Welcome 2012

Welcome all to the year 2012! Some have feared this year due to the Mayan predicted cataclysm, others recall when 2012 seemed like decades into the distant future, I fore one am excited for this fantastic new opportunity to grow as a photographer, adventure, and above all, human being. There is no doubt that 2011 was anything but fantastic for me.(Check out my Best Photos of 2011 to see why I enjoyed 2011 so much.) But with a new year now in full swing, It is time to get serious about what I plan to accomplish in the year of the black dragon.

Photos – The Best Of 2011

2011 has been good to me in the form of photography and adventure. I started the year off with a trip to the Adirondacks to climb New York’s highest Peak: Mount Marcy, Then in April, I made my first ever trip to Yosemite National Park and despite the rain, Had a blast. Then in August I completed one of my dreams and crossed the United States in my car. I have had the opportunity to create some pretty fantastic images this year, And today I want to share my favorites with you. I’ll show you the photos and give you a little back story on each one. So go grab a glass of wine or your favorite bottle of scotch and enjoy.

Tipped Off: Why Shoot RAW?

By: Patrick Gensel

If you are new to the digital SLR scene, you might have heard the term RAW tossed around from time to time, but what exactly does it mean, and do you need it? The short answers: RAW is just that, The raw image as the camera sees it without any compression or alteration. Do you need it? Not necessarily, but it will make you life easier if you do a lot of post production. Lets look at the benefits of shooting and using RAW.

Lowepro Photosport 200 AW

It is often that I am blurring the lines between my two passions: The outdoors and photography, but safely carrying my camera equipment can sometimes prove troublesome. Rigging different bags to my backpack generally worked, but was not always the most ideal solution. Then I discovered the Photosport 200 AW by Lowepro. This bag is set up perfectly for the photographer on a day trip outdoors. Skiing, Climbing, Hiking, you name it, this bag is set up for it.It also has protection against the elements, but i’ll get to that in a bit.

Coffee Break: A 50mm Test

I got up this morning and felt inspired by two things: The little canon 50mm 1.8 lens, and coffee, So I set out to work and this I what I present to you:

All footage was shot using a Canon 6oD with the f1.8(plastic  body) 50mm lens. Editing and Color Correction done in FCP X.