20 avril 2022

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

16 avril 2022

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

24 mars 2022

14 mars 2022

The (photo gear) example not to follow ... Well, not for all of us!


 Trying and working with several camera and lens models and systems over the last, let's say, four or five decades, I often thought to myself, is it so pertinent to do so considering that a good photographer with a decent piece of equipment can produce very competent image output in a long period of ownership and regular use? And is the only true or, more maliciously, is a classic pretext to overcome any discussion about the qualities of an upgraded photo gear? Only God knows (or his hairdresser)!

Photographic gear has been (and still are) in constant evolution since more than two centuries. So, it is not, in any ways, a new debate. Many technical aspects have been enhanced like optical formulas, analog film performances, internal camera mechanisms, focusing techniques, exposure metering systems, ergonomics, etc. This long process has been translated in many cameras, lenses, and accessories (like flashes, motorization) variants over the years and the decades.

And this is not a "You Tube" phenomena!
Major camera manufacturers like Leica, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax, Olympus, Konica, and many others have introduced a lot of system itineration and, sometimes, complete overall redo of their product line up. And, honestly, I have spent a lot of time (and money!) to try and experiment *** some of them and I was not the only one, I can assure you. Photo magazines (the paper ones) for one were presenting a lot of different gear reviews although the presentation pace was a bit less frenetic in those times compare to the actual Web race to be in the front firsts.

The point is that the new photo gear offers you new technologies that facilitate greatly how we do photography with a better success rate. It also simplifies the learning curve which can be very frustrating for photographers even for the most experimented ones (who often will deny it, of course). All the technical aids are giving you better opportunities to concentrate yourself on creativity and composition of your picture subjects. So, novelties can be a good thing and ... future can be better than past! Saying that, it is not everybody who wants to embark into the ever-changing train of technical evolution which have its own logic in terms of habits and picture results.

The problem of today's photo equipment "You Tube" reviewers that many of them are idealists or tend to justify their personal choices or want to reach a higher clickbait as possible. That can be seen as the result of our Web communication revolution that is promoting instant rewarding based on the size of the audience. And the "Web Like" phenomena can be observed to almost any subjects presented there. Photography is only a very small part of it.


The fun of trying something else!

There is an interest for every different tool available but there is no real tool that will fit perfectly for everyone. It is a question of ergonomic, of interface, of results attended. If you are a curious person, you may like to experiment various photo equipment that will add to your total knowledge on gear variations versus their appreciation to use them or not. And curiosity is a bad thing as we use to say or to hear from our childhood or ... maybe not after all! Learning a new interface may be a good opportunity to further learn certain photographic fundamentals or to break preconceived barriers to creativity. And if you don't try it, you will never know.

This is not an attempt to tease you in buying each photo gear novelties that will be introduced, far from that. There are many ways to simply look at new cameras and lenses, virtually or in person. You can even rent them for a day or two. The only suggestion I will give to you if you feel more adventurous (and fortunate) is to keep an open mind about the latest technical developments and their applications into manufactured products. Who knows? You may find your (momentary) Graal!

*** And it is far from terminated! (I hope) ;-)

Photo Daniel M: Fuji X-S10 / 55-200F3.5-4.8; Olympus Pen-F / 45F1.8

08 mars 2022

On the move : the nomad photographer



 Everybody knows a story about people that have spent the entire life at the same place with the same surrounding and even the same neighbors. A story that seems to be more and more rare in this world in constant upset of many kinds. In short, humanity may be divided in two class of people: the nomad one and the sedentary one, but on a longer run, everybody will eventually change places. The reasons can be multiple like the search of resources, of peace, of better social perspectives, of a better climate, etc. With the demographic exponential grow of the latest centuries et the development of transport and communication structures, there are less reasons to stay put in the same place for a long period of time and, on the contrary the pressure to move has never been so great.

Since the beginning of my professional life, I have occupied seven different residential spaces not counting my two summer refuges. My average time spent in each place was about four years. It is little if you compare that to my parents that have been at only two residential addresses for their whole life spend. And I am not considering myself as a great voyager compared to some others that will be better to rent hotel rooms instead of doing incessant packaging and unpacking their stuff over and over. Why we are moving so frenetically especially considering the insecurity that such action generate in our small life, and not counting some sounding argues from those who are living with us, may sound even today a mystery.


Mobility appears to be a determinant factor to succeed in your life both professionally and personally. We are looking for the better in each case, It is not only looking over the fence for the greener grass but also have access to. So, those fences have been replaced by gates that can be opened easily or simply jumped over. The human animal is in fact a nomad specie that need to go forward even if we don't really know which direction, we are talking about...

On the other hand, we need to have some sort of fixed places because it is impossible to bring with us all the material heritage of a life that will constitute a small part of our modest humanity legacy. So, we are also "temporary" builders because most of our constructions are ephemeral except for some very specific megalomaniac historical monuments.


We can compare our different living places as train (airplane, boat, bus, etc.) stations or rest areas that help us to stabilize our individual situations and to rest for a time necessary to build strength and new knowledges before going back on the road of discovery again. Some of us will spend more or less time during these pauses as for some will stay there forever, they can do. Therefore, human history has been a transitional one to the last frontiers we can imagine and travel for. It is that dynamic nature that has been qualified as evolution and that photography and other interpreting media and expressive arts have recorder through time and cultural periods.

Frequent moving will challenge photographers in term of day-today organization, documentation tasks, selecting recording supports and finally finding sharing channels. If we have welcomed the digital ages for some of those challenges just mentioned, there is a growing uncertainty in regard of the sustainability of the photograph itself especially with the phase out of print pictures which have been the traditional way to conserve them through the ages. Speaking from my own modest example, I have almost lost all my photographic archives without any chance to recover them. Is it the price to pay for mobility? May be but there is also the lack of other interests to document the past compared to the previous generation. We live now in a kind of narrow instant past-present-future that seems to exclude any further necessity to expand our historic references.

Some aspects of moving are less critical. Changing places is having the opportunity to observe and learn new things, new behavior and try new experiences. Without the past social pressure on our shoulders, we can reinvent ourselves on and on (That doesn't mean that there are no more restrictions but, at least, they are often different!). It can also provoke more creativity with a new perspective and renew subjects and contexts. It forces us to experiment again and get out of our past comfort. So, at the end, moving can help us to be a better experimented photographer.

Good moving!

© Photos Daniel M: Lumix G95 / G 25mm F1.7 (X 2);  Fuji X-S10 / 55-200mm OIS

03 mars 2022

Details...

 In photography, the devil is in the details. Sure, the entire context of a picture can be paramount for a better understanding of the story behind, but details are always captivating the lookers and are pushing their reflection about the subject. More than that, the detail can be the only picture object subject. They are becoming an extraction of the total reality of the complete situation. And details have a soul of their own. Don't minimize details and maximize their impact instead.

© Photo Daniel M: OM-D E-M1 III / 12-40F2.8 Pro


01 mars 2022

Micro Four Third??? Yes Sir!




"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." - Mark Twain... and MFT!

We will reverse the problem for one time: Why all those so-call "full-frame" aficionados want that the Micro Four Third sensor format is a dead end into the photographic and videographer gear world of today? It seems a kind of incessant frustration in regard of a certain ascertainment in regard of the difficulty to be a compact and affordable sensor format system when we speak of the digital 35mm incarnation (24 X 36mm mini film format).


But enough controversies to simply celebrate the new gear introductions by OM System (Olympus OM-1) and Panasonic (Lumix GH6) proving that there is still a "market" for good ideas and ... for the good taste! These two new camera models personify the two major MFT trends as photographer and videographer devices. They are professional (or financially comfortable enthusiasms!) intended products, but we understand the marketing goal intention from the two manufacturers to establish a renew credibility. On the side, OM System have proposed new lenses that are a kind of bridges between their most expansive "Pro" optics and their "Premium" amateur ones.

With the Asian market pressure, it is conceivable in a near future that more MFT amateur products will be introduced equally but keeping in mind that the middle range offer will certainly decrease accordingly. So, save your money if you are looking for a more sophisticated camera model with more manual configurations available. The same may apply for the optic offer composition.

Cameras are devices primarily designed for photographic and videographic purposes which is not the case for smartphones or tablets. The last are evidently difficult to handle properly and don't have the same use flexibility. For people who like to do and create imagery with a high-quality level in more extreme subjects or contexts, "real" cameras are still the first choice to make in terms of gear and use. But there is always this historical search for more compact and less intrusive photo (and video) devices, and therefore the MFT sensor format can be a beautiful, complete and reliable answer to that demand.

So, what will be the (far) future of MFT sensor format as for traditional photography as for any visual art techniques? We cannot say it in this great adventure of human expression but that have never prevented us to have the pleasure to do and share photographs between us.

© Photos Daniel M: G95 / G 25mm F1.7; G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 

21 février 2022

Something has to be different!




 Replication is not a new thing in photography as for variations over a basic theme but, at least, variations are a different exploration of the main subject opposed to simply an endless reproduction of the same formula. In many ways we are asking for stereotypes because we want to be reassured and comforted in our vision of this world and reassurance seems to be a (surviving) key word in this moving surrounding.

Differences are fundamentally provoking facts because they are questioning the establish order of our interpretation of this world. In photography and especially in the recent digital decades, we have definite a kind of esthetic algorithm that reproduce the ways on how we want to perceive our recorded imagery. But it is not about to be simply critical technically or not about the picture, it is about acceptation of its inner value in term of visual original expression. In one word, we don't accept any more differences even if we proclaim the opposite!


Without strong feelings and deep emotions, the art of photography is going nowhere except for its tapestry purpose which we can observe truly over the Web and the (social) media of these generations of (fanatic) adepts. Broking their rules and you are simply excluded or marginalized of this visual planet. Their way of thinking contradicts their artistic pretentiousness because they cannot accept to be generous outside their personal goals.

Accepting differences is not easy for many of us. It can be in highly insecure state of mind. If you intend to experiment something new, there is some chance that you won't be satisfied with the first results you will obtain. But that is leading you to try again and expand your exploration desire. That will push you to question your artistic and technical skills and go further and, at the end, will bring you to an higher level of emulation. Observing (and photographically recording) the world around us is opening our mind to different interpretations of this universe. It is a (very) complex environment which we can subtract elements or parts of it to better understand its nature. As they say, there is no real objectivity in our human curiosity but there is certainly a lot of differences that we have to respect!

© Photos Daniel M: Lumix G95 / G 25mm F1.7 / G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power OIS

15 février 2022

Our Arkitektural Frontiers.



 Design is not a new thing in human history. Because we are essentially big constructer remodelers that distinguishes us from other animal species, we have created a very graphic approach how to rearrange our surrounding world. Straight line, curves lines, parallel ones, perpendicular others, triangles, circles, pentagonal, octagonal, and other representations, etc. are part our search and experimentation to draw a world at our minded image. It could be seen as artificial construction opposed to the "natural" state of the untouched things and it is an evident human civilization signature.

Over the past, we have largely documented the incessant human effort to reconfigure its own eco-system on a macro or micro point of view and architectural photography has been a vast field of recorded observations. We have even imposed some rules to do those pictures although they apply more for scientific or factual comparison purposes over times and locations, and we won't argue of their intrinsic pertinences.


But there is another part of it that is more esthetic and that require a far more artistic approach in visual arts such as drawing, painting, or photographing. And that part is the one that involve a fresh creative view where impact and emotions take the first motivation for their authors. Moreover, a world of rapid changes, substitutions and finally... material obliterations, there is a necessity to document and to interpret all these ephemeral human construction manifestations as a time and culture testimony. Today most of this past presence is vanishing in profit of a kind of standardization of our living space where economics has become the primordial factor.


Every human material organization can be appreciated by its "architectural" approach even if it seems sometime odd, unreasonable or futile. Recording these elements as a whole or in details can be a real photographic challenge not only in regard of the technical aspect to produce a picture but also and more important in considering the artistic point of view of the subject. Contextual examples of architectural photography can be seen into these previous posts. This visual experience is starting right into our own familiar surrounding at home and to our regular daily activities. Observing, noticing, taking pictures on a regular base and in different hours and sharing the results are a very rewarding way to experiment architectural photography.

No limit should be imposed to practice architectural photography and every interpretation can add to the cultural knowledge about the human habitat. It is a very inspiring visual subject to explore with interest and enthusiasm.

© Photos Daniel M: Lumix GX7 / G 20mm F1.7; Lumix GM5 / G Vario 12-32mm OIS

08 février 2022

The Panasonic Lumix G95 / G90: Back to basics!



 

Many of us have a special affection for the Panasonic Lumix MFT products. Their functional esthetic reminds me all these German designs of the begin of the 20th century with simplicity, durability, and efficiency as essential characteristics of their products. Nothing flashy except maybe for the connoisseurs. But I must add that the different Panasonic Lumix models have never disappointed me over time starting with my tiny Lumix LX5 in 2011.


 The Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90) is incorporating the common 20MP image sensor following the actual standard used into almost every high and mid-range Micro Four Third image sensor format (MFT) camera models. The previous Lumix G85 (G80) has been such a successful camera model (both for users and critics) that Panasonic seems to have mostly replicated the basic design of it to its newest Lumix G95 (G90) which is in a sense a indirect homage of the pertinence of the ideas implemented onto the original G85 (G80). We must underline that the Lumix G95 (G90) doesn't use the exact same camera shell compared to the previous one (G85) therefore being a little bit larger and a little bit heavier. The camera model might appear more robust although there is no way to prove this assert. 

The Lumix G95 (G90) is a weather resistant camera which is qualifying it as a real all-around photographic tool even in more adverse contextual conditions. Of course, the camera body must be couple with a lens which is accordingly weather resistant (WR) to be able to get a total profit of this feature. Panasonic is offering already in many worlds marketplaces the Lumix G95 (G90) with the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm Power OIS zoom kit (WR) lens. So, you just must be aware to select an additional optic that is WR.


The ergonomic of the Lumix G 95 (G90) might be conquer you when you will handhold the Lumix G95 (G90) for the first time. The G95 sense of proportion seems to be ideal (at least, for some of us!). The front and back control dials and the different function push- buttons are well positioned. The back thumb rest give a good prehension that complete the one (prominent) of the front face. The On- Off switch isn't perfectly located but, at least, it is positioned on the Lumix G95 (G90) right side. No joystick is available, but the touch screen optionality may be considered as a useful substitute.

The shutter release button has a two-stage (focus lock/shutter release) feather touch, and its action sound is discrete, a good characteristic for photographer who must operate in quiet surrounding. The two major control dials are rightly located in the right upper front and back of the G95.


The electronic viewfinder (EVF) eyepiece is noticeably recessed from the camera body living a breathing space for your eye and ... for your nose! The EVF image is clear and sufficiently detailed to be able to focus manually with accuracy. The Live Viewfinder (LVF) panel is fully articulated and can be appreciated by both photographer and videographer. All information data can be reviewed on the EVF or the LVF although they don't rotate to accommodate a vertical (portrait) composition.

Except for the lens release button, the Lumix G95 (G90) body front is exempt of any others function lever or button. The camera body top deck remains a model of simplicity. The ISO, the White Balance (WB) and the exposure correction bias have a direct access through dedicated push buttons. The exposure mode dial (P/A/S/M) is complete with two custom modes (C1, C2), creative and scene modes and a fully automatic mode (iA) is available on the spot if necessary. The B setting is available through the manual mode (M). On left side, the shutter mode dial give access to single and continuous shooting sequences, 4K and back focus modes, and finally interval and self-timer modes. Each camera body sides have specific accesses for the memory card and for the wired different connectivity options. The in-board tiny flash is practical for emergency short distance flash fill-in and is rightly positioned into the false pentaprism.


Other functionalities are positioned on the back side of the Lumix G95 (G90) and can be also reconfigured at will for some of them. Therefore, at some point, it can be difficult to remember all the functionalities selected for the multiple functions press buttons or for D-pad. It is up to you to stay familiarized with the G95 by reviewing the functionalities regularly.

The Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90) despite its basic presentation give you access to a very large spectrum of different ways of experimenting your creativity. You can set the camera the way you want, and it will behave to your own satisfactory. The menu is extended but comprehensible. Wireless connectivity is practical with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi availabilities. The Lumix G95 (G90) is a very easy-going camera to work with since its interface is vastly intuitive. Playing with its different functionalities (even using the menu guide) will allow you to better understand and set the Lumix G95 (G90) your personal way.

The camera is quick to wake up and to be available to photograph. Therefore, the battery consumption is high compared to others competitor products. It is prudent to have on hand an additional battery pack and the use of the optional DMW-BGG1 power (vertical) grip can give you an extended power autonomy, but it stays an expensive accessory although it offers an excellent vertical grip for portrait or action shooting.** 


The autofocus system is efficient for still photography although the tracking option doesn't have the accuracy and reactivity compared to more recent competitor models that have both contrast and phase detection focus operation abilities. The continuous follow focus is manageable with a good success picture taking rate as long the subject movement is not too much erratic. Manual focus can be done through the EVF that have good definition to do so.

The Lumix G95 (G90) stabilization system is a big part of its successful photographic ability. It prevents efficiently to blur generated by the operator unintended movement especially in handheld picture taking situations. It is almost inconceivable today that the modern digital camera models didn't have that specific functionality. Moreover, Panasonic is offering a selection of different optics that carry their own optical stabilisation system (OIS) that can be rightly paired (Dual IS) with the sensor stabilization of the Lumix G95 (G90). It is a win-win situation when you are coupling the camera with a telephoto lens.

The picture review button is located just beside your right thumb and looking to your last recorded image is fast and logically easy compared to some other manufacturer camera models.


The image output.

When it comes to appreciate the Panasonic Lumix imagery output, my first very favorable impression (if not my everlasting) is about their black and white (B&W) special rendering. Coming for that (dark!) age of B&W analog-film, you cannot avoid the pleasure to set the Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90) at its monochrome mode (there are three actually) and enjoy it extendedly. I must add that the color rendering is good equally. The pictures are nice and well detailed especially into the lower ISO sensitivity scale but even in the higher setting (more than ISO 1000), the results are noticeably pleasing.

The creative filters are useful. I love creative filters because they often open our mind to other pictures interpretation bias. Some of them are more anecdotic but some are clearly less intrusive to the picture rendering and can be assimilated as a basic image canvas to explore and exploit. And many of these creative filters (as for the monochrome modes) have a nice setting range in regard of their final effect. 


The future of Micro Four Third image sensor format.
 

Again, we must answer this inevitable questioning about the MFT long term perspective as a system. First, we may notice that the MFT system is already a very mature one in terms of offer and variety of products such as camera models, lenses, accessories. Second to consider, compare to the larger sensor size format other systems, MFT is still more compact and will stay considering its smaller sensor advantage. Third, although the dead of MFT has been anticipated several times, the two major manufacturers, Panasonic, and OM System, are maintaining the availability of the complete line of products. Nobody can clearly predict what will happen in the next 3 or 5 years because it is the way things are working now but don't prevent you to adopt and stay faithful to MFT even if some reviewers or other format fanatics were implying that you must do.

In Brief.
The Panasonic Lumix G95 (G95) is a good camera model that reunite all the characteristics of a competent, durable, and enjoying photo device. For a photo enthusiasm like me, the G95 (G90) answers my search for a compact camera (and lenses) that replicate many "pro" advantages without breaking my small budget. The G95 (G90) can be conveniently coupled with the BGG1 power (Vertical) grip for more battery autonomy, with an external electronic flash for more additional light output and with other specific accessories that are meeting your own choices and needs. The G95 (G90) ergonomic is excellent and its interface complete and easy to interact with. Finally, its image output is very satisfying even for the more asking ones if you stay out of the eternal image sensor format web war. Yes, the Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90) is a fine evolute successor of its beloved predecessor, the G85 (G80).


** If you can afford the purchase of the additional BGG1 power (vertical) grip and the size increase of the camera body, it could be an excellent recommendation for getting a noticeable better handholding of the Lumix G95 (G90). In some country markets, the BGG1 comes already with an additional BLC-12PP battery pack to be use with this accessory.

© Photos Daniel M: Lumix GX8 / G Vario 12-60mm Power OIS; Lumix G95 / G Vario 12-60mm Power OIS / G Vario 45-200mm Power OIS; G Vario 100-300mm Power OIS

01 février 2022

The few (pictures) that really count!





 While scanning through the Flickr Photo public bank, a sudden reflexion strikes me about the futility of presenting a massive number of pictures compare to be more selective and choosing the few ones that can generate more impact, questioning and inspiration. Because, in fact, you don't have to prove yourself in front of others by overwhelm them with a large and motley photo album that will simply induce a fatigue effect from the observer.

Let's be clear. You want to gain the heart of all the people and especially the ones that are often negatively critical by habit, by malice, by insecurity of their own inaptitude to produce and share pictures. These false proclaimed amateur "art directors" cannot understand anything that won't fit their narrow-minded interpretation. They don't want to be surprised, chocked, and learn sometimes new or different. It is a lost cause for you and for them.


Some pictures will survive in your heart and more importantly, will survive from their first taking context which is meaning that the message they convoy is more universal, less limited. Other pictures are often the repetition of something already presented several times in a kind of "pastiche" of the theme they try to reproduce. By opposition, some pictures are another kind of(artistic) search variations that expand the interest of the subject. Finally, some others are more consumable fashionable image representation that may see for a time (if you are lucky) as long they survive to the taste of the day.

Exploring the different Flickr galleries is a good indicator of the kind of documentation work or artistic exploration propose by their respective authors. Although we never really sure about the profound intentions of them, we can, at least, get a certain idea of the impact of their imagery output. By picking a very few of them to be part of my small "favorite" gallery, I want to encourage new talents with a fresh view of our surrounding world. There are often not technically perfect, but they are authentic and inspiring, two qualities that I am looking for in every photograph. That gallery is not only an homage but also an encouragement to go further and to share among other photographers.

There is a misconception about specifically "news" photography and why they do such number of pictures in a short time. Many of these pictures are in fact regarded as safeguards of the moments of the event, the context, and the subject. News photographers already know that will be only an infinite fraction of these pictures that will be selected like 1 of 100, 1,000 or 10,000! And most of these pictures are repetitive with very small variations. At the end, you can summarize them into small subject packages in very few theme and subject developments.

Everyone that is a bit serious about photography like to share his/her pictures but often feel very insecure to do so. It is normal because, in a way, it is a very intimate act that represent you, and your believes, your intentions. But it is an error to submerge your audience with a lot of pictures that will confuse and tired them. We must be more confident and audacious in your attempt to strike people about our pictures. Less pictures but with far more impact!

© Photos Daniel M: OM-D E-M5 III/ED 14-150mm II; OM-D E-M1 II/ED 12-40mm Pro