A Neutral Filter can be a See-through Permanent Protective Front Lens Cap!

 Had the privilege to be part of the photography business domain (as corporate and freelance photographer), I have developed a strong aversion over the years about the use of front lens caps. Why? Simply because they (lens caps) have the malicious habit to be in place at the wrong moment and they (lens caps) have the highest ability to lose themselves in too many occasions. Very early in my visual creator life, the neutral filters have been a critical equipment for my psychologic comfort and the one of my precious optics.

It is preferable that the neutral and protective filters are manufactured with very good quality optic glasses ***. Their construction should also be strong and refined so, you can screw and unscrew then with ease and confidence. These modern filters are now available with sophistic coating that prevent undesirable light reflections and, in some cases, act as a water repellent which is very useful in adverse condition photographic contexts.

The use of a neutral (protective) filter that act as a permanent fixed protective front lens cap can be combined with the mounting of a dedicated lens hood which is further prevent unwanted light flair phenomena. All these lens accessories (filter, lens hood) are not an obligatory requirement to get better picture results but for the photographer, they are a very fine reassurance about the sustainability of their precious photo gear without speaking about the enhanced ability to be able to photograph instantly.
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*** Yes, high quality filters can be expensive...

Photo Daniel M: Fujifilm X-S10 / XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS

Faces-O-Ton with the Fujinon XC50-230mm F4.5-6.7 OIS II

 

Photos Daniel M: Fujifilm X-S10 / XC 50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II

Stories behind the pictures

We know this adage saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" and everybody agrees about the impact and the multiple signifiants contained in a photograph. But there is also a story behind all these visual testimonies that were not possible without a personal involvement and a contextual set-up. And it goes as far as the final presentation of the picture in including its sharing support and its specific audience. 

In reality there is no picture that can be sustained by itself because many circonstances have or will definite its (temporary) lasting impact. Without these fundamental factors, photographs cannot simply existed. 

So, what about these "off the record" or "between lines" stories that may explain more extendedly the context of the photographer's quest. There is a lot of these stories telled in books, articles, interviews done by the photographer itself or by third party interested people. The approch can be academic, journalistic or even literary for some and many are almost if not more fascinating than the picture it is based from. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words but it can also provoke more thousands of words that will enrich the subject and its purpose. 

Here are few short memories extracted from my personal modest collection:

A racing weekend with Manon (July 1992)

Over my "racing" years of photography, many weekends were spent to motorsport assignations and my future and still beloved wife had eventually get frustrate to stay behind when I had these wonderful opportunity of enjoying the glamorous atmosphere of the world of motor races (with the charming girls and the splendid after-race afternoon gatherings!). Although I have mentioned to her that the reality of being a photo-reporter under these circonstances may be in reality a bit different, the doubts had been always there.

So, exceptionally, for one of those three days event, Manon served me as an assistant-photographer into the beautiful (and very scenic) Mont-Tremblant mountain circuit site which can be compare to similar from Spa (Belgium) or Nurburing (Germany) in Europe. And as usual, we have encounter the usual mix of extreme temperature changes (sun, warm, rain. wind, cold). And although we had lot of fun, Manon never ask me again to be assistant and preferred to stay into the full services spectator areas!

Photos Daniel M: Nikon F3 HP / Nikkor AI 300mm F4.5

A German interest (May 1997)

1997 was a big year in my life! I have get married to Manon in previous September 1996 and I started a brand new job on the road for several different photo equipment Canadian distributors as an agent for the Eastern part of the country. As a Leica representative, I had to follow a special seminar about their products and visit their German manufactory at Solms near Wetzlar. As a North-American individual, Germany was a fascinating country considering the recent past history of the second World war and the cold war. The lands, the buildings and the German society have been completely regenerated since forty years but it seems that further past heritage has been also revisited as there were not a lot of in situ testimonies left about the considerable war material and human damages. It proves simply that humanity is a lot stronger than we first think of.

Photo Daniel M: Leica Minilux 

The analog days are almost over *** (Key West, August 1997)

*** and I didn't know it!

During a three weeks road trip along the USA east coast, we had finally reached its southest point, Key West. I was still an "analog-film" photographer at that time although I cannot remember exactly which specific camera I have used to do this slide (probably a Nikon F90X / Nikkor AIs 35-70mm F2.8). This picture illustrate my ever interest to do graphic composition with a humanity zest and obviously show the limitations of the analog-film dynamic compare to the digital modern sensors but the special blend of the color rendition and the grain texture of the film was unique by itself. For the record, it will take, at least, another seven years before I definitively adopt the digital gear wave.

Photo Daniel M: Nikon F90X / Nikkor AIs 35-70mm F2.8 (to my best recollection)

A strange new world (Tulum, March 2006)

We were visiting the fascinating Tulum Temple remains and we did record all those antique assembled and sculpted rocks but there was something missing which appeared to be the human essence this new world for the "conquering" Europeans that we were at the time (and not very respectful I must add). Suddenly, I decided to go further near this small beach and I was seduced by its different atmosphere when I saw this mother with her youngsters spending time in the Atlantic breeze. Recording that moment was the highlight of the entire visit.

Photo Daniel M: Nikon D70S / AF-S DX 18-70mm F3.5-4.5

Frames over Frames (Montréal, August 2012)

A snap shot is always a snap shot but without a sharp eye and a sense of anticipation, it is rarely a strong storytelling picture. Picture frames are like small cells of life that contain their own universe and drama. Humanity can be framed into infinite possibilities, contexts and situations. And sometimes these frames are melting themselves or collides in various and interesting ways that photographs can record for posterity. This moment happened just through my beautiful office windows in Old Montreal.

Photo Daniel M: Nikon 1 V1 / VR 10-30mm F3.5-5.6

Cat People (September 2018)

We are "cat people", no doubt about it but, by far, not the first ones, egyptology can attest! And the real question behind this fascination about cat is "what they (the cat) are really thinking of us"? (beside the proven fact that we are their best servants). And why there are so many "cat pictures" all over the Web planet? Yes, we, humans, love them but is it a  mutual feeling? 

From all the cats that have decided to share their life with my wife and I, we never have received a clear answer. May be they, the cats, kindly decided to tolerate us as a philosophic and a practical point of view. May be they, the cats, want to educate us to a better living manner. May be they, the cats, simply want to enjoy life with our company. May be...

Photo Daniel M: Lumix GX9 / G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6

Golden Light (September 2021)

We are facing difficult times since a few years despite the fact that many of us are still privileged with life but we cannot ignore that many others fellow human are encounting a substantial degradation of their material and psychologic situation. We are searching for hope and a better future far less scary from what many are predicting for us, the kind of "golden" future that will enlighten our universe. 

Photo Daniel M: Fujifilm X-Pro2 / XF 50mm F2 WR

Unexplored Perspectives (in photography)

 This question (if not this quest) is often evoked by all these artistically photo-philosophers of this small world: why not trying new perspectives, meaning often new visual interpretations of our surrounding places, things, and people? But it is easier to say especially considering the obvious and vastly already existing diverse artistic material produced and presented over the years, the decades, and the centuries!

When we speak about perspectives, we speak often about our "own" perspective more than about a larger academic point of view. As creators of our own imaging universe, it is already challenging to overcome our natural habit to reproduce something familiar and reassuring. Trying something else is not only demanding but also highly insecure for us. On a larger scale, it introduces controversy and sometimes deep lacks understanding even from our closest friends.

Transgressing our usual is in fact opening a new road to renewable creativity. That introduces an uncertain but fresh visual interpretation of our universe that can lead to something different, interesting, and indicative and it largely worth the effort and the uncertainty.

Photos Daniel M: Lumix G95 / G 25mm F1.7 ASPH