Improvising in Zion

April 10, 2016

Yesterday I had the good fortune to find myself back in southern Utah for a quick journey to Zion National Park. I had been keeping an eye on the weather all last week and was a bit leery of the weekend forecast. Sure enough when my alarm went off at 5am I could hear the pitter patter of rain drops slapping against my hotel room window. It would have been quite easy to turn the alarm off and go back to bed vs driving an hour to Zion, but good photos certainly don't take themselves. Some of my favorite photos have been in inclement weather conditions which can add a sense of drama and besides, blue skies are kinda boring. The morning's adventure could prove to be another great lesson in being flexible and letting the creativity flow. Improv hat on.

So I let my feet hit the floor, quick shower, stopped at the St. George Starbucks (thanks for being open so early) and hit the dark & rainy road northeast toward Zion. I only had about 3 hours to be in the park before I needed head to back to work so time was critical.

The plan was to do the short & easy hike to the Canyon Overlook and be in place for sunrise. After driving through the mile long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, I made it to the overlook just before the sun came up for golden hour, but alas there would be no sun. Only clouds, rain showers and a peculiar but friendly Englishman taking photos. No matter, the view is always gorgeous and I'll certainly be back for more opportunities. After exhausting my creative ideas at the Overlook, I decided to skip some of the park's more famous aspects in favor of going further east toward the Checkerboard Mesa to see what else I could find.

Photo Lego Dude was also disappointed with the clouds - Fuji X-T1 — Photo Lego Dude was also disappointed with the clouds - Fuji X-T1

Once I made my way east I quickly decided to shoot in black and white with my Fuji X-T1. With the drab skies and flat light it would make the photos come alive and enhance the landscape. In deciding to focus on the details of the park vs. trying to shoot epic landscapes in drab conditions my morning went from disappointing to reasonably productive. So don't give up when the weather doesn't seem to cooperate, be flexible, improvise and let the creativity flow!

The roots of this very old fallen tree caught my eye - Fuji X-T1

A little bit of color didn't hurt, I'm sure these flowers popped wide open as soon as the sun came out - Fuji X-T1

Details of the ancient landscape - Fuji X-T1

How to Travel Smart & Cheap

May 5, 2015

Have you always dreamed of seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night as you stroll along the banks of the Seine river? Or how about mountain biking down volcanoes on ancient Maya trails in Guatemala? Have those trips seemed out of reach either due to budget or not knowing where to start planning? Whether you're a new traveler or would like some fresh tips on how to travel smart & cheap, I'd like empty my brain and share some of my tips & secrets on how to get around the world.

Being an airline pilot I'm quite fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and take photos around the world. Through my camera lens & travels I hope to inspire others to get out and see the world. Travel not only opens our eyes and erases stereotypes it also makes for life long memories that are irreplaceable. So aside from my typical posts on sharing my work & photography tips I'd like to change gears for a minute and post some useful info on how to travel smartly and affordably. So YOU can make that trip you've been dreaming of. Since I'm a pilot you might correctly guess that my wife & I pay very little airfare to get around the planet and that enables us of course to do a lot of travel. So while I can't help you with cheap airfare, I have plenty to share about the other aspects of traveling and saving money in order to make your dream trip a reality. So save up (or earn those miles) for that airline ticket and in the meantime I'll help you with the rest!

**Exploring Ecuador by bike // Olympus Digital**

Learning the Ropes

To start, planning for a trip a abroad can seem like a daunting task but worry not. A little smart planning and research will go a long way in helping your trip go smooth. My wife and I have always traveled independently and have never utilized any sort of travel agent or booking agency. Their fees and itineraries just aren't something we dig or believe most people really need, though a few speciality outfitters do offer some great trips but can come with a big price tag. Utilizing resources such as Lonely Planet, Wikitravel, Trip Advisor, travel forums, friends, family and good old fashioned common sense will help you get by just fine. We always like to learn some basic phrases in the local language as well to aid in getting around and the locals always appreciate the effort (especially Parisians). So using an app such Duolingo or trying out Rosetta Stone wouldn't hurt in that regard.

One of my biggest money saving tips is to travel during the low or off season. While you may not get the best weather, the crowds will be few, the accommodations cheaper and your sanity better for it. We typically travel during the spring and fall (Europe in the winter is great too!) to avoid the crowds and still find good weather for the most part.

Once you get a general idea of where you want to go, I just say 'go'! Yes really, throw caution to the wind (mostly since you've done some research right?) and just go. To quote the famous Warren Miller of ski film lore, "if you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do!" If you've never tried international travel before, I always suggest one of the large European capitals to start as most inhabitants speak fluent english and are used to tourists. Once you've warmed up a bit you can head out to the less traveled parts of the globe and get some truly amazing & unique experiences.

The Sacré Cœur in Paris' Montmartre neighborhood overlooks the city from above // Fuji X-T1 — **The Sacré Cœur in Paris' Montmartre neighborhood overlooks the city from above // Fuji X-T1**

Where & How to Sleep Affordably

My wife and I are long over staying in hostels, save for the occasional private room with perhaps a shared bathroom in the right place. For the most part these days we frequent mid-range locally owned establishments when possible to help keep our costs reasonable and keep the money in the local economy. If you are up for the hostel experience, by all means share a room with other folks and enjoy the experiences hostel stays afford. Other than camping, it is most likely the cheapest stay possible and offers the ability to meet other travelers, swap stories and share tips. As a 30-something married couple we like a bit more comfort these days and seek out nicer amenities. We've stayed in camper vans, hostels, gross hotels, expensive boutique hotels, B&Bs, airport hotels, thatch huts, safari camps, etc. Finding the right place will likely be tailored to your adventure, so my best advice is to not simply revert to one of the big booking sites and blindly choose a brand name hotel. Rather, dig deeper and stay local when you can.

Depending on where you choose to go, my best advice is to stay out from the city center and away from tourist attractions. You can save some big money by simply taking a train or bus (see Getting Around below) to get where you need each day. You'll also benefit from staying nearer where the locals live & work and will experience a bit more of the culture than you otherwise would in the tourist areas. We recently stayed in the Da Costabuurt neighborhood on Amsterdam's west side which saved us some money and had a much more local vibe which we loved.

How do we find our places? A mix of Trip Advisor, WikiTravel, Lonely Planet, knowledge from other globe trotting friends or simply doing an internet search for 'local stay Amsterdam' can yield excellent results. We've also started using the very popular Airbnb service in places such as Sri Lanka, Paris and even Crested Butte here in Colorado. All with great result in the budget, comfort and local flavor category.

**Our camper van otherwise known as 'Rehab' in Queenstown, New Zealand // Nikon D300**

Eating & Nourishment

Aside from hotels, eating is usually one of our larger expenses when we travel. We absolutely love finding local high quality food and will pay a premium at times to enjoy the best a locale has to offer. That said, we are thrifty in this area in between those splurges and find creative ways to keep nourished without breaking the bank. In Italy? Grab some cheap local wine in a plastic jug, a loaf of bread, some prosciutto and cheese from the local market and lunch is had! While I feel like it is a silly endorsement, we do honestly bring Snickers with us to keep those 'diva' moments at bay in between meals. After we've hit a museum for instance they make for nice snacks while we find a worthy place to eat without settling and saves my wife from dealing with Cranky Travel Nick. Which brings me to...

Avoid at all costs eating near big monuments & museums. Without fail, prices will be hefty, the food less than great and the service mediocre. You'll pay a premium for less than memorable food in most cases. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but for the most part avoid the tourist trap places and seek out cheaper & better options away from the action. Sometimes it only takes a few blocks away from the madness to find some true gems that won't break the budget.

Lastly, take advantage of any free breakfast your hotel may offer and buy snacks from whatever local market there is to get you through the day. We typically don't spend much money until dinner time and that meal is usually well worth the wait!

**Dinner waiting to be served in Amoudi Bay, Santorini // Nikon D300**

Getting Around

Once your plane lands, the cost of getting around locally can really add up if you aren't careful. While it's tempting to want to just grab a cab and pay the price to get to your hotel quickly after a long flight, consider using the train, bus or shared rides. A cab fare from the airport in a big European city can cost upwards of 40-50€ (euro) or more, whereas a train or bus ride is much cheaper. For our last trip to Paris the train fare from Charles de Gaulle airport to downtown was only 10€ per person. And you don't have to deal with traffic! It might add a little more stress and research to figure out local transportation, but the savings add up quick!

Aside from getting to and from the airport, local transportation during your trip can obviously add big costs as well. Best advice is to bring your walking shoes, look for multi-ride bus or rail passes and use cabs sparingly. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as Panama City, Panama where cab rides are ridiculously cheap and safer for skipping certain seedier neighborhoods. In most large cities trams, buses and metro rail lines are plentiful & cheap. Being a bit adventurous and trying to utilize the local transportation will help immerse you in the culture and save money.

Braving the rain slicked roads in the Sri Lankan mountain town of Kandy in a tuk-tuk as the driver's Buddha glows // iPhone 5S — **Braving the rain slicked roads in the Sri Lankan mountain town of Kandy in a tuk-tuk as the driver's Buddha glows // iPhone 5S**

Travel Smarter (useful apps)

Since there are a million apps out there, I'll just list a few favorites that we use most often. Since I'm an iPhone guy these apps will be iOS related, but most are cross platform so you should find them on other phones as well.

Trip Advisor City Guide - a downloadable (offline) guide that actually has a lot useful info and has a map that will keep track of your location even when your phone is in airplane mode.
Currency - handy app to check the latest currency data and exchange rates
Airbnb - allows you to search for local stays at good prices that will have that local flavor
Hotel Tonight - for the last minute traveler or emergency stay (missed flight) good deals for same day hotels
Flight Track Pro - great app for planning and knowing which airlines serve certain destinations, also has departure boards
WikiTravel - a free and expansive resource on travel destinations
Transit - a newer app that is building a worldwide database of local bus & train lines, good experience so far using it
Skype - cheap calls or free if the other person has Skype too!

While I'm on the subject of technology, if you don't have a data plan that covers other countries leave your phone in airplane mode! Data usage costs can be astronomical if used abroad. Instead, stop by a cafe and use wifi when needed or connect in your hotel. A lot of mapping apps will still know your location based on your last connection. So that little blue dot can know where you are even when you're not connected. A little 'big brother', but can come in handy if you are lost in the back alleys of Istanbul for instance.

Nap time in the back alleys of Istanbul, Turkey // Nikon D300 — **Nap time in the back alleys of Istanbul, Turkey // Nikon D300**

Spend Wisely

One mistake a lot of travelers seem to make is to want to spend big bucks on all kinds crazy expensive activities. While these can be fun (who doesn't want to bungee jump or power boat up the river in Queenstown, New Zealand) they can really add to the cost of your trip. I'll suggest to do activities on the cheap such as hiking, renting bikes, use free hotel amenities (bikes, kayaks, snorkels, etc.) and focus on one or two activities that you really want to do if the budget is tight. Museums and other attractions can add costs as well, so choose wisely and don't get caught in the trap of trying to do too much at once. Slowing down and enjoying your trip vs. running like mad to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre (guilty) will pay dividends for your peace of mind and pocketbook. Paris will always be there and who knows, perhaps you'll be back to explore more once you're hooked on this travel thing.

Unless you've budgeted money for shopping, don't purchase lots of things you didn't plan to and don't forget you somehow have to get all that stuff back home! We don't buy many things when we travel for both budget and packing reasons. Most of our purchases will be limited to small items from local artisans as you can find many of the same things all over the world. Look for those unique items made locally that will easily pack in your suitcase.

Be sure to check with your bank before you leave as foreign transaction fees and ATM withdrawal fees can add up. There are several good credit cards and banks out there that don't charge for such things. The folks over at NerdWallet have some good data to share if you need help researching a new card. We don't worry about bringing travel cheques (a thing of the past) but rather simply withdraw money locally as needed. Just be sure to research where ATMs are if you travel to remote locations and plan ahead.

Lastly be sure to let your bank know where & when you'll be traveling. That way your cards don't get shut off while abroad. It's also a good idea to bring two different types of cards, MasterCard and Visa for instance as some places may only accept one over the other.

**Zebras during 'rush hour' in Madikwe, South Africa // Nikon D40X**

Just 'GO'!

Yep, just go. Stop thinking about it and make it happen. I hope you've found this little guide handy and inspiring without being too overwhelming. Stepping out of our routines and experiencing other cultures can seem daunting at first but you'll be rewarded with amazing experiences along with a new outlook on the world that just might keep you on the move. And of course, don't forget your camera! Check back soon for a fresh article on travel friendly camera recommendations to capture those new adventures. So do you have the travel itch now? Scratch it, go see the world and capture your own travel photos for your friends & family to see!

**Yours truly and the better half kayaking in New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park // Nikon D300**

Paris, two primes and the Fuji X-T1

March 9, 2015

Imagine walking the streets of Paris, or any other city for that matter, with a light weight & compact camera system that is both subtle in looks and impressive in performance. Imagine being able to smartly & quickly change settings, blend in to the crowd and get the results you want. What does this camera look like? I'll cut right to the chase and state it's the Fuji X-T1.

Having recently switched from shooting Nikon DSLRs to Fuji mirrorless I was admittedly somewhat apprehensive taking a photo intensive trip without my trusty DSLR. I'd grown quite accustomed to shooting Nikon for nearly 10 years and wasn't quite comfortable yet with the X-T1 before hopping on our flight to Paris. This trip would be an excellent opportunity to both further my familiarity with the X-T1 and determine if it really is a replacement of the tried & true DSLR. I brought along two prime lenses, the Fuji XF 23mm f/1.4 and the Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 for going wide. The simplicity and sharpness of shooting with only prime lenses would prove to be a great test of the camera's abilities.

There are several good reviews out there for the Fuji X-T1 so I won't spend time rehashing what you may have read already, listing boring specs or worry about pixel peeping. Instead I'll focus on what my main concerns are for real life shooting, favorite features and whether or not the X-T1 qualifies as 'professional' in my book. And perhaps more importantly, is it really the DSLR killer?

Handling & Aesthetics

Much of the hoopla and draw to the X-T1 has been its retro styling and more importantly its light weight, small size, and ease of use (actual dials on the outside!). The more rational side of a photographer of course should fancy the latter bit of qualities but I'm a sucker for good aesthetics and design. I must admit when I first got my hands on the X-T1 it was love at first sight. The mixture of superb design, metal body, and thoughtful use of the various metal dials felt like pure picture making magic in my hands.

It really is a beauty - iPhone 5S — **It really is a beauty - iPhone 5S**

From the ISO dial to the comfy grip to the programmable function buttons this camera invites the user to be confident and just take good photos. All this without the need to dig into complex menus for various settings which you hardly ever use.

Flippy Screen

Granted the 'flippy screen' has a technical name of 'tilting LCD', but I still like referring to it as the former. I was admittedly apprehensive and thought the flippy screen was a bit of a gimmick that was more deserving of a cheaper camera not of a pro-caliber camera. Well, I was wrong. The ability to rotate the LCD screen and use live view whether you are lifting the camera up high or down low to compose a shot is actually quite handy. Beyond handy actually, I'll call it superbly useful. Gone are the days of having to lie in a mud puddle to get that fresh perspective or grasping to a fence to get a better view and hoping you get the shot. Simply rotate the LCD screen the desired direction, frame your shot and take the picture. While not earth shattering or always useful I have really enjoyed using this feature.

Image Quality & Performance

The ability (or lack thereof) of the Fuji X-T1 to keep up with traditional DSLRs was one of my biggest questions going into this transition. Could it replace a Nikon or Canon DSLR (full frame or APS-C) for my style of shooting? Like many before me, my journey of learning who I am as a photographer has spanned many genres of making photos. I've shot cycling races, various action sports, weddings, portraits, landscapes, travel etc. Nowadays I fancy myself a pretty decent landscape & travel photographer that is focused and ready to make good on my past experience. So does the X-T1 meet the criteria I need?

**Music in the Metro | Fuji X-T1, XF 23mm**

In short, yes. The ISO performance is nothing short of amazing up to 6400 (who really needs more?). The RAW files have the detail and depth I need to push & pull shadows/highlights or print big. The in camera JPEGs (when exposed properly) are simply amazing straight out of the camera. I no longer have any reservations and image quality and overall performance for my needs. Professional level indeed.

Weather Sealing

I'll keep this section short, but the fact this this camera is so very well sealed is a nod to Fuji's engineers & attention to detail. Combine this with one of the Fuji weather sealed lenses and you can operate in some gnarly conditions without worrying too much about ruining your gear. This camera is apparently so well sealed that projects such as shooting in the Oneonta Gorge in Oregon could be done quite comfortably. I wouldn't dunk it or shoot in a heavy rain storm but it should hold up well in most situations.

WIFI Connectivity

Along with the the aforementioned 'flippy screen' I wondered why or when I might utilize such a feature before trying it out. Turns out, it is darn handy. Fuji's iOS app is well thought out with the ability to remotely capture pictures and change multiple settings with ease. I do wish that it could function in bulb mode, though that should be a fairly easy software/firmware update down the road. Otherwise I can imagine myself working on a new set of street candids while operating the shutter from my phone vs. being behind the camera itself. Not to mention you can wirelessly transfer images from the camera to your mobile device to quickly share on whatever social media platform you choose.

A pleasant picture of a Mini taken with my 'mini' X-T1, assisted by using the in-camera level grid - XF 23mm — **A pleasant picture of a Mini taken with my 'mini' X-T1, assisted by using the in-camera level grid - XF 23mm**

Nitpicks/Wishlist

As you can likely surmise to this point, I'm a fan of this camera. Yet I do need to point out a few flaws that should be addressed in the next flagship iteration:

The D-pad on the back of the camera honestly sucks. Others have pointed this out and I agree. The buttons are too small and not easy to utilize. Especially with gloves on. I haven't used the X-100T but from what I hear Fuji should have stuck with that setup. Why they changed it I have no idea.
The sensor. To this point I'm impressed and ecstatic on the performance Fuji has squeezed out of a 16MP crop sensor. Though I wouldn't complain about more performance to be honest. Fuji is rumored to be working on pushing the X-Trans sensor to higher performance while not necessarily going full frame. I'm ok with this, in fact excited that Fuji isn't resting on their laurels and not caught up in full frame mania.
Autofocus is actually very good, though it remains a bit below top end DSLR performance. If you are shooting sports or weddings you might still want a DSLR setup though several working pros are having great success with the X-T1 in these areas. All of my sports shooting now is geared more toward environmental type shots where the athlete is a part of the scene and not dominant in the frame therefore I don't need hyper-speed focusing. Simply using pre-focus is always an option with X-T1 if you are having trouble shooting fast moving subjects.
Battery life is fairly short, but simply carry an extra battery or two and you should be set for most daily shoots. I do hope Fuji refines the battery meter at some point as once it starts to go downhill you get little warning.

View from the Sacré-Cœur of the Eiffel Tower | Fuji X-T1, 12mm Rokinon — **View from the Sacré-Cœur of the Eiffel Tower | Fuji X-T1, 12mm Rokinon**

**The small stature of the X-T1 helped me look like a hapless tourist more so than a 'photographer' to capture this candid shot. Fuji X-T1, XF 23mm**

**Charlie Hebdo | Fuji XT-1, Rokinon 12mm**

Final Thoughts

So it the DSLR killer as I'd hoped? Mostly yes and just a wee bit of no.

Yes, to the point that for my needs & desires it fits the bill and then some. For landscape, street and travel photography I have yet to feel I need 'more' camera. Sure, higher megapixels on a full frame could help in printing huge images but few working photographers actually need such a thing. My own work consists of images for magazines, printed fine art and digital media. You can easily push a Fuji RAW file to over 50MB for some impressive viewing results & sharpness if needed. There are many other goodies that I didn't cover such as the Q menu, film simulation modes, countdown timer for long exposures, amazing EVF, phenomenal auto white balance, the list goes on.

No, to the point that it wouldn't quite be my go to camera for shooting sports on the sidelines or working a big bike race. Also Fuji's lens lineup isn't quite 'mature' yet though it's getting very close. Once the XF100-400mm and XF120mm Macro come out later this year the lineup will nearly be complete for most professional and amateur photographers alike.

If you've been hesitating to make the switch to the X-T1 or purchase one to supplement your DSLR setup, hesitate no longer. You might even find your DSLR spends more time on the shelf than you ever thought possible. Professional level indeed.

Sri Lanka

July 22, 2014

My wife and I recently had the opportunity and good fortune to string a few weeks off together to go on a serious walkabout and travel about as far away from home as we could from Colorado and set off to explore Sri Lanka. It was a wonderful journey with amazing food, people, stunning views, crazy tuk-tuk rides, monkeys running on the roof & of course hours of riding the rails. So here is brief photo essay of our journey, please enjoy!