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Point-n-Kick Ass!

Panasonic Lumix LX5 Review

This little bar sits between Denver and Castle Rock Colorado, along a once sleepy little road connecting the two cities. Now, it’s everyone’s favorite shortcut. I have always wanted to make an image of this bar, but the opportunity never presented itself until recently. You might know by now that I have a camera on me at all times. However, the type of camera I have varies. I thought I would take a second to outline the 3 category of kits or systems I run around with. You can find more detailed information on my gear page.

  • iPhone – As Chase Jarvis has successfully demonstrated, the Best Camera is the one you have with you. For me, it’s my iPhone. You can find a list of apps I use here.
  • DSLR – A lot of bells and whistles here. You can find the my various system configurations here.
  • Go-Lite Point n’ Shoot The focus of this post isn’t the iPhone of the full DSLR system. It is that dynamic middle ground where it seems most camera manufacturers compete….the Point n’ Shoot. There is quite the spectrum of cameras that fall within this category. I have shot them all. Canon Powershots, Nikon L & P series, Panasonic, Sony, etc… That being said, I have finally found my perfect Go-Lite Point-n-Shoot system. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. I liked it so much, I wrote up a review of it here.

Whether it is the Lumix LX5, or some other compact camera, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to make great images. The cameras that were once second class citizens are pretty darn cool nowadays. So go out, grab yourself a ‘Point-n-Shoot’, and Point-n-make some kick ass images!

Connecting The Moments

One Moment

The week was all planned out here at LightAsMagic.com. After last week’s series, ‘Anatomy of a Photo-Walk’ I was hoping to get back to some adventure. However, a simple sunset changed everything. I was getting domestic around the house when I noticed a change in the light that was filling the room. I couldn’t ignore it. I grabbed my point-n-shoot and ran out the door. I knew if I ran/rode/drove to a better location I would miss the moment. So I jumped up on top the car, put an overgrown grass in the foreground, and tried my best to make an image in the middle of suburbia. I decided to share the story and the image in the hopes it might encourage others to grab their camera, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, and start to connect the moments in their lives.

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

iPhone Friday

A rookie mistake left me in the middle of the desert without a SD card for my TZ4. Instead of heading down a path of negative self talk, I grabbed the iPhone out of my CamelBak and embraced the challenge. I found it to be incredibly liberating. No longer was I troubled with the decisions and gear that traditionally impact the tripod totin’ bracket-er. The entire weekend became an exercise in composition, vision, and creativity. Yes, I was tired and my legs were sore, but I don’t mean that kind of exercise. Having to create images with a single fixed tool, I was forced to change my focus. In doing so, I emerged from the desert with a stronger vision and my photographer’s dignity intact!

Just in case you don’t commonly scroll down to the ‘Great Eyes’ links, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight a couple new additions in a post.

Denis Darzacq

Dave Hill

Jim Patterson

iPhone Friday

You might know by now that I am pretty hip to the iPhone as a photographic tool. Sure, its flash sync speed has something to be desired (it doesn’t even have a flash), limited high ISO capabilities, no telephoto to speak of, doesn’t take filters (I’m actually working on that), its only 1.5 mega pixels, no aperture or shutter speed controls, etc, etc…. However, in the face of all that, I absolutely love it. That being said, I have decided to post my favorite pics from the week every Friday. I thought it might be a fun way to look back on the week and possibly stir up some creative juices going into the weekend. All these images were shot and edited within the iPhone using ‘The Best Camera’. If you are interested, you can find it in the app store by clicking the link. Hard to beat for $2.99.

Note: I might miss a day or two soon because I am headed to the desert. Don’t worry, I will have my iPhone + my landscape kit.

Best Camera

Being There


Lately I have had a bit of full frame/big glass envy. I have my kit, and I’m very happy with it. But there always seems to be something I would like to add or upgrade. At least for me, this desire (rationalized as an artistic need) is that fact that I don’t ever want to let an image get away. I want to be prepared, with the best possible toolset, for when ‘that’ image presents itself. It is when I find images like this, shot with a sub $150 camera, that I remind myself that its not about the gear, it’s about being there. There is no question that great gear will help, but it won’t help you if you aren’t out chasing it.

Capture Notes:

Panasonic TZ4

Processing Notes:

Capture (1 Image)
Nik Silver Efex Pro (High Structure Red Filter)
LightAsMagic.com