I am a photographer, sketcher, and watercolor painter. I offer training on learning how to use your camera more efficiently as well as on sketching and watercolor painting. In addition, I sell originals and prints of my watercolor paintings.
Well, I leave on my two-week adventure through Germany the day after tomorrow. Clothes are all organized. Most are ready to go in the suitcase but I’ll do that on Monday before I leave for the airport. I’ve packed my Vanquest SKITCH-12 bag with my camera and audio gear and am taking pretty much what I had listed before...
While I'm in Germany over the next two weeks, in addition to visiting family I'm going to wander the streets of many small and mid-sized towns and cities. And, as I do here at home when we go to a city with a vibrant downtown (Charleston, Chicago, Seattle), I will have either my Olympus OM-D E-M1 or Panasonic GM-5 in my hand ready to capture moments on the street.
I'm going to Germany next week. Spending two weeks there and hope to capture some great images. Naturally, before a trip such as this, my mind turns to packing. Clothes and camera gear. It's already turning cooler in Southern Germany (Bavaria, primarily), so clothes I think I have figured out.
Over the years I have tried a lot of ways to hold my camera stable. Only recently have I invested in sturdy tripods that cost more than I ever thought I'd pay but are are still inexpensive compared to what many photographers use. I opted, instead, for the lighter, less expensive alternatives. And, for as much as I used them, that was okay. I've tried monopods and gone through two or more of them. I've gotten and used various GorillaPod tripods, too. I still carry around with me a little tripod my brother-in-law gave me some thirty years ago. Add to these a variety of other things to hold my camera upright and I have quite a collection of tripod-like devices.
Three weeks ago I shared my first impressions of Olympus' new action camera, the Tough TG-Tracker. Like it's close cousin the Olympus Tough camera series, the Tracker is shockproof, freeze proof (to 14° F/-10° C), and waterproof (the Tracker to 100'/30 m).
Well, at least I know it can work. Using my iPad as my "cellphone," that is. Thanks to Skype. I did, in fact, get several voicemails via my Skype account, so that is cool. However, yesterday, while rummaging around in a cabinet where I keep old electronics, I found the Samsung (Verizon) flip phone I used before getting my first iPhone four years ago!
Trust me, I'm not doing this because I want to, because of some 'minimalist' ideal or desire to disconnect from online life. No, plain and simple, I went in the pool last week with my 64GB iPhone 6 in my swimsuit pocket. Stupid. Idiotic. I should be ashamed. Etc. Mostly, though, I just feel dumb.
I'm one month from the end of my 2-year Verizon contract and there appears, once again, that a new iPhone 7 is to be announced and delivered in September about a month from now.
My new Olympus Tough TG-Tracker finally arrived earlier this week! Though I glanced at this camera in the exhibit area of the recent Out of Chicago photography conference, I never picked one up. So, when I took mine out of its box I was surprised at just how small it is! Not GoPro small but very small. I have the Yi action camera which is the same size as a GoPro, so I've included some photos comparing it to the Tracker.
