Lost in the Midwest: Because He lives

Lynchburg, Ohio. (click on image to enlarge)

Photography: The Times Are Changing

Kirk Tuck has written on his blog - The Visual Science Lab:
“The dependence on the big tools is fading. No one in the emerging new (photographers) group seemed to care about the stuff that we craved when we first were dragged, kicking, screaming and denying, into digital. They don't care about big cameras or enormous lenses. They aren't captivated by more resolution. They look for cameras that are fast and fluid and casual. They want good high ISO performance and small overall profiles.

They are looking for good industrial design to be coequal with good technical specs. Think iPhone as opposed to the original Motorola "brick." For them, the camera is an extension of hand and eye, not a puzzle or equation to be mastered. They want their cameras to be as operationally transparent as an iPhone or an iPad.”

The Fuji X10 - on the left - and the Nikon D2x - on the right - are my today and yesterday tools. The Nikon is still used for fast action sports when long lenses are required. Otherwise it and the Nikon system of lenses remain at home. The X10 with its zoom lens covers - quickly and easily - my choice of subjects. With the ability to produce 16x20 prints that meet my standards, the Fuji is the first "go to" camera.

These three cameras - Fuji X10, Fuji X100, Minolta CLE - are my everyday tools. Together, they weigh less than the Nikon with a lens and they provide a varitey of possibilites. The digital X10 covers a wide angle (28mm) to a short telephoto (110 mm). The digital X100 has a fixed lens (35mm) that is a favorite focal length. Ideal for environmental portraits of people and places. Both cameras produce color images that are rich with full range of values. The Minolta is a film camera that uses the Leica M- mount lenses. Having several M-mount lenses - 12mm -135mm- many choices are available. While color film could be used, it is only used with black and white film. Rather than converting a color digital image to black and white the CLE film image is direct and can be wet printed or changed to a digital image. While these cameras are small, light in weight they are not "downsizing" my photography. Rather as Kirk Tuck has written, " they are fast and fluid and casual" which has changed - for the better - my way of working.

Lost in the Midwest: Barber Pole

Lynchburg, Ohio. Small communities have few service facilites. Sometimes a general store, maybe a post office, often a bar/tavern, and a beauty and/or barber shop. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Grain Elevator

Washington Court House, Ohio. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Faded Jewel

Washington Court House. Once an active, exciting location, now dark. First the Blockbuster's of the world, then the movies by mail and finaly downloads on demand. They all have contributed to closing of local small town movie theaters. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: PRAY

Richmond, Indiana. Enjoy and give thanks on this special day. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Detail

Washington Court House, Ohio. Many of today's buildings are like pole barns. A simple shell for the outside with an inside designed to fit the needs of the user. Older buildings often have small exterior details that make the structure unique. Looking and sometimes seeing makes for a meaningful journey. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Looking Up and Seeing This

Washington Court House, Ohio. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Yet Another Lodge Hall

Washington Court House, Ohio (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest; Bingo

Washington Court House, Ohio. For many in the Midwest, Bingo is the active sport of their life. Often well attended and played with great gusto. In some places smoking is allowed and in others not. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Castle Bail Bonds

Washington Court House, Ohio. Directly across the street from the court house and open on a early Sunday morning. Handy for those Saturday night events. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Enslen's

Washington Court House, Ohio. Never know what can be seen by wandering down a back street.
Enslen's is long gone but the sign remains as a reminder of a different time. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Another Day-Another Closing

Washington Court House, Ohio. With video's in the mail or downloaded on demand, Blockbuster and local stores are closing. No need to leave home. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Strip Mall

Washington Court House, Ohio. The usual strip mall suspects. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Trends

Washington Court House, Ohio. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: County Court House

Washington Court House, Ohio. The county seat of Fayette County with a population of almost 14,200. (Click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Something for Everyone

Parker City, Indiana. No national franchises here. Good to see local establishments doing well in these times.(Click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Our Small Town

Parker City, Indiana. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Sign of the Day

Parker City, Indiana. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana. Ludco Gun Shop

Parker City, Indiana. Returned to Parker City for a couple of reasons. First, to identify what, if any, changes have occured since my last visit-over a year ago. While not much has changed I did find that the gun shop moved to a new location. Second, to check out/test some different photographic equipment-more on that in a later post. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Two Flags

Jamestown, Ohio. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Waiting To Be Used

Jamestown, Ohio. Once a landmark building and now completely boarded up. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Because of the Brave

Jamestown, Ohio. From their web page-"A Progressive Community of Farmers, Families, and Friends". Jamestown, located in Greene County, is a village of less than 2000. (click on image to enlarge)