Enduro Southeast October 2022

So in the vain of trying to write here daily, I didn’t want to miss again so here I am. Currently sitting with Cody around the fire talking all things mountain biking and video. We are currently at a campground in Zirconia North Carolina waiting for the race to start tomorrow. Im not riding but I am shooting the event so today was a practice day. I am exhausted. It’s not even 9pm and I am ready to call it a day. I am not sure how many miles I walked but I know I took well over 1000 photos in only a few hours. The Canon R3 is unreal out here. 30 frames a second.. you heard me correct. Lighting fast. So I am wrapping this up but wanted to keep you in the loop that we are out here. Wishing the entire Tri-Cities Gravity team good luck tomorrow. I am not posting a photo today because I am going to enjoy my time with my friends, around a camp fire with other mountain bikers everywhere!

#endurosoutheast #riderockcreek #rockcreeknc

Trent and Shelby proposal at Calloway Farm

Life is weird right? In the best kind of way of course. I met Trent’s family when his younger sister was graduating high school and her mom messaged to capture the photos. Let me tell you, these are my people. So kind but hilarious and light hearted. So easy to spend time with and a pleasure every time. Let’s fast forward to now. I had the absolute honor of hosting my mini sessions for fall this year at a new venue in Kingsport TN. More about the venue in a separate post I think because I have lots to say.

So in the planing of these sessions I received a text from Trent asking if we could meet to discuss his plans for proposing to his girlfriend Shelby. We decided on a day that worked for us both and met up for coffee at Starbucks to see how I could help him plan and document this pivotal moment.

We were chatting and he was laying out his vision for how he wanted it to happen and the more he told me the more I understood. In our conversation I could plainly see his admiration for Shelby. The respect, the love , and the best friend he had in her was contagious and I knew we had to find a way to make his vision a reality. This was no easy task as he wanted her to be surprised, have her family there to greet her, and get her there dressed for being on camera without knowing it was happening. Long story short I suggested we plan it for the last session of the day at my mini sessions and he said that could work as her brother is a senior this year and we would use that ploy as our cover.

I had planned to visit the venue the Wednesday prior to meet the owners and make a plan for my session so I invited them to join me as well. This was the key to a successful day. We worked with the venue collectively and we had the official plan in place. The rest can be told below via the video I shot before heading out for portraits with them. I would love for you to leave them positive comments here or in the video in the comments itself. Let’s roll the footage!

No one sees your art

I assume you read the title and are either curious how no one could see your art, or your wondering if I have lost my dang mind. Well the latter is always probable but hear me out.

I am not insinuating that your work is less than anything but wonderful but what if we shift our mindset to a place where we just assume, no one will ever see it. How does that thought make you feel? I would love if you paused here and put those thoughts in the comments. I hope others can relate to you and we can encourage one another. Ill get to my thoughts about this toward the end.

So what does it matter if no one see’s our work? What if our LIKES decreased? Does this matter? Why does it matter?  Maybe its the validation we take from those numbers but that also means we feel defeated when those numbers don’t meet our expectations.  The idea of comparison is not new and my ideas on that probably wont be earth shattering but I think we subconsciously see others “succeeding” because their Instagram post has thousands of likes or tons of comments and we want to have those same accomplishments for ourselves. Everyone needs to feel seen on some level and the thought of pouring our time and talents into something, no one ever see’s can feel a little suffocating at times. If not ALL the time.

Ok, so what are my personal thoughts on this idea? Well I think the idea of creating and hoping to spark some level of feeling in others through that work, and thinking I failed is too much to handle. The flip side of this though is relieving because we grow in the uncomfortable times. Vivian Mier is probably a house hold name now and she was a photographer that never shared her work. She didn’t even develop all of the rolls of film she shot. I will not speak to her talent as a photographer but her mindset. I didn’t know her personally so these thoughts are mine based on what I have read and seen but I think she shot for herself, and for the love of photography alone. That is everything. How would your work feel if you only made it for yourself?  What if you didn’t post it to social media immediately? I am not suggesting you not post it but sit with it a little longer than you would usually and really see it. I challenge you to look back at some of your past work that maybe you loved but wasn’t worthy of the Gram and maybe re-edit that and post it. Be vulnerable but ultimately be yourself for yourself because that is the greatest reward.

I personally hope my work makes my clients and viewers feel something. That is the goal for everything I post. I want a reaction. Emotion, a spark of memory, or something deeper.

Thank you for hanging out with me until now, and if you do decide to re edit and re share an image because you saw this and felt inspired, please tag me in it so I can follow along. Maybe we can all use #lettinginart2022

I’m on IG @jeremy.gouge

Twitter @jeremy_gouge

not a great image by any means, but the light vs dark catches my eye.

Your camera is in your way..

I have been a photographer and creator for almost 20 years now and I’m  just now starting to lean into that fact. I am sure I have said it before, but its very common knowledge that us creative types tend to be extremely hard on ourselves regarding our work and even though I continue to struggle with this, I also realize that if I can’t get out of my own way and accept the gifts I have and the work I have devoted to my craft, then no one else will see it either.  This thought process is the reason I am here talking to you today.

This is my ugly mug

Let's start by saying I have recently owned the remarkable Canon R5 and owned the Fuji GFX 50s. Yes the original version in all its “dumps like a truck” large camera body.  In short I also love shooting film and thats one of the reasons the GFX is incredible but thats a video in itself so if you’re interested in my thought process on using that camera in 2022, check out my review of the Mitakon 65mm for the GFX system where I talk more about it. I have owned countless cameras, some more than once and the thing I have come to realize is that it really doesn’t matter what camera or tool you use because it’s getting in your way. I see this happening for a couple of reason’s.

The first reason is G.A.S.- when we constantly wonder what the best camera available to have and convince ourselves that we must have the newest option with the latest and greatest features we start ignoring the cameras we have. Not to say we stop using them or using them well, but we absolutely stop trying to learn the tools we have to the fullest capacity.  What I mean is the tool you have is all you need. I’ll come back to why this is after I mention the second reason that the box we use to make and create with is slowing you down and hindering you from creating the best work yet.

This reason is no matter how much we enjoy learning about the newest ( insert your camera brand here ) we to some degree disregard the option readily available to us and thats what we already have. The key word there is what we already have. It’s the camera sitting on the shelf, in the bag, or maybe its on your desk right now. It is capable. Heck the stuff from our phones are pretty impressive these days so why do we doubt that our cameras are less than them? Don’t get me wrong, there are some reasons and scenarios where our gear cant do a particular task but thats pretty infrequent. If you don’t believe me, spend a minute, 60 seconds, searching #analogphotography on Instagram one day. It is remarkable what people can do with the tools they have even when those tools are from the 70s or 80s.

That’s all I got for this one. Thanks for staying until now. I encourage you to pick up your camera, make something you are proud of and don’t settle for anything less!

Homecoming Queen Kara Lane

What a weekend it has been. A whirlwind of photo shoots, ranging from Watauga Lake in Hampton Tennessee, Marion Virginia, Kingsport Tennessee, and Gate City Virginia. In just 2 days. Im pooped but I love it!! Yesterday was spent driving to Marion, VA to meet my niece Kara. She won homecoming queen the night prior, was attending a dance last night and asked that I drive up to take photos for her. I have a hard time telling her no. Period. I love her tons. She is wonderful and I only wish her and her brother Kyle were around more often but Kyle is serving our country and is currently stationed in Japan. ( I may be a little jealous of that one )

So let’s talk about the photos. I shared a few on last nights entry ( did you see it? ) but these are all for her. Her date joined us as well as seen above. I had the honor of shooting her senior photos a few months ago where I had her all to myself for an afternoon of adventure, traveling, Mcds, and lots of laughing. There was some Drake too but that’s al Kara. We planned her session last night at Hungry Mother State Park which I love. The fall colors where dancing across the water, reflecting from the tress above. I am running on fumes so this one is short and sweet. Photos below :)

Your work doesn't have to be perfect to be great!

I am currently siting by the water at Hungry Mother State Park, in Virginia waiting to meet my niece for some photos before her dance tonight. The drive here from Kingsport was peaceful and left me time to think, and brainstorm for this post. I am trying to write daily, but missed for the second time yesterday as life happens, but because Natasha and I had a date night where we tried Bloom in Bristol for the fist time and it was fantastic. Ok now that you are sort of caught up, let’s get after it.

I recently posted a photo to a group of photographers, on the Facebook and was immediately rewarded by comments of how it was beautiful, but wasn’t exactly in focus.  No offense internet but I know what I am doing, and was aware of it not being completely in focus. BUT- who says it has to be? Who decides what is and is not acceptable in art?  The Short answer is the creator. If you make it, it makes zero difference what others think of it. We are all guilty of hoping our work and what we create resonates with others, but in the search for that common connection we have somehow decided that it’s ok to accepts what others think as truth.

I mean lets take aperture for example. Some people believe that shooting everything wide open, and blowing out all remnants of the scene makes it professional. I love this look too but I also love shooting at f8, f11, sometimes even at f22 but mostly on film. I understand the draw, it removes all distractions, but it also removes the time and effort that goes into choosing the location of the shoot itself if you think about it.  I am not saying one is right or wrong and truly see the benefits of both at times. I bring this up just as an example to open your mind to think differently.

Have you ever seen a photograph in motion, that was blurry and mysterious?  It also leads to interpretation. Shooting anything and expecting it to be perfect every time makes the task much more mundane, and less like the art we want to make and why we picked up a camera in the first place.

I am not suggesting everything should be out of focus. I am not suggesting that you can’t shoot exactly how you want to, and exactly how you see the moment you are trying to capture.

So, take a piece of advise from me, or don’t ( it’s still your call ) but don’t throw a moment away because its not perfect. Do not delete a meaningful image just because it’s not ideal. Moments matter people. More than sharpness, more than color, more than money, and more than fame.

Don’t be afraid to drag your shutter sometime. Dare to include movement via camera pans, or time lapse. No one should decide how and what your work defines.  Take it from a guy who has had to learn that and it didn’t come easy. For years and years I had chased the perfect camera, the perfect lens ( Hello Canon RF glass ) but if everything is perfect, then where is the thought? Where is the emotion? Where is the effort by us to make something unique?

Thanks for continuing to be here. Please swing by the home page and follow me on all the socials.

Here’s to a fantastic Saturday fam!

Why do creators change gear so often, or do they?

Ok this one is for the photo and video peeps. No photos and short and sweet. Why do we often buy and sell gear? I can only speak for myself but it’s a few things for me. I love technology in general so trying new gear is fun. It also inspires me to make new work to test out whatever is new and shiny to me. Then there is the stuff we don’t mention much. I think as artists we are collectively insecure about our work to some degree if we are honest with ourselves. So I think sometimes it’s possible to see the new camera, lens, drone, light, gimbal, and the mist goes in- and think “ if only I had ________ “ then I could make what I want k make. I envy those people who buy a body and learn it fully and make wonderful art with it. I hope to do that going forward and using my GAS- gear acquisition syndrome, to my film cameras instead.

So where do you fall? Interested, inspired, or maybe your in a creative rut at the moment and hope to shake things up? Lemme know

PS I have a YouTube channel. Come

Say hi there please

"The Out of Doors" with Natalie

Man, I am pumped that I am still able to write daily. I know it is still only a few days in, but this is harder than it looks. I do think that it will be beneficial, and maybe even a little therapeutic. Today I want to brag about a young lady that I had the pleasure of meeting because her parents are true MVP’s. Sam and Kate are truly some of the greatest, funniest, most competitive people I have ever met in my life. We don’t even call them friends anymore, they are family. Sam has taking care of one of my boys in the E.R. and since Jaryn knew Sam he knew he was safe and in the best hands possible. Kate and Sam went out of there way multiple times to deliver things to our house when Natasha was at her sickest, cussed me and laughed with us in our years of doing life together via CrossFit and Spartan races. We even had memberships to the same pool. Hell Sam and I were both incapacitated when I tore my achilles and he had to one up me and blow his knee out. I say that because that is how I met their girls, and today I am specifically talking about Natalie! She is a senior ( with bad knees of her own lol ) at Science Hill and truly a joy to spend time with. She loves vintage music, I mean 60s, and 70’s and love what she has aptly names, “The out of doors”.

Since she and I share the love for being outside I offered up some of my favorite outdoor spots, and she quickly chose my favorite.. wanna guess? Carvers Gap! We had a fantastic time laughing, hiking, taking photos, and catching sunset while feeling like we were on top of the world! She truly is one of a kind and man I am so glad to have got to spend this time with her. Getting to know her deeper and seeing her unfiltered and truly herself. I picked her up, so I could see her mom because Sam was out of state and stood our other friend Matt and I up for dinner. LOL Just kidding, he was in OH helping his mother in law who had hurt herself but still, jerk move dude.

Ok, photos, lets go!!

I love senior sessions and portrait sessions in general. I am pumped to share other images soon! What do you wanna see next??

Desert Island Film Camera- and wish list

I should start by breaking down what I mean when I say “desert island’ film camera. This term is one I am borrowing but the film community knows what it means already. For everyone else its the only camera you would bring if stranded on a magical desert island. The only magic the island offers though is unlimited film, and a lab to bring the negatives to life. As of today, I currently own 3 main film cameras with several point and shoots as well but for reference I will make a short list below of what I have had so we know my opinion comes from years of other options.

Pentax 645m, Mamiya 645 AF, Fuji GW690ii ( i regret this one leaving ), Hasselblad 5o0c, & MamiyaFlex TLR as far as medium format cameras go.

Leica M6 TTL, Leica M3, Nikon F3 ( my favorite 35mm yet ), Contax G1, Minolta Dynax5, Minolta Xe7, and the point and shoot collection.

So my current medium format options are both 6x6 format cameras meaning that they shoot square images. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about this but have since fell madly in love with the square crop. Plus they are just beautiful machines to catch light. No batteries, no meters, and no bullshit.

I mean just look at them. Makes me smile every time I pick them up, use them, hear the shutter slap ( talking Hassy here ) and the results! So fulfilling. I do love my choice of 35mm camera as well. Not ever really being a Nikon guy, when I stumbled across a 35mm camera that offered a built in meter, Aperture priority mode, and a removable viewfinder creating a mini waste level finder, well I had to try it. I have never considered selling it and that is saying something if you know me at all. It will be with me forever. Does this mean I have made a decision then?

Well since the mystic island provides the sweet nectar that is film itself, I would be remiss to skip out on the higher image quality that medium format offers so between my 2 beloved options on hand, I would reach for the Hasselblad 500c. I mean its gorgeous, NASA took a Hassy to the moon, and Platon still uses one to photograph some of the most influential people on the planet.

I mean look at those! This camera was first release in 1953 and in production until 1970 so at the very least its 52 years old or it could be between 52 and 69. That breaks my brain a little.

As far as my wish list cameras go- I can only think of 4 that have my attention at the moment.

Pentax 67ii, Mamiya7, Leica m7, and Fujifilm GA645

Now its your turn.. what would you take with you to this island? It can be digital if you must. :)

More difficult than expected

I don’t know if anyone is actually reading these as I go, and that’s both a good and a bad thing. I try very hard to not repeat myself from entry to entry incase by chance someone is taking the time to be here. Taking the time to hear my thoughts as I type them up here for anyone to find. If I knew no one would really ever read them ( good probability ) then I could be less guarded with the thoughts I openly share. When you’re someone like myself, you stay guarded most of if not all of the time. Having to force myself to write daily means I often have to search for topics and sometimes that leads me to uncomfortable ideas. A future topic will be to explain what I mean when I say that I am a 9 but as a 9 I worry much more about others than myself. Combine that with the residual effects of a pretty nasty concussion a few years ago and you are left with a less than ideal person to do life with. I find myself indecisive more often than not, without opinion on most matters, (even if I were completely honest with myself I probably do have a preference but not one worth mentioning ), and often mentally and sadly emotionally checked out, or vacant. I am not proud of this but sometimes I actually see the benefit of letting others in, but also allowing myself to speak freely- even though its much harder than I can express really.

I am not writing this for sympathy, so please don’t read the first paragraph and feel sorry for me. I am working on the things I can control. I am focused on better self care and time for things I enjoy. I spent the entire weekend photographing some of my favorite people and enjoying being there with them and being blessed with the drive to create something special for each of them. Do I always succeed to the level I set for myself, absolutely not and fail at this far more often than not. It has taken me a very long time to understand than no matter how hard I try, how much I try to learn about things I don’t fully understand, or how many hours I edit and re-edit my work that in the end my work is enjoyed. It is cherished by the people that I do life with. It is sought after by those closest in my circle. I think this is two fold if I allow myself to step back and stop being so critical of the work itself, and to see the time, love, and attention that I dedicate to it, are felt and extracted by the people I created it for. That is success. Fame fades, but knowing I am the first person many people consider when they have a moment in this fleeting life, that is important to them will always mean more than fame, wealth, or acknowledgment by the world

I hope someone reads this and understands that we as artists have a wonderful job, an encouraging gift, but more importantly an overwhelming responsibility to document this time, these moments, and to do so now before they are nothing but a faded memory. It means so much more than the return.

Thanks for reading even though this was more about me and my opinion that about pretty photos or sunsets.

Love you guys- whoever you are.

J

How do we recharge as creatives?

Today is day 4 of me trying and wanting to Blog daily. I missed yesterday completely but thats also the topic of this entry so I am giving myself some grace on missing, because of why I missed. I think as creatives we often find ourselves caught up in the “Hustle Culture”- meaning we think the only way to win or succeed is to outwork everyone else. As a very competitive person, this is not something I would shy away from, or have in the past. I love what I do and I dedicate a lot of time and energy to it. Into learning, growing, adapting, & stretching my creative boundaries. One of the problems of living this way and never taking time off is you get burnt out so so quickly. Fall as I mentioned a few posts back, is easily the busiest season for me and most every photographer. Yesterday I had full intentions on going to a local Enduro Mountain Bike race at Tannery Knob to take photographs and see my friends. I had planned this for months actually and had to cancel those plans once ( I thought ) due to a scheduling conflict but that worked itself out leaving me open to go do this one thing that I have wanted to do for a long time. The morning came but instead of packing my gear to head to Johnson City to watch people send it down the Mountian, I packed a different backpack, and chose to spend the day with Natasha, and Atlas. Jaryn and Austin were very much so missed, but they both have jobs now. We decided to head to Bays Mountain for a hike together. To reconnect with nature, to reconnect with each other, and. to look for our Creator everywhere we walked.

So in short, todays topic is “ How do we recharge as creatives?” I am so guilty of my “down time” consisting of spending time on my phone scrolling through Instagram, or Twitter. Tik-Tok is a time portal from having a second to myself, to losing an hour on the app. We have been programmed to want and expect something new constantly. I am referring to our attention spans and our patience. Everyone wants it NOW. Answers now- go ask Google, photos now -take it with your phone and remove yourself from the moment entirely, food now- call GrubHub. I think you see where I am going with this. So what are ways we can stop and recharge our creative brains other than with constant and painful comparisons?

For me this has always been by being active to some degree, and the older I get those activities I prefer all revolve around and in nature. In the wonder and beauty the the Lord has given us to enjoy and to protect. Finding his presence among the tress, in the rivers, hiding in plain sight in the clouds. He is omnipresent and so are his works. I find myself longing for adventure more and more often, to see the Redwoods, to explore Iceland, to see sharks breaching off the southern coast of Africa. Because when I remind my self to sit, and be still and listen I can always find my peace outside of technology which is sadly ironic as I am writing this on my Macbook I suppose. The irony of using a camera to document life for myself and others and also wanting to disconnect is not lost on me, but finding the balance within them is where I find I can reset and reconnect the easiest. I would love to know your thoughts, and if you have ideas as well.

Thanks for being here and remember we all fall short, so give yourself some grace today too!

j

Sweet 16 Session

Life is funny isn’t it? We take jobs where we meet people and unknowingly make life long friends. I am not great at making close friends because of my type 9 personality but I do have a plethora of them. One of the friends ( of many) I made while working for Lowes was Eric. He worked in appliances and I was in delivery. through working together, I have had the pleasure of meeting his family, capture his mother -in-laws wedding, taken photos of their children, and most recently was honored to capture Pasley’s sweet 16 photos as well.

If you read yesterdays entry, you know I hope to write daily but to also be precise and short with my words. I hope the photos bring you joy, inspiration, or encourage you to call your favorite photographer to schedule a session today.

We took these at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee and all images where taken with my favorite camera- My Canon EOS R3

Fall for photographers

I am considering starting a journey to break creative barriers and open myself up to new ideas and concepts. One method of this is to try and write daily. I truly want to be a person who uses a journal and who does so regularly but I have yet to find a system that works for me or holds me accountable. I start this entry saying that so anyone reading this might understand that if this blog seems to seem a little more off the cuff or shorter some days than others, it is only because I hope to stick to the plan and create entries daily for the foreseeable future.

So Fall and photographers seem like the perfect match right? The chill in the air, the crisp fall mornings met with dew covered ground, and pumpkin flavored everything. ( NASTY ) The mountain floors start to become blanketed by the leaves as trees release their grip on their foliage some people travel hours to witness first hand. As if nature is transitioning through a prism, creating magic that only quickly fades to make way for winter.

This transition is one of my favorites of the year as well, and as a photographer this means everyone and I do mean everyone wants to attempt to have photos made while the colors are so full of life and color. The only problem with this is, the window of opportunity is so thin, that we can only accommodate so many clients in this time. Luckily for me, I have found ways to make even the greenest, peak of summer moments, feel like fall when needed. Now I cant help the temperature meet your clothing preference, so if you schedule your session too soon, and you cant live without the entire family in sweaters, and Doc Martins, well you better bring a change of clothes for after. On the same hand, even as the temperature meets the ideal level of chill and sun warmed faces, the leaves transition even quicker now so waiting too long means we as photographers have to become creative.

Any other photographer reading this knows the struggle in which the demand of fall brings, and we joke about this on forums, and Facebook groups. We are also aware that as soon as the leaves are gone, and the snow begins, that our intake of new leads and work also fade looking for the first sign of spring. Not entirely of course but I absolutely wish more people would be as intrigued and also see the beauty in the winter months when leaves are gone, branches reach for the heavens alone of their protection. The simple contrast of the temporary reset or death of nature versus the beauty of connection with my subject inspire me in ways that shooting summer days might not.

So to summarize, pe patient with your favorite photographer in the Fall, we are running at full pace trying to find time to shoot for everyone we come in contact with, but also leave ourselves time to put our whole self into editing those images, and grading those videos for you as well. Not to mention have a life with our families doing the fall actives that we also love and enjoy- I mean Halloween is coming :)

Thanks for being here and Ill be here more often. I hope to see you here but in person as well.

Lets make photos together.

Lilly and Carvers Gap

I had the pleasure of growing up in a small town in Tennessee as most of you reading this know. Growing up in Roan Mountain had its up’s and down’s as I suspect growing up anywhere would. It is still a small place in today’s average of community and being raised there led me to meet some of the most incredible people of my life. Growing up and having the blessing of a deep desire to play sports, and just enough athletic ability to fake it enough to play, and getting to do so with people like my friend Chad “Terry” Guinn is still a favorite memory of mine. Chad was a year younger than me in school but that’s close enough to keep us on the same team, almost our entire stint at Cloudland. I can’t recall which sport it was but it was obvious pretty early on, that Chad was one of the good one’s at the risk of sounding cliche. I bring him up because this post is about his daughter Lilly. I had only had the pleasure of meeting her, when I met the rest of their family when I did their family photos a few years ago. Never did I expect her to show up for her senior session and have such a connection to the camera, to movement, and to knowing exactly who she is. I have said this in the past, but this is the driving reason I love working with Senior’s so much. They are finding out who they are, and I get to have a small part in capturing that time for them, for their family, and for them to have a lifetime.

Lilly is a dancer, and though I have never seen her perform, I am confident she is very good at her craft as you can see in her movement, dancing among the literal clouds on top of Carves Gap, in Roan Mountain. We all know this is my favorite place, and sharing these moments there, with people I enjoy means so much more to me that I know how to express.

Fall is quickly adn thankfully approaching, and this brings the flood of work for those “fall colors'“ so if you like the images I have shared here with you, and you would like to discuss how we can create something for you, now is the time to let me know. Email me and lets start that conversation!

j

Hey, I am still here!

Today is July 28th, 2022 at 8:22pm and I just sat down since being home for over 4 hours. This is my normal pace of late. This is not a complaint as I strive on staying busy, and getting things done as needed but after having my achilles surgery last Feb, I am noticing that these long days are coming at more and more of a cost to me physically. This is hard for someone who has been active for almost 4 decades! This does not mean I am slowing down however, as I’m just as motivated, dedicated and excited to keep pushing and to keep creating. I just wanted to take a moment and re connect with anyone who reads this. I wanted to remind you that I am far from finished! I also wanted to tell myself that. Photography is more than a job to me and the more I explore it fully, the more rewarding it has become. I am a photographer,

Thanks for reading and thanks for being here! If you read this, please let me know where “here” is for you!

New content coming- Please follow me on my socials but I am less active on FB than ever, but ill work on that.

Selfie with my Hasselblad 500c

The Backloaded by HEX Brand

MY FAVORITE CAMERA BAG EVER

I have been a photographer / creator for almost 20 years. In the beginning I was too busy trying to learn what the hell I was doing so what I carried my crap in really didn’t matter. I learned pretty fast though that it did matter. I should start by saying everyone has a different idea of what they need and preferences are like opinions. Everyone has one and you know what they say about opinions. I made a video that tanked a few years ago that all camera bags suck. While sadly this is still true in some part, some things have also changed with me.

I have several bags still and each for a specific purpose. This was part of my problem. I was always looking for one bag to end them all so to speak but once I opened my mind to the possibility that I need several bags to accomplish my goals, well that’s where things shifted. It’s like asking my camera and one lens to do all the things I see in my mind. Not gonna happen. I am not going to go into all the bags I’ve owned. If you are curious, I am happy to share that info but most people are here for todays bag. I will mention the 4 bags I currently own and why BUT the focus is on my newest edition.

I think it’s worthy mentioning that Im a “ bag guy” in all the ways. I have other bags for hiking, EDC, concealed carry but no Fanny packs here LOL. I do own a chest rig from Hill People Gear  but that is not the same. It’s like my knife collection. Each has a place and specific purpose it serves, well mostly. Sometimes I just like that new knife and new bag feeling.

Ok so the bags in my arsenal as of writing this.

For adventures, elopements or multiple day adventure shoots my go to bag is the Atlas Pack.  My youngest sons name is also Atlas so I do not pretend to not be a little biased.

For my video kit I try to keep this mostly to my pelican case.

My last daily backpack is great and is the OneMo by PGYTECH. I still have this but is currently for sale to fund the newest edition.

My go to bag for day trips, or just single camera and mostly film days is my Leather Ona Britton bag because leather is badass and always will be.

The bag we are mostly here to talk about though is my new addition to the collection.  The Backloader by HEX brand.

Things I want in a bag are pretty simple. I carry a laptop or IPad Pro with me everyday so I need storage for this. I also need a bag that holds all my gear but functionally to the way I work and shoot. This is an area where everyone differs. For example I never want a bag with side load options for quick access. That doesn’t work for me.  I do want a bag with a chest strap because some days the load is heavier than others. I need padded shoulder straps , and this is why the Vinta Bag did not work for me. I am a bigger man and need some padding.  I also need a water bottle pocket, and a place for a tripod to attach, even though this is something I use sparingly. Organization is super important to me as well. I love knives, and pens, and tools and need somewhere for them to live.

So how does the HEX Brand Backloader stack up? It’s kicks some ass. Thats how. I picked up the camo version ( I have a problem ) used from FB marketplace because I can’t ever buy a bag new because what if i don’t like it right? Buying used doesn’t hurt the wallet so much and also helps justify trying something I see potential in. So if I hated the bag this would have been much shorter, but I don’t.  I don’t hate it at all. I actually think I love it, and believe it is to date the best camera bag I have ever used or owned. Nothing is perfect so what would I change about this bag if I were a designer? The shoulder straps could be a tad wider and more padded and thats it. I am as “shook” as you are.

I love the fact that it has a front pocket for organizing my chaos. I love that it has a card spot for business cards or airline ID cards. It’s also handy to stash a little cash for emergencies. Hear me now, the laptop storage is sensual. Yep, I said that.  EVERY bag I have owned almost makes accessing my laptop or tablet to be a pain. Even if the placement was dialed in, they all offer similar padding. The Hex bag has a velvety kangaroo style pouch that I love using. It is soft but keeps my M1 MacBook safe. Its also accessible independently under the front flap. This keeps my camera gear in its place with no reason to disturb. The entire bag is customizable for your needs and gear and man it does this so well. This thing holds a ton. Whenever I sell a kidney or hit the lotto and can buy the Leica M11 and lenses I want, I’

ll have room for all the activities in this bag. It looks incredible, did I say its digital camo? So sexy. So how do I use it?

The list of everything I currently carry in this bag everyday.

* GFX 50s

*Mitakon 65 1.4

*MD to GF adapter and Rokkor 50mm 1.8

*GFX Grip

*FujiFilm XH1

*Sigma 18-35

*Fringer EF to XF adapter

*Mitakon Speedmaster 35mm 0.95

*DJI Magic Air 2

*Controller

*Spare battery

*Atmos Shinobi Monitor

All the spare batteries, my memory cards and business cards too. It’s crazy. It holds all of this but is still relatively thin which is a huge plus for me. This is one of my sole complaints with my last bag ( the PGYTECH ) and it is a positive shift in size.

If I had to work with a designer to create a bag with my name on it, it would truly be hard to create something that is this functional, mostly comfortable, and simply badass!

They offer others sizes, and options but for this guy, the Backloader checks way more boxes than it doesn’t.

If you have question’s please let me know in the comments. I am here to help,.

How I shoot black and white photos

Before we get into it, I made a YouTube video about this as well and you can find it below.

Did you know I shoot all of my images in black and white? All of them minus some film stocks I love. I shoot in RAW so the image I edit is in color but I only shoot seeing black and white and I think you should try this too. I have always dreamed of owning a Leica Monochrom MD. No this isn’t a real camera sadly but it combines 2 very important minimalistic concepts. Leica is know for making beautiful everything. They also offer a Monochrom line that only shoots in black and white and they are crazy expensive.  Makes no sense right? To pay exceedingly more for a camera that doesn’t even shoot color. They also make a line called “MD” and these cameras do not offer a screen of any kind. The only way to see your work is to upload them to a device. In my opinion if Leica make this camera in particular ( not that I could ever buy one ) it could be the purest form of digital photography. Yes the xpro3 comes close with its hidden LCD but it also shoots video, and color, and film simulations etc.  Strip it down to the basics and thats my idea for now. 

Let’s start by talking about what I see photography as. I think others will agree that it is simply light, and shadows and how they compliment one another to the fullest. Fan Ho was a remarkable creator known for his use of light and his black and white images. His timing was impeccable but him being available and shooting intentionally truly brings his work to life. He uses light and shadows to tell a story and to frame out important pieces in his story. But why in the world would I or in this case, you shoot only in black and white? 

Color can be distracting. Period.

There maybe a wonderful setting or moment to capture but the purple tricycle in an eyesore. When you shoot in black and white you only see light, shadow, composition, and moments. You remove the distraction of color. Im not saying color is wrong or bad, but it can often get in the way. I recently shot a bright Yellow house on the beach, with bright blue skies, and even shooting it in BW I knew it would be a color image in its final state because of the colors but all I saw in my viewfinder of my Leica Q was the horizon, framing of the shot, and the angle I wanted to take it from. Also when your shooting in black and white you know immediately if it works as a shot or not. There is none of that, I bet I can make that look great in post if I change this or that, because you only see the light and shadows.  I would venture to state that if an image doesn’t move you in BW it will be less impactful in color. 

The great thing about it lastly is you get color RAW files so you dont have to only have BW images but you know already they work as BW right? Any color image you produce then is new and exciting again. I can picture the line “ All i do is win win win no matter what “ playing here because you truly win either way. 

Stick that monochrome filter on and shoot. Overexpose, underexpose, make something you would be proud to blow up and hang for everyone to see.. then do just that! Print it

Jeremy

Mitakon 65mm f1.4 for the Fujifilm GFX system

I think I have to start by stating a few things. First thing first, I didn’t pick up the GFX or this lens to be quick. That’s not how I shoot nor do I plan to use this camera that way. Secondly, I love to shoot film so the manual focus and “speed” or lack there of is a non issue for me. I am very aware that FujiFilm makes incredible lenses to pair with all of their bodies, and yes I am very interested in the GF 110 f2 but when I picked this camera up I started shooting it right away with adapted lenses. My favorite of which is my Mamiya 80mm 1.9 for my 645 system. I also have adapters for my Minolta 58mm 1.2, my Nikon 50 1.8, and a Leica M adapter. I did have the GF 50mm 3.5 and was very impressed by the quality but found myself always reaching for the any of the manual focus options available to me. So being who I am, and knowing how autofocus doesn’t make me a better photographer, nor does it inspire me to shoot, I went looking for a native mount, fast prime for the GFX system. That’s when I found the Mitakon 65mm 1.4 which in full frame terms, is equivalent to 50mm at f1.1! It’s shallow.

I immediately put the combination to work, and all the images below where shot with the GFX paired with the Mitakon lens only. 

My brother - Brandon Watkins- Owner Operator of Freedom Reigns Barber Company

Things I really like-

• The color the lens produces

• Fast wide open aperture

• Native mount

• Manual focus

• It’s sharp when you nail focus

Things I don’t love-

• She’s thick and heavy ( even paired with the wonderful grip of the GFX 50s )

• I don’t always nail focus ( to be expected )

• Focus throw is pretty long

Ok now that we are past that, lets talk about who this lens could be for. Obviously Fuji makes similar focal lengths in there native glass and those have Autofocus but those also cost about twice as much as the Mitakon. So if you have the GFX in any variation and love to shoot at 50mm and like myself love to shoot wide open with lenses that have character then you should really consider this option. It does flare in direct sunlight, it is heavy, and you will be forced to slow down and really SEE your shot. I don’t find those to be shortcomings personally but its worth noting. This lens creates wonderful portraits, but I also love using it for landscapes and detail shots. The files from the GFX are wonderful. Unless you have edited an image yourself, it is impossible to show how great the files are. 

I think we will keep it short and say:

If you love shooting film, love a shallow DOF, like the 50mm focal length, and overlook the weight then its a no brainer to me. 

If you want clinically sharp images, with auto focus and plastic lite build then I appreciate you reading this just as much but you are not going to love this lens like I do. 

Thank you for taking time to read this and if you are would like more information or see me rambling about it more, please check me out on YouTube  HERE

Keep shooting and make something for yourself today. 

J

New Year, New Gear??

What camera are you eyeing for 2022?

As a constant victim of “GAS” I am always curious about the newest, latest, and greatest equipment coming out in the world of photography / videography. Im a nerd about cameras, formats and options. As we all know there is no such thing as a perfect camera. There are some closer than others, but that opinion can be found dissected, discussed, and dismissed on any photo forum on the World Wide Web. It’s the old Canon vs Nikon situation basically, but as we are now in a new year the competition is much closer than times past. I find this both interesting and boring at the same time.  Every camera produced by the major players, is a work of art in itself and therefore we are only limited to our skill, creativity, time allotment, and efforts. If you consider yourself a professional but cant use any camera on the market to create something wonderful then are you really a professional? I completely agree that some ergonomics are better than others ( Im looking at you Sony and your baby sized grips ) and then there is the camera that you started with that you invested time, money, and yourself to learn and use. So much to the point of maybe never even looking at the other brands. You simply keep your head down and do the work. I love that though. This is a monumental reason I adore shooting film so much. Its the polar opposite of what I do for work, and it puts me in a much different space to create. I have shot almost all the brands, and multiple bodies from each. The only brand I have never shot are Hasselblad's. So what’s the point and why am I still reading this? Because your like me perhaps. Maybe you found it by accident but your invested now and your like “ Get to the point already jerk”- I heard that and it hurts LOL but in all seriousness I have never been so confident in my work, and the equipment I have and will use in the future. Sometimes a new piece of equipment , regardless of who's label is on it, will undoubtedly grab my attention but thats part of the fun or it is for me at least. 

So I gotta know, what do you shoot now and what are you wanting to add to your collection this calendar year? Lastly I want to know the WHY behind it.  You can have more than one answer. 

For me I am hoping to add more lenses above more cameras but there are a few cameras that have my attention. All mostly film and all are medium format. I am trying to decide between a few because as much as I love having and trying new things, I don't collect them. This was a lesson I have learned as I get older. I am not a collector of things, I am a user. If I buy a camera, I am very pleased with “user” condition because I don't have to worry about the camera so much and can focus clearer. I have always dreamed of owing a Leica, and in the last year and a half, I have owned 3. My first was an M2, followed by a digital m240, and then to the camera I have dreamed of owning since starting into shooting film- my beautiful M6 TTL.  It is a work of art, which sadly makes me afraid to scratch it, or carry it as often as I should. This is why I have decided its time to let it go to someone less anxious about getting it dirty, and have recently added a Nikon F3 to my arsenal to be my one and only 35mm camera. My daily carry and I FREAKING LOVE IT ALREADY. It gets out of my way and lets me consider my composition, timing, and lighting much much faster. 

Ok so the list of film cameras on my radar are below in no particular order for anyone wondering where the Hell I'm going with this post. 

*Rolleiflex 6008

*Rolleiflex SL66

*Rolleiflex HY6

*Hasselblad 500cm

*Bronica SQA

*Fuji GA645

*Mamiya 7

( CLICK ON ANY CAMERA ABOVE TO CHECK THEM OUT AND BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THESE SITES- THEY ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE RESOURCES FOR ALL THINGS FILM )

That’s it, a few 6x6 options and 2 point and shoot medium format 645 options for EDC. I wont have them all but this is where my thoughts are these days. 

The only digital option I might consider would be the new Canon EOSR 3 or maybe something medium format from Fujifilm as I have always been curious to try one.

Alright, that’s it. We made it and this is my first post for 2022. If you want to hear from me more often like this, just let me know. I only write to clear my head often which leaves this page collecting dust more often than not. Thanks for being awesome!

J

Canon RF 100mm Macro 2.8 Review

Dont have time to read my thoughts? More of a visual person? Here is the YouTube video covering the same info- CLICK HERE

Today I want to talk about my current favorite RF lens.  This thing is such a wonderful tool. I like to think of it as the Leatherman of lenses that I own.  Portraits - check, Products- check - Weddings, everyday, commercial it does it all.  Let me move this RF 50 1.2 out of the way, there it is my 100 mm macro lens.  I know everyone is loving the 50, and rightfully so. It is incredible but it also feels boring to shoot 50mm all the time. I know , I know but its 1.2 and its hella sharp with wonderful Canon colors, and that out of focus area and Bokeh are stuff legends are made of. Your not wrong but I find myself always reaching for the bigger brother instead. its not as capable in low light, your right. It’s almost a thousand dollars less, true again.  Its faster to focus, I hear you but…

Let me start by saying I also adore the 50 1.2 and this is my second version. I had the EF version as well and that lens was softer but in a wonderful way. Sometimes lenses are too sharp to be flattering and over clinical. The 50 is border line for me but I wouldn’t dream of letting it go either. This isn’t about that though, it’s about the unsung hero. The 100mm. This is a lens I have always wanted and never owned. The EF version was always in the cart but I couldn’t pull the trigger but when I decided it was time to move back to Canon and to the R5 specifically, I knew I wanted the RF version of this lens. So why is this one my favorite? Let’s dive in.

I can go on and on about my affection for this piece of plastic and glass, topped off with a bright red Canon Ring for a bow on top but what do I wish were different? No lens is perfect, period but yes the RF 50 is as close as i have ever seen. Let’s start with the gimmicky adjustable bokeh ring.. Why? Just why? I do think I will find a way to utilize this but I dont want to. I want to shoot and connect with my clients above all else, not be thinking, what’s around me might be interesting to shoot much softer? Vanessa Joy has a YouTube video showing some comparison of these settings so check that out here if you are curious about those. 

It’s extremely versatile. I truly think its the best portrait lens currently available in the RF lineup. Yes the 85 is wonderful ( im sure, though I don’t own this lens- not a big 85mm guy either ) but what if I told you invisible backgrounds aren’t the only way to shoot? Shots fired!! This guy with the throat tattoo is being ridiculous but hear me out. Let me start by saying my favorite focal lengths are 24, 35, 135, and I really want a telephoto lens soon but haven’t decided which one. Yes, no 50, or 85 in my “favorite” options. Not hating but that’s my style.

The 100 fits nicely between 85 and the incredible 135mm focal range, and would be the last lens I let go of if and when something else catches my eye. The EF version was well know for its Macro capabilities, and for good reason, it was about the only option available especially if your a fan of that RED Canon L ring on top. Studio Portrait photographers also understand how well it works for headshots and portraits. The RF version is the next step in the evolution of this lens. It is SHARP and beautifully so. It also has some character which is the #1 thing I want in a lens. I still lean hard into my M mount adapted Voigtlander 35mm 1.7 lens on the R5. It it perfect, not even close, but it has feeling. The 100 isn’t that prominent but still feels different. The fall off at 100mm is stunning in itself and also gives you some space between you and your talent, that often lets the subject be more relaxed.  It also checks all the boxes for shooting products or commercial work. It is a macro lens after all and you want to sell lashes? Shoot it on this lens, it pops off the screen. Or maybe you also love photography off the clock and hike and travel. It takes wonderful detail images in nature, can easily be used to capture candid moments with friends and families and its a wedding day work horse too. 

Micro stamp by Clever Supply Co on this incredible leather camera strap.