imagine it being excluded from any "best-of" lists, as it is lovely. The cobbled streets, tiny alleys, shops, buildings and museums are as charming as one could hope for, and Rothenburg hosts many tourists and visitors each day. Every turn takes you onto a quaint street filled with shops and restaurants, private homes, and a museum or two.
As viewed from the rampart, this is among many beautiful buildings that fill the streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Fantastic views can be had from above.
The wall can be walked via a rampart on the inside for nearly the entire circumference, and the layers of rooftops, mostly terracotta red, lead your eyes to the towers and steeples of Rothenburg's historic buildings.
St. Jakob's steeples dominate the skyline as does the Town Hall bell tower.
The inside of the wall is home to many personalized bricks that commemorate the donations from all over the world that financed the post-war repairs, and the walkway is, while in great condition, not designed for people with mobility issues. If you can manage the stairs up to it, you will be rewarded with some truly marvelous views.
Some of the passages along the rampart are a little tight.
The courtyard at the Hotel Gerberhaus faces the wall.
Outside the walls is a typical German town as well, but a modern rather than medieval one. If you turn you camera outside the walls, you may see a factory or a swingset, or just the wooded surroundings of the Tauber River.
The red roofs are outside the walls as well as inside.
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas
