It is November and in Vancouver it usually means short days and lots of rain. It’s not that a little bit of water stops us from taking photos, in fact quite the opposite! We are working on several projects, which we will share with you as they take shape.
We are planning a ten-day trip down the Oregon Coast to San Francisco, California, Death Valley and several small towns in Nevada. As usual we will be travelling with our Fuji X-T1, X100S (maybe X100T), XF 56mm F1.2 and XF 14mm F2.8 lenses. We are hoping to get our hands on a new XF 50-140 F2.8 OIS WR lens but it might turn up too late for this particular trip.
Brian of Iridient Digital just released the 3.0 beta version of its popular Iridient Developer software (you can get it here). For the last few years Iridient Developer has offered the best demosaic solution for Fuji X-Trans RAW files. We have recommended this program in the past and the new version is even better. We really like the new “Vibrance” and “Fill Light” adjustments. There are many new features and you should try this program if you are going after the best detail.
Recently, one of our readers pointed to an article by Peter Bridgwood about Lightroom sharpening settings for X-Trans files. His findings are very similar to ours and indeed a generous use of the Details slider in LR5 works very well with the X-Trans files.
Having said that, I noticed that many, especially new photographers, spend way too much time and effort on technical issues, forgetting what photography is all about. Don’t dwell too much on technicalities but work hard on improving your ways of seeing. That’s what we always strive for.
It was no different when we recently spent one morning in White Rock, British Columbia. Here are our photos taken with the Fuji X-T1 and X100S.
2014 © Olaf & Kasia Sztaba Photography. All rights reserved.
You’d love Bandon, on the Oregon coast.
Russ
Nice, warm pictures and I hope and can’t be wait for the next trip. So have a nice journey
Peter,
Thanks!
Olaf
Suggest stopping by:
Cannon Beach
Silver Falls (Just east of Salem out of the town of Silverton)…well worth the hike! 7 waterfalls.
Scott,
Thank you for your suggestions. We have visited Cannon Beach on several occasions, however, we were not able to capture the place the way we wanted. Maybe we will be lucky this time.
All the best,
Olaf
Sounds like a wonderful trip. If I may offer one suggestion…the Columbia Gorge. Most likely along your way, 30 minutes or so East from Portland, it’s unique.
Charles,
…the Columbia Gorge- definitely! However, we are planning a separate trip to photograph this unique region. What would be the best time of the year to visit? Any tips?
Thank you,
Olaf
I polled photographer friends who live in the area or own property there, “Spring! Wild flowers are awesome and waterfalls are overflowing.” “Fall. Crowds tend to be lighter in October. Fall color all around the gorge is amazing. So much to explore between Hood & Adams.” “Winter. After a snowstorm or in particular after an ice storm. It’s a wonderland.”
So. There you go. You’re welcome.