Yesterday was Veterans Day here in the United States. To honor those who have fought for this nation, this is one of the first quotes about our country’s first soldiers. It was spoken by our premier president on the fields at Valley Forge National Historic Park. “Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldier.” February 16 1776
Veterans Day 2012
Nikon D5100 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 12mm f/8 ISO 100 5 image HDR
Here in the Northeast we received our first present from Old Man Winter this week. A nor'easter hurled massive amounts of precipitation from the Atlantic Ocean on top of many states in our region. But just outside of West Chester PA, where I live, we came through pretty much unscathed. When I awoke Wednesday morning I peered through the window shades. Much to my surprise, the six inches of snow I expected had transformed into a light dusting. Driving into work I did find a few spots that has some snow left on the trees like this one at Grove United Methodist Church in West Chester. Hopefully winter will stay away for a few more weeks. Enjoy your weekend.
First Snowfall
Nikon D800 Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 @ 16mm f/8 ISO 100 7 image HDR
First let me say this is not a review of either camera, and I am not telling anyone to spend lots and lots of money to buy either one of these cameras but, if you do, you won’t be disappointed.
The Nikon D800: I’ve had mine now for a few months. I traded in my D5100 which I had for about a year. The majority of the work I do is landscape photography and this is where the D800 shines. It’ a 36.3 Megapixel full frame camera and it makes HUGE files. I have a fairly new laptop that I run Photomatix Pro, Lightroom and Photoshop on, and the thing goes into overdrive mode processing some of my images. The quality of files produced by the D800 is fabulous. The detail is breathtaking, and the fun you can have processing them last for hours.
The Nikon D4: I needed this camera for shooting action sports. Football mainly so far. Fast frames per second is what’s needed, (10fps for the D4) and the D4 will shoot for 10-20 seconds straight without filling up the buffer even in raw format. The high ISO capabilities of this camera are the best I have ever seen. With correct exposure metering I have no fears going even beyond 6400. This is a professional camera, with a professional pricetag. The D4 shoots full frame,16.2 megapixel images all day and never complains. It is a workhorse.
Comparison: Each camera has specific functions. Both are great cameras. Either can be used to do what the other was designed for, but when you use them for their raison d’etre they clearly outshine each other. In closing, remembera great photographer is not made by the camera. Anyone can make great images on cameras costing far less then these.
Now that the 2012 election is behind us it’s time to put the world back into perspective. If the candidate you wanted for president won, then congratulations, if not, you get to complain over the next four years (as long as you voted). Photography helps keep me grounded in times of business and helps me to focus on the eternal quest of capturing light. Sunrises and sunsets continue, as they have for millions of years, but each one is unique. This one graced my camera’s sensor a few days ago, back when the course of the country was up for grabs. Fortunately, beauty will continue to exist no matter who leads our great nation.
Nikon D800 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm f/9 ISO 100 7 image HDR
I’m not one to rant about trivial things, therefore election day is not a piece of fluff decorating the cake of democracy. The right to vote was one of the fundamental virtues this country was first empowered with. “Taxation without representation” was what the first patriots fought against. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and propaganda, or the insults and the bad behavior. That’s NOT what I’m talking about. Wars have been fought, millions of people have died, lives have been proudly given for the dream of democracy. The fragile idea that began our origins has blossomed into the most powerful country in the world. Today, make the Continental Congress delegates proud, let them know that democracy’s blood flows strong within America’s veins even after 236 years. Exercise the right given to you by God and not by any government. Make your voice heard today. Vote!