Time Travel

On a trip to Austin, TX way back in 2009, I remember taking along my brand new Panasonic LX-3 digicam. I really enjoyed having a small, yet powerful camera always with me to make photographs of whatever happened to strike my fancy as I went about my day. Like this construction project near the UT campus. Of course, I wasn't smart enough (still not) to realize that soon enough my EDC camera would be one small part of a computer that lives in my pocket. It is gratifying to realize that most of the old photographs I made using early digital equipment still hold up pretty well today. This file looks just fine thank you very much on my new 5K monitor. Except for the blown out highlights... but, naturally, that's just part of the digicam aesthetic, you know? I still have that old LX-3 laying around the studio and enjoy taking it out every once in a while. It still works, but I did have to gaff the flash in the down position.

Good light to you this weekend, fellow traveler. Grab the nearest digicam and fire off a card full of photographs. It'll be fun! 

Insane Telephoto

A few years ago I thought it might be fun to go birdwatching on the Gulf Coast. It certainly was great fun, but it also was meltingly hot and humid already in February, which you could say effectively dampened my enthusiasm for being active outdoors. Turns out, I preferred just watching the birds rather than trying to photograph them through a spotting scope and sweating all over my gear. In the end, the spotting scope was much more fun to use after I got home as an insanely long telephoto lens. 

Tasting notes: Panasonic LX3 and Kowa spotting scope.

I Work With Zombies...

I no longer work at the place where this photograph was taken, but for the most part, I have to admit that it was a really good gig. Nevertheless, I still needed my daily walks with a camera in order to cope. It was still a job after all, with other people and management to contend with. The sticker reads, 'I live with zombies', and it made me smile to know that others were aware of the truth.

Tasting notes: Panasonic LX-3.  

Untethered

You never know what you are going to see when you walk out the door, even if it is just for a quick turn around the block. So, I am glad I had a well-worn Panasonic Lumix LX-3 with me when I came across two FedEx trucks in a docking configuration. The LX-3 is an old digicam from the late aughts, a period of time when many of us humans were still somewhat sanguine about the role of technology in our lives. At any rate, the camera made quite a splash, and was pretty expensive, too, retailing for between $400-$500 according to the internet. I think it was one of the first digicams to have a super wide lens (24mm equivalent). Of course, that is roughly the field of view of many phone cameras these days. It gives the beloved 'real estate' stretch toward the edges of the frame, but also makes your face look thinner in selfie mode, so there's that. These days you can find these little cameras for under $50 if you look around. Honestly, it still takes pretty decent images and is a fun little snap shooter. And, you can just leave your phone at home for a change.

Tasting notes: Shot in RAW and converted to black and white later.

Capturing my mood

We spent some time in Austin in 2009 and I remember taking the little LX-3 with me to the campus of the University of Texas, my alma mater. I also remember walking all over the main campus trying to remember my old haunts from the time I was there as a student. At some point I made this diptych, which I had completely forgotten about. The buildings have no particular meaning to me now, but the color of the morning light in winter and the tones of the bricks sure do resonate.

Tasting notes: Panasonic Lumix LX-3, circa 2009.

Digicam Dreams...

This year, I surpassed twenty years of digital photographs to manage. I try to go through my archive fairly regularly in order to keep the total number of files from blowing up. It definitely feels good to toss out the dogs, the duplicates, and the meaningless crap shots. Of course, there are some haircuts that are not worth remembering either. It's interesting, too, which cameras you end up thinking of most fondly as time passes. Way back in 2009, it looks like I was shooting with the Nikon D300 and the Panasonic LX-3. My Nikon FM2N would sit unused on a shelf for a few more years. But how I loved that bloody LX-3! It took pretty decent images, but certainly nothing approaching what the Nikon could do. It seems I have always had a soft spot for these little all-in-one cameras. Kinda still do. My phone is my wallet, my map, my damn life. It is too important to use to make snapshots. It might make sense to start taking photographs with a dedicated camera again. You can pick up a LX-3 for $50 today.

Tasting notes: Panasonic Lumix LX-3, circa 2009.

Panasonic LX3: digicam of the stars

I came across a short film about the photographer John Gossage recently. Full disclosure: Gossage makes it to my personal top ten list, at least for this phase of my photographic journey. Anyway, I think the video was made within the last 3-4 years in connection with the publication of one of his recent books. I noticed he had a small and relatively ancient digital camera slung over his shoulder during the interview. I am ninety-nine percent sure it was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Damn! I owned that camera back in the day and I really loved it, all 10 megapixels worth. It really was a wonderful little everyday carry camera, including being pretty stylish as well a good imager. And isn't it cool when we discover we've used the same gear as a well known artist?

I remember that I especially enjoyed taking the LX3 to the various greenhouses and garden shops around town in order to have something to do while my wife was picking out new plants for the yard. A greenhouse is one of a photographer's best friends.