I like to think I’m pretty good with my equipment and taking reasonable care of it. That the a7R III, for example, has lasted me 5+ years all over the globe, from the USA tour, to the Euro tour (as a backup), to Africa, Asia and most recently my Scottish adventure. You’ll note that I mention backup on the Euro tour. That’s because I’d decided back around that time to move to Hasselblad and their new X1D, as well as taking on an ambassadorial role with them. That’s not something I usually do for a brand but I liked the equipment after some time with the H5D and was interested to see how the support and relationship would be on a larger trip like our bus tour and photowalks from Portugal to Moscow (via loads of Europe). Anyway, on that very trip there was a “small” mishap with the X1D where I (and my team) left a train between Amsterdam and Rotterdam (i think) and well… the X1D continued onwards, alone, never to be seen again! Sorry Hasselblad!

As for the camera, soooo slow…. but that thing did take AWESOME images.

Note: I’m no longer a Hasselblad Ambassador. A mutual, uneventful end to the relationship when they decided to take their ambassador program in a different direction. I’m sure it was nothing to do with losing some of their high-end kit… probably.

The Hasselblad X1D Incident

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-05-02 19:35:25
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time16
• Aperture16
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

I think this might be the most underrated city in Europe! Most people that go to Portugal only hit Lisbon, which is great indeed, but this little gem is only a few hours north. It’s where I began my 100km hike on the Camino de Santiago. I spent about a week here exploring the city, having a ton of amazing food, and taking photos. Even better, the whole place was very inexpensive. It’s a great destination and I could not recommend it more, so definitely split any time you have between Lisbon and here. 🙂

By the River in Porto

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-25 21:10:42
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time8
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

On Day 1 at Camp Walter, we all take a break to come together to discuss our plans for the week. During this meeting a few years ago, a brutal sandstorm blew in while we were handing out assignments. Luckily, I never have to do any real work since I am kinda the camp photographer. This is also lucky, because I tend to be incredibly lazy when it comes to actual hard labor. In the end though, everyone wins as my skills are limited so they’d all need to follow me around and re-do my work anyway. 🙂

Meeting in the Storm

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-08-29 15:32:01
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/750
• Aperture3.2
• ISO100
• Focal Length90.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

This was another long exposure outside of this radical apartment complex in Rotterdam. We stopped here along the European tour for another drunken night of partying and taking photos. One can make an argument that most of the European tour had too many drunken nights. Another can make an argument there was just the right amount. I have a bizarre ability to take some rather interesting photos when inebriated. I’m not necessarily proud of this, but it does seem to be at least somewhat true.

Living in Rotterdam

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-05-15 22:58:31
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time32
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

This came from a single RAW file, which was actually the case with over half my HDRs I processed from Japan. Changed times from the old Nikon 7 exposure days!

Autumn Gardens in Kyoto

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-11-07 17:27:46
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/750
• Aperture3.5
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias-2/3

I think this is my new favorite area of Tokyo! It’s close to Shinjuku and it’s composed of about 3 small streets (almost alleys), and each one has about 30 bars jammed into it. But most of the bars only seat like 7-9 people. It’s so cool! Some disappear up into dark stairs and the great unknown. Some bars are quite old, and you can go there if you’re a regular, and buy a big bottle of sake and they will just label it and leave it there for you, every time you come back. I’ve only visited two bars here, but I’m about to up those numbers when I go back.

Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

1 AM In Golden Gai

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-07-16 16:50:17
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/10
• Aperture5.6
• ISO1600
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Of all of Gaudi’s masterworks, this is definitely the most impressive. It’s a shame he never got to see it before he died. The guy is an absolute genius. To be able to design all of this on paper is just well beyond my scope of creativity. It would be hard enough just doing it with today’s computers and architecture/design programs.

I did get some special access here to be able to go up to the balcony where the Pope gets to chill when he comes for services. The photos up there were also quite spectacular. I could have spent all day in here.

Barcelona, Spain

The Gaudi Masterpiece

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 08:27:25
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Almost decision time… do I stop in Japan on the way home? Very tempting!

Japan?

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-11-03 01:10:21
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time6
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length45.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias-4/3

I was trying to find this image for a little project, something for Nat Geo, and it turned out not to be in my Smugmug but was on Flickr… which means it may never have made it to the blog! So here it is, a fun shot from Tokyo with the X1D as a little palate cleanser before more Burning Man images.

Overlooked

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-11-04 04:52:08
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time16
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias+2/3