3 days of photography along Lake Michigan

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I finally got my camera back from the shop, so I had to go somewhere and try it. I decided to go back up to Lake Michigan, where I camped for 3 days. I visited spots I'd never been to, like Ludington, Muskegon, Holland or Grand Haven.

Even though the first night I could barely get any sleep due to what probably was the most powerful thunderstorm I'd ever seen, the rest of the road trip was pretty much perfect. It was cold and wet, conditions I love for myself... and for photography. I even ran into some fog the last day.

Long exposures in Saint Joseph, Michigan

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I went to Saint Joseph a couple times this past winter, and I had a lot of fun photographing it. I'd never been there without the snow, so I decided to give it a try. It was weird to be photographing the same subjects in such a different environment. The place didn't disappoint, though, and I was able to make a few long exposures I liked.

Camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

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As much as I like the cold winter, warmer weather means camping season, and I wanted to start early. We spent a few days camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan, and even though it was colder than I was expecting (it even snowed!), the trip was a success. Rachel and I got to spend time together, relax, experience nature, see beautiful places, and I even had time for some photography.

On post-processing: photography or digital art?

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How far can we go with photography? When does it stop being photography and start becoming something else, like digital art?

I discussed this topic in my newsletter a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it'd be interesting to make a video about it.

Warming Up

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With two trips coming up in the next few weeks, I wanted to break out of my comfortable daily routine and get out to make some images. I visit Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes, where I find much better conditions than I was expecting.

Black and White in digital photography: why, when and how

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Not too long ago, black and white was the default. This was due mainly to limititations with color photography, but today digital photograph has made easier than ever. Color is the default, and black and white is a choice. A creative one.

Many digital photographers don't realize that black and white is an option. In this video, we discuss why it's a good option, when to do black and white, and how.

Stick with it: consistency and experimentation in photography

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Experimentation is a fundamental part of photography. Our work needs consistency, though, and change for the sake of change can lead to procrastination.

The day I became a professional photographer

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You'd think -at least that's what I thought- that I became a professional photographer the day I quit my job and started to do photography full-time. But that wasn't the case. It took me a while to realize that I had become a full-time casual photographer. And it was about time to step it up and turn pro.

I broke my camera, new lens, and some Q&A

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A month ago or so, I dropped my camera while taking some test shots. I had to send it to be fixed, and it's finally back! In this video, I also talk about a new lens I bought, and answer some of questions I was asked on Instagram.

On Silence

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Photography has taught how to listen to silence. I discovered that silence is not absence, it's balance. Nothing makes sense without silence. That's what I seek in my photography.

On self doubt

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I used to think I was the only one hearing that voice. The voice inside telling me it's not worth trying, I'm not good enough, it's been done before... until I realized I was not the only one. And that, even though it can be painful, this is the way.

On Film Photography

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Film photography is a topic that stirs passions. In this video, I tell you about my experience with film, what I think about it, and why I shoot mostly digital today.

Photography is all about timing

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In this video, I share a very recent example of being at the right place, at the right moment. That's what photography is about, for the most part.

Editing 6 winter images (iPad and Adobe Lightroom CC)

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In this video, I edit 6 images I made this winter on my iPad using Adobe Lightroom CC.

Wide and fast

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I love my 35mm f/1.4 lens. At that focal length, it's relatively wide while offering a very wide aperture. The images I create with it remind me a bit of the medium format look.

I like it so much, that I wanted to try other fast, but even wider, lenses. And that's what I did!

The one rule I cannot break when I purchase new camera gear

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I like cameras and lenses like any other photographer, but I know that owning a lot of gear only brings problems and makes my job harder. I have a few requirements that a new piece of equipment has to meet before I buy it, but there's one rule I cannot break no matter what.

Nothing will ever beat good timing

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The snow and ice are melting really quick, and they are revealing all kind of scenes. I stumbled upon this one during my morning walk yesterday: an American flag that had been underwater for a while.

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“real camera”

I knew there was an image there, so I turned on my compact camera and started to look for the right angle. After just a few seconds, it died. "Battery exhausted". I couldn't believe it.

I knew it was about to die when I left home, and made the terrible mistake of not bringing an extra battery. So I did the only thing I could do: I pull out my iPhone 7 and took a shot.

I immediately loved the result and I wanted to capture it again with a better camera. So I went home, grabbed a new battery, and soon enough I was back at the scene. It had taken me half an hour, but it was too late. Everything that made the image work earlier was just not there anymore: the Sun was higher in the sky and the reflections on the water looked bad; also the wind had picked up creating small waves.

It goes to show that camera gear does matter, but nothing will ever beat good timing: being at the right place, at the right moment.

My morning walk

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In this video, I invite to come along on my morning walk. I'll show you some of my favorite spots where I've made some of my images.

Contact sheets from Michigan City

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I've been taking many more images than I usually do lately. It's been so cold that I need to keep moving to stay warm, so I don't have as much time to think about the composition. I shoot every angle that looks interesting, and go through those shots later from a warm home.

Thing is, I delete a lot of pictures. I felt like it was a waste, so I created a few contact sheets that I share with you in this video.

More info about contact sheets: