Grand National Roadster Show
The GNRS is for the dreamers. The tinkers, the artists, the guys and gals who live with greasy fingers, smelling of gasoline. This isn’t SEMA. This isn’t Car’s and Coffee. You won’t find showroom floor rebuilds here. Many of the vehicles on display are in various stages of their lives. A chopped ‘56 Bel Air may bare raw steel doors one year, only to be painted green with gold flake the year after. Hotrod’s and Custom’s are often never complete. What I love most about GNRS is the personality that shouts from the vehicles. Most builders here treat their rides like family. These are their children, their best friends, their loyal companions. There is a level of respect here not often found.
Book tickets to attend the next show here: Grand National Roaster Show.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2, 18mm f/2 lens.
Into the Damp
If you want to see the colors change in Southern California, you need to look closely. Our local hills are covered in moss, mushrooms and various fungi during the winter. After a good rain, the damp sets in and the forest comes alive. During a recent mountain bike ride, I grabbed my camera backpack in place of my usual hydration pack. I knew I would be in for a treat after a solid week of rain. My iPhone wouldn’t cut it. This area up Silverado Canyon into Maple Springs, is littered with bountiful colors, if you pay attention.
This stump looks like it could be a good 12-inches wide. Nope, it was barely an inch across. The intricate spiral shapes caught my eye.
How many colors can you spot?
I haven’t been able to spot what I call, “Natures Eyelash”, since this day.
My favorite image of the day. This bright yellow and orange mushroom lit up like a flashlight as I passed.
I was thoroughly impressed with my Fuji 35mm f/2 lens getting up close. It is not a macro lens in any way. However, I think it did a fine job showing its capabilities. These little yellow fungi soldiers were mere centimeters in size.
Fresh mountain lions tracks. Stay alert out there.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2 with 35mm f/2 lens.
Taliesin West
Something you may not know about me is my love for Architecture. When it comes to admiring some of the best to ever do it, you cannot escape the name Frank Lloyd Wright. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taliesin West began construction in 1937 as the creators winter home. To say that the man created a deep connection with the desert landscape would be speaking lightly. Everything on the grounds seems to sprout from the ground itself. There’s a sort of magic in the air here.
Taliesin West is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. It is also home to The School of Architecture at Taliesin. If you decide to take the guided tour, which I highly recommend, you will learn all about the grounds history, construction, fires on the property, and the active school grounds. Please be courteous of the volunteers and the students you may run into while visiting.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2, 18mm f/2 lens.
Nelson Ghost Town
Looking for something to do while visiting Las Vegas? 45 minutes outside the city you can venture into what seems like the middle of nowhere and come upon an abandoned mining town. Before Vegas or even Nevada, this area was called Eldorado Canyon. The Spanish were first to discover the riches that lay buried deep into the soil of this place. In 1861, the Techatticup Mine was discovered, leading to what you may guess; greed, corruption and violence.
Much of this great country during the mid 1800’s was on the brink of war, one way or another. Fighting over land, gold, even people sadly. Money was the name of the game and people did just about anything to get their hands on it. Before long, the mine was overrun by bandits, quickly sending any normal folk away from the area. A boomtown arose in the area as riches kept pouring from the mine. For nearly 80 years, the town ran under unlawful ways until eventually, the law prevailed.
The mine was finally depleted and closed off in 1941. The nearby down of Nelson, NV sprung up shortly after with the first gas station in the area. Highways eventually followed, giving cross-country travelers a much needed rest stop along their journey. Years later, a massive flood covered the area and washed much of the town and everything in the area away. What is left is now a collection of old buildings, cars, trucks, fuel station equipment, and even a couple airplanes.
Nelson Ghost Town has been used in numerous movies and is popular for weddings and photoshoots. You can even book a tour if you are so inclined to get an in-depth look from the people who now take care of the land.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your trip.
Bring a good pair of walking shoes, or hiking boots. Unless you are inside the main lodge building, you will be walking on dirt most of the day. Some of the old building have left pieces of wood and nails scattered. Keep an eye of where you place your feet while walking the grounds. Also, keep in mind that you are in the middle of the Mojave desert. Depending on the time of year you visit, rattlesnakes may be out and about.
There is a sort of visitors center but I would plan on bringing your own food and water. The summer heat in the area can takeover your day and if nobody is around, you could find yourself out here without services.
There is no cellular service in the area.
Fuel up your vehicle in Vegas or Boulder City. The drive isn’t long but if you run out of fuel near Nelson, you have zero options.
Bring a camera!
All photographs shot on my Fujilfilm X-Pro 2 with 35mm f/2 lens.
This gallery was originally posted on A Gentleman’s Word. For more information about AGW, please visit my About Page.
Spoiled With Updates
Fujifilm just dropped a boat load of new firmware updates for the X-T1, X-E2 and the list goes on. Since the launch of the X100 and X-Pro1, they've been listening to their customers and providing something NO OTHER camera maker has ever done. Sure, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Leica and others provide updates, but not like Fujifilm updates. We're talking completely new autofocus settings, speed, menu controls and more. Most merely provide bug fixes.
I, for one, think this is a great thing. Since my first X-T1, new updates have increased the speed of the camera, it's autofocus capabilities and cleaned up a few bugs along the way. Unfortunately, it seems that there are as many people out there bitching and moaning post updates because they didn't get exactly what they wanted. I picture these people as whiny brats holding their breath while stopping their feet. Yup.
Fujifilm camera owners have become spoiled with updates. They not only want their cameras to be "something new" every season, they now expect it. I realize that this post may not win me over a ton of new fans and followers, but so be it. If nobody else is going to be brave enough to say it, I will.
Unless Fujifilm is fixing bugs, please stop expecting things for free. Yes, free. You don't think updates cost anything? Stop being ridiculous. Who do you think is pouring over codes to help resolve the bugs and write new firmware updates to provide you with a new shooting experience, Santa's Elves? Believe it or not, Fujifilm employs actual human beings to work on those magical picture making machines we all love so much. I know, crazy right?
X100T owners are at the top of the Fujifilm head chopping block today. They are hungry for updates to their precious cameras. Hey, I have no problem with people wanting updates and bug fixes, just stop complaining about it already. Remember when the new camera launched and you visited your local camera shop all excited to pick it up? Remember when you snapped your first image and a smile rushed across your face? Remember over the past year all the wonderful images your current camera has created for your website and portfolio? It's still that camera regardless of a new update.
But, alas, you want more. Okay, I get it. Think about this. Would you rather go back to shooting DSLR being hopeful to ever receive even a bug update once a year? Only getting new core capabilities by purchasing a new $3000 camera body? The only lens updates you'll ever see come in a new box that just made your credit card sad? I thought not.
So, do I want more? Certainly. I'd love to see more features dropped into my X-T1. I'd love to see the new ACROS film simulation added that is coming in the X-Pro2. I'd love to see the AF get even faster. But, I am perfectly happy with the camera as it sits in my bag today. The currently configuration isn't stopping me from creating images that make me happy. Now get out there and create something and remember, the biggest limitation in your photography is you, not your gear. Cheers.
SEMA 2016 P2
What most of you have come here for, the Trucks and Off-Road vehicles of SEMA 2016. So many great NEW builds popped up this year. That is definitely worth noting as we often see rebuilt, repurposed and over-used vehicles brought back year after year. It was refreshing getting to lay eyes on so new creations. SEMA may be an industry only event but I highly suggest you try and come to Las Vegas during the show. There is plenty you can still see in the outdoor areas that are open to the public. That includes most of the live driving demonstrations that happen throughout the entire SEMA week. Enjoy part two, Trucks and Off-Road.
Photography: Jordan May
All of these photographs were taken with my Fujifilm X-T1 and 18mm lens.
This gallery was originally posted to. A Gentleman’s Word.
SEMA 2016 P1
Welcome to the 2016 SEMA Show in the fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. This marks my 8th year covering the show. This year my agenda ran slightly different than in years past. Without an official plan, I was able to spend much more time shooting vehicles that interested me as well as meet more owners. In the past, I was typically sent to this booth, to that truck, to talk to these people. It was nice wandering around photographing the show in a way that my viewers enjoy. I decided to split this years gallery in two. Not only is there a huge amount of photographs I want to share, I thought it would be appropriate to separate the Trucks and Off-Road vehicles. Enjoy part one, Hotrods and Customs.
Photography: Jordan May
All of these photographs were taken with my Fujifilm X-T1 and 18mm lens.
This gallery was originally posted to A Gentleman’s Word. To learn more about AGW, please visit my about page.