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S12.2022


In 2019, I purchased a Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 (Canon EF) to accompany my Panasonic GH4. The lens is compatible using a Viltrox adapter (0.71x). One of my first trips with my upgraded equipment was to St. Augustine. The sole purpose of upgrading lenses was to get more of a cinematic look when filming for a documentary titled Thirdy. Although I was wrapping up filming, I felt a cinematic look for the last 10-15% of the documentary would be suitable.


There's a 1% chance I take any camera equipment on vacation. However, I was curious. This trip, with my wife, was for our one year anniversary. We had been eager to visit St. Augustine, and I decided to take my lens and camera.


Today, I woke up early had a good cup of joe, read a local magazine, and shot some street photography with my new Panasonic S5. What brought me "outside" was the fact many blogs discussed photography specs with the Panasonic S5 were more limited when switching to ASPC mode.


The 24 megapixel capabilities downgrade to 10 megapixels in ASPC mode. Hearing this news, I was not pleased. I always dreamed of getting to 20 mp or higher when I had my 16 mp GH4. Though this is not an issue in video mode, I felt it was necessary to invest in native lenses moving forward.


My trouble shooting mind was fixed on getting a native lens that would suit my photography needs on the Panasonic S5. I already have the 20-60mm kit, and B&H threw in an 85mm 1.7 on the house. To complete my native set, I decided to purchase a Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8. Huge lenses are not my thing, so it was easy to decide between the Sigma 24-70mm and the 28-70mm due to the heaviness of the 24-70mm.


This weekend, while waiting for the Sigma 28-70mm to be delivered, I decided to take photos with native lenses I already had.





Panasonic S5 20-60mm kit, 85mm.


After shooting with my s5 I looked back at these old photos I took while visiting St. Augustine to see what photos looked like at lower megapixels.




Still, I was impressed at the look and feel of the pictures from my GH4. Based on calculations some of the photos I exported were as low as 4 megapixels, due to cropping or certain aspect ratios like 16 x 9.





Panasonic GH4, Sigma Art Lens 18-35mm Canon Ef. w/ Viltrox Adapter.


When looking at the info specs, I noticed how much my aperture, iso, and shutter speed constantly changed. I did not stick with one setting. Run n gun style photography reminds you to be versatile with your settings and not stick to a certain aperture for the sake of bokeh.


Still, I was impressed at the look and feel of the pictures from my GH4. Based on calculations some of the photos I exported were as low as 4 megapixels, due to certain cropping or certain aspect ratios like 16 x 9.


Street photography does not get enough credit for helping photographers become more accountable for rapid setting changes in real world scenarios. Some of the photos I chose here do a good job of juxtaposing or complementing lines and shapes. There's a certain symmetry, balance, or slight rule of thirds that brings the composition together as a whole.


Street photography also makes us better filmmakers. As I'm learning my new gear, I am becoming more intrigued with using my lenses in intimate, outdoor spaces.


I wanted to sell my B camera, but there's a vintage look coming from it. I'm afraid I will envy this look in the future. If I had to choose a back up B camera it would be the gh5, but with the features in the s5, it’s completely unnecessary to upgrade my b camera by $800 simply for IBIS, when the b cam would be on a tripod anyways.


Here are some shots from the GH4 shot with the sigma 18-35 f1.8, back in 2019. Click on one photo to be in expand mode and from there you can scroll through all of the pics.













Panasonic GH4, Sigma Art Lens 18-35mm Canon Ef. w/ Viltrox Adapter.













Panasonic GH4, Sigma Art Lens 18-35mm Canon Ef. w/ Viltrox Adapter.



Panasonic GH4, Sigma Art Lens 18-35mm Canon Ef. w/ Viltrox Adapter.


08.2`.22

- MCMXX

  • Writer: RETRO1920
    RETRO1920
  • 2 min read




The most disciplined thing I have done creatively, to finish a book. I started in 2016, the pandemic set me back a bit but I persevered. Looking forward to how people will react to this one and eager for any feedback.


This meditation has been curated to deeply understand the concerns and intentions of creatives and where our process can strengthen in the future. What if there were twelve jewels, tailored to creatives?


This started as a letter to my unborn children. As I was wrapping up the tail end of my meditation, I forgot who I was, and I came back to these drafts of my thoughts to remember who we all strive to become. I am no better than whoever is reading these meditations. Essentially these are all our meditations – a way to come back to our true selves. I too get lost on the road, I helped build. These are notes for us when we need them the most, a friend in time of need.






AFTERWORD


This meditation has been curated to deeply understand the concerns and intentions of creatives and where our process can strengthen in the future. I needed to articulate my inner thoughts, as much as I needed to express them to others. The main intention is companionship. After losing an artist I knew to suicide and one of my best friends to suicide, only a few years apart, I knew there needed to be a space for these kinds of conversations. It also inspired me to get back to scriptwriting, and I reprised an idea for a story titled Nine Ways to Hide a Spirit. Though initially scrapped, I kept thinking what if someone saw this film and it helped them feel more understood in the world? There is a plethora of concepts we can meditate on, but these concepts felt like the best foundation to lay our pillars. We can start by having a conscious look at the way we use the physical and mental space around us; our vision enhances in the way we perceive our craft and our place in the world. When we master space and perception, we take gradual steps to improve the way we experience time. Intently navigating people and spaces, helps us meditate on a new form of wealth using opportunity, exchange, and pliancy to navigate in creative environments and build our own money tree. A self-created dojo, through a God-given conscience, brings out the best in our distribution of energy, habit, and balance. An ambience. The greatest struggle is moving through a perceived moment of limbo, seeing no future, and having to build from the strengths of our past (nostalgia) in order to create a future foundation using pillars to build our legacy. My original problem identifier for this project, what if there were twelve jewels, more tailored to creatives?


- MCMXX

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original work published on EST. 1920 blog

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