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641-831-0186
Photography, Audio and Acoustical Solutions, Telecommunications
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Essays and Product Reviews
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Introduction:
These pages are my opinions and thoughts on a wide ranging set of topics mostly related to photography. To me, photography is an art-form, craft, creative outlet and business. My mind is constantly engineering solutions to various problems whether real or contrived, and like a comedian, able to find links between seemingly disparate subjects. As time allows, I'll write about these.
Technology is a dangerous thing. Especially to a photographer. I'm usually more interested in technique than technology. All of the technology in the world will not help you, the photographer, if you can't figure out which is the pointy end of the camera. But that doesn't mean I'm opposed to new technologies--far from it. I have a background in product development, product management and marketing in high-tech industries. I'm apposed to technology that doesn't actually improve things but is designed to appeal to our "gotta-have-it" senses for no real productive reason. As an artist and craftsman, I prefer tools that fit me. Some of my tools would be considered "retro" but I use them for specific purposes.
Photo to the right was taken in the Porcupine Mountains with the Minolta A1.
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I had finally given in to the digital age and purchased a Minolta A1. I benchmarked this camera and am showing the results of those tests in links below. This camera, along with it's newer sibling, the A2, are revolutionary products not necessarily in imaging quality, since many other digital cameras exhibit far superior traits, but in usability and configurability. You may be interested in why I selected a "prosumer" camera instead of a regular DSLR. The answer to this is in the page "Compromise is Good, The Minolta A1"
My kit now includes an Olympus E-1 and the 14-54mm zoom lens. This is a most excellent camera and I use it as my primary camera for portraiture, wedding and event photography. The Minolta A1 remains my primary camera for industrial photography as the live preview, articulating finder and increased depth of field greatly improve the shooting experience and I'm able to take pictures in extremely tight environments like telephone equipment rooms. Both cameras take similar pictures and I've been able to match image color between the two systems.
My primary gear for the past 18 years has been the Olympus OM system. This equipment has been a fine balance of features, quality and ergonomics. Today, this equipment is pretty much viewed as old technology and out of the mainstream, but still performs well and produces excellent images. Many of my OM lenses find new uses on my Olympus E-1 where they are more than adequate for much of my work. I also shoot large-format with a 1964 Crown Graphic.
Opinions. That's what I'm writing here. If you happen to disagree with some of my assessments, that's perfectly OK, and I'd love to hear from you. I'm a reasonable person and perfectly willing to accept that I might be in error on something. In fact, I welcome your feedback. -Ken
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Wet Leaves, Isle Royale National Park
OM-4, 50/3.5, Delta 100, Silver-Gelatin Print
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