Pray For Light to Reign
Jackson, Michigan – shot on the Canon M6 and EF-M 32mm f/1.4
Christkindlmarkt
One of my favorite kinds of street photography is to show up in a busy place where a bunch of people are gathered.
It’s probably a dash of event photography, and a splash of being somewhere where you know it’ll be busy.
And ’tis the season, right? So I stopped by St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church’s Christkindlmrkt – a European-style Christmas market with delicious German treats and lots of merriment. I had to do some Christmas shopping, and last year I visited a Christmas market in Ann Arbor and really enjoyed it. This year, I figured it’d be fun to try something new.
Knowing it may get pretty crowded, I brought along my Canon M6 and a few lenses. I snapped on the 22mm, 32mm, and 56mm on each consecutive lap around the church, opening up my aperture as it got darker.
Lots of kids, lots of families, and tons of gifts for Catholics. And all around, the smell of bratwurst on the grill. Perfect.
While the rain melted all the snow, and the temperature was getting warmer, it was still festive enough to feel the Christmas spirit – and enjoy a beer and a brat.
Austin, Texas: Colors
Back to Austin, Texas, and this time, I’m focused on the colors—especially these strong sunset colors that I saw on my walks around town.
I try to embrace black and white photography. I really do. But color speaks to my eye and heart. And when the southern sun sets on these vivid hues? Love it.
What’s funny is most of these photos were taken within a couple of blocks’ distance. I didn’t have to go far to find the good stuff.
Shot on the Canon M6 and EF-M 22mm f/2 lens.
She’s A Beaut
You know what time of year it is.
Time to drive out to the country, pick the best of the best, shake it off, wrap it up, and drive it home to decorate.
It’s Christmas tree time. Red and green time. Fresh air and pine sap scent time.
We finally got some snow time.
Shot on the Canon M6 and EF-M 22mm f/2.
Picking Up a Fallen Star
Spring Arbor, Michigan – shot on the Canon M and the EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 lens.
Austin, Texas: Street Photography
Here’s something I don’t usually do: some street photography around downtown Austin, Texas.
With all my work travels this year, I’ve had the chance to do more of this style of photography: Philadelphia, Mexico City, etc. And even with my recent practice, I still find it hard to do well.
But there’s nothing like practice. Austin’s perfect weather, manageable downtown, and good light all around helped.
One challenge was focal length. Either I wasn’t close enough, or my 22mm and 32mm on the Canon M6 didn’t get me close enough. Another challenge was traffic blocking some key shots.
Still, a good photowalk out and about, exploring the city.
Austin, Texas: Shapes and Shadows
I’ve traveled a lot this year.
On the way to the airport, this time to Austin, Texas, for a conference, I thought, “I’ve used this parking garage an awful lot lately.”
It’s not a bad thing. I love to travel, and these trips have allowed me to try out more street photography than I usually do.
Back home, my pictures are mostly people-less. A city like Austin, though, lets me walk around an urban environment and practice in the streets.
My Austin trip was so inspiring (and warm – it was a perfect 70-80 degrees and sunny in mid-November, much warmer than Michigan) that I went out to shoot every chance I could. That gave me a ton of photos to select, organize, and process.
Consider this the first post in a series of albums from Austin – this time focusing on light/shadow, my usual go-to when out shooting. Look for more traditional street shots, with people, and others from around Austin in the next few weeks.
Shot on the Canon M6 and EF-M 22mm and 32mm lenses.
A Good Case for the Everyday Carry
Ali from One Month Two Cameras discusses her needs and wants for her everyday carry camera—the one you use for just about everything.
For 12 years, that was the Canon M for me. Earlier this year, I upgraded to the Canon M200, but I’ve had second thoughts. And those thoughts came right as Ali’s video went live last week.
Put shortly: she’s on to something…
