Purple Mountain Majesty

Along with much of the world we’re experiencing 100+ degree temps in Colorado right now and it’s hard not to think back to cold winter mornings such as this one. This scene came together one early morning at nearby Chautauqua Park in Boulder after a big snow in March 2021.

The day before when it was dumping snow, I noticed the following morning’s forecast was for clearing skies and I immediately checked one my favorite photography apps for some sunrise beta. Sure enough, The Photographer’s Ephemeris handy Skyfire feature was showing a good probability of a colorful sunrise. So I loaded my gear into my bag and set my alarm about an hour before sunrise hoping for a gorgeous morning and was well rewarded.

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Travel Dreaming

I really miss travel. The views, the smells, the jet lag, the food, the uncertainty, the adventure. All of it, good & bad.

This was the scene waking up one gorgeous fall morning on Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. We had slept well in our tiny camper van through the cool night and were glad to see the clouds had parted for this scene to come together. With fresh snow on the mountains and a crisp morning we were ready for another day of adventure.

This has certainly been a challenging year for travel, but we’ll be back. For now hoping you & yours are safe and well. Where would you escape to if you could right now?

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Summer in the Park

Finally made it back to Rocky Mountain National Park last week for a nice hike. Of course, I had to bring along the camera gear as to not miss opportunity. Glad I did!

Love this time of year when the hoards of tourists are starting to go home and the park quiets down. Looking forward to more visits as the fall approaches.

For the camera geeks, details here:

  • Fuji X-T3 w/ 10-24mm lens

  • 10 second exposure at f/8 ISO

  • Lee Big Stopper ND

  • MeFoto tripod, no cable release used internal timer instead

  • Edited in Snapseed & Affinity on my iPad

The Alps, Amsterdam & the Fuji X100T

Awhile back I wrote a post about my search for the 'Ultimate Travel Camera', eventually purchased a camera after much deliberation, lazily never made a follow up post about it and have since purchased yet another camera to replace the first 'ultimate travel' camera. Whew. The long short of it? I purchased a Panasonic Lumix LX10, didn't fall in love with it and decided to go back for my gut instinct of the Fuji X100T.

So here I am a few weeks into owning the X100T and I've been loving every minute of shooting with it. While I won't dwell on the Lumix (I plan a post about my experience with it soon), I just never fully loved shooting with it. It simply stayed in my bag too often and I was rarely inspired to shoot with it. I should've known the Fuji brand would be calling my name and I'm happy it's my new everyday carry. 

This post won't be a 'review' because there a million such things out there to geek out about over specs & pixel peeping. Nope, just some pics and the simple joy of shooting with a very capable compact camera that produces gorgeous images.

The Alps offer nothing less than impressive views.  

Typical scene around Chamonix.  

Made friends with this amiable bar keep over our shared passion for Fuji cameras. Bummed I didn't get him in focus as I was still getting used to handling the X100T. Good to show failures & successes too. Next time.

Wow.

Then it was off to Amsterdam for a few days to let the legs recover before we headed home. I wanted to put the X100T through the paces in an urban environment and one I'm more familiar with. Definitely starting to get used to this thing.

Amsterdam is for...

Locals.

Photo Lego Dude checking out the tulips.

Best way to get around town.

Bikes everywhere.

Haarlem.

Photo Lego Dude approves the design of the X100T. [iPhone X]

Delta Airbus 350 at the gate. Goodbye for now Amsterdam and welcome to the family X100T.