Across the street from King's Beach in Swampscott at G Bar & Kitchen. Gregg Brackman has become well known for the dishes he serves. Here's a sneak peak from new photos being created for his website.
Although there's nothing like a completely manually focusing camera (with an almost non-existent menu system—my Leica M9), it finally became clear to me that I couldn't afford to grow within a Leica system. For a couple of weeks I borrowed a Fuji Xpro1 from the Smithsonian artist Rick Ashley (http://notrickashley.com) and forced myself to learn many of the features it has to offer and see if I could make the switch from Leica to Fuji once the new model was available. Luckily I found out quickly what makes the Xpro2 system unique to the mirrorless cameras: the option between a an optical viewfinder (OVF) and an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Try as I will, I can't stand looking at the world through an EVF. This has automatically ruled out other mirrorless cameras such as Sony, Olympus, and even other Fuji cameras like the XT1. The camera has filled in the exact same spots I used the Leica for: it's always on me picking up the kids, taking the dog for a walk, getting groceries, etc.. In addition, because of its intuitive handling and fast autofocus it comes along on newspaper assignments (fits in perfectly with 2 Canon DSLRS), and is also a wonderful fit on portrait shoots when I use the Pentax 645D medium format system.
Living in New England I love the confidence I have with full weather sealing. Walking out the door in a snowstorm? No problem. I love the dual SD card slots: I shoot RAW to one card and JPG (with one of Fuji's wonderful film simulators). The world looks fantastic through the OVF and keeps me as close as possible to the rangefinder experience the Leica gave me. Image quality is dynamic and very close to a full frame sensor output. Things they could improve? The diopter seems to be easily thrown out of whack and so does the exposure compensation dial. I like the ISO control but it's a little tricky to dial if you are moving fast. I would also love to see them offer lenses like the 16 1.4 as a 16f2 to keep the lenses small. Where would I like to see Fuji go with their next incarnation of this camera? Not sure right now; I'm too busy enjoying a camera that feels intuitive and definitely encourages me to do what I like most: take photos! #fujixpro2 #fuji35f2
Blogging allows me
Photographing the band started on an incredibly windy evening on Willow street filled by rush hour traffic in Lynn; moving to Buchanan Cafe on the corner of Western & Easter Avenue (special thanks to Chuck and Sophia).
Jean-Jacques on a snowy Marblehead street
Here are some amazing musicians who came to Aruba and stayed here to live and work. David, Jonathan, and Lester are from as close as Colombia and as far away as Pennsylvania.
Jim, an arborist, got Dakota as a rescue dog after Hurricane Katrina. Jim's passion for all plant life is fascinating, as are the many details I learned about his other passions.
On a very quiet January day I stumbled upon this Summer Camp on a side street in Salem. There's something overwhelmingly calming about a camp devoid of activity on a cold crisp January day . . .
On the first day of the new year I met Dachmon on a side street in Marblehead.
Lucky to meet Cooper, Dolly, & Scott
& Robert
Some outtakes from a recent assignment for North Shore Magazine in Lowell . . .
Today I got the opportunity to take a portrait of the artist Gerald Hayes at his studio in Marblehead.
With the beautiful soft light of December I started on a series of portraits of the many different people who frequent the trail systems of Massachusetts. I intend to explore this slowly over the years . . . thanks to Mark & Oscar, Karen, and Harry for their time.
A late fall visit with Jon -- a visit long overdue . . .
Here is my ongoing exploration of High School Football--on a very mild Thanksgiving Day at the Marblehead vs Swampscott
Some portraits of a wonderful singer/songwriter, Matt Minigell
Today as the sun was rising I got some time to take a portrait of Mike, the owner of Marblehead Lobster Company which has probably one of the greatest locations of any business I've ever been to.
This is the beginning of a new series exploring High School Football . . .
On Ryan's lobster boat before sunrise with Brandon on a dock in Beverly
I spent an amazing morning (before the rain set in) at Suffolk Downs the day before the races. Here is Pearl with Bride Way Bay, George, Lorah, Bobby, and Pancho.
