X100 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

jamesbf · 01-06-2012

I recently went to Central America. I've never been to a country like Honduras before. It was quite an eye opener for me. People I met were super friendly, I Will be back!

Technical note- As much as I love my X100, the auto focus failed me a few times which was quite disappointing. I've only recently discovered the Auto focus correction feature in the menu (found it today) so I'll be testing that out over the next few days. For these shots I used Velia & Monochrome film simulations. I used Silver FX for the B&W post and didn't do too much post on the colour images. Please feel free to comment and critique my photos. I'm still trying to find my place as a photographer.

elmer3.5 · 01-06-2012

Nice shots! I found the x100 to have a fine dynamic range, doesn´t it?

Bye and keep posting your shots on honduras!

exiled4979 · 01-06-2012

not bad, not bad at all

some of those are fantastic!

@elmer3.5 oh, yeah, x100 has a really impressive DR, definitely among top APS-C cameras, if not the top

DaveO · 01-06-2012

Why a picture of a horses butt?

35mmdelux · 01-06-2012

Nice shots. Fortunately the horse didn't poop.

I've had lots of great times in Central America. When you return, be careful as Tegucigalpa can be a very dangerous place. Regards -

PS: Welcome aboard!

koven · 01-06-2012

Love that last shot and all the others! To me the black and white shots are amazing composition wise but i feel like they are a bit over exposed in regards to processing.

rbelyell · 01-06-2012

i really enjoyed your photo essay and think you have a great eye for composition.

if i may respectfully comment as i have and love my x100:

re AF, yes shrinking the af box does help, as does setting the cam to mf and using the AFL button to focus. this has rarely failed me, except in very low light when i use the first technique together with spot metering.

i shoot color in provia because velvia decreases DR by clipping shadows. if you shoot velvia, try setting it to auto DR and setting 'shadow tone' to lowest setting.

out of box b&w is superb. try the OOB image instead of running it through EFEX, even though thats a great piece of software you might find you like the straight out of box images better.

ksporry · 01-06-2012

I love them too. The B&W are amazing. SOme may have bene over exposed a little,but it does add to the photo in my opinion.

I got the X100 as well, and I have to say the image quality really blows my mind! The pics are so sharp that they physically cut into my retina!

I'm looking forward to the X-Pro1 that Fuji is about to release. With some Zeiss glass... drool...

MIkhail · 01-06-2012

I see couple pretty decent shots -those with dogs.

Regarding the street shots with people, i woul suggest couple things: tryto get close to people, really close, and build your composition based in several plans. You know, foregownd, background, middle plan. Most of yourvshots are of one plane.
Also for a story you want to have some closeups as well as some wide shots to mix it up for more interest.

Good luck.

jamesbf · 01-07-2012

@elmer3.5 Thanks for the comment & Yes the dynamic range is great on the camera!

@exiled4979 - thanks for the kind words!

@DaveO - My father asked the same question. Not your thing?

@35mmdelux - Yes, I've heard many stories about the dangers of Tegucigalpa. Thankfully we knew some people who lived there and travelled around with them most of the time. We had some close calls on the highway from the transport truck drivers. Thinking back, I was walking around some of those streets by myself with a camera that costs more then most of their cars. Thank god I wasn't robbed.

@rblyell - Thanks very much for the comments. I have more photos from Tegu on my flickr account in my signature. I used to shoot provia or one of the other standard styles but for this trip I switched to velvia. Why? not sure. Just liked the rich colours I guess. I'll try the DR on auto to see how it works. Thanks for the info man.

@ksporry - thanks so much for the comment. Some may seem a little over exposed and / or contrasty but I did process these specifically for that look. Maybe things will change over time - I am still relatively new to this art form. And MAN, I cannot wait to check out the X-Pro1 Really really want to see whats up with that. I've been on the edge with buying an M8 (would prefer the M9, but way too much $ for my blood) but I'm totally going to wait to see the X-pro1. Its funny, I use my x100 more often the my 5Dii (which was purchased for video work - which ties into my day job)

@MIkhail - Thank you for those notes. Not trying to make excuses for myself but it was pretty difficult to get most of those people 'street' shots. It seemed that most of the time my instincts were telling me "take the shot and get the hell out of there". Unlike anywhere else I've been I felt like quite the spectacle - absolutely everybody was starring at me - checking out what I was doing and trying to figure out my intentions. And yes - including those with loaded shotguns. Ha. I must say though, I never really felt as if I was in immediate danger. Anyhow, thanks again and take care.

rbelyell · 01-07-2012

james read your comments and had to comment re 5d: i loved mine, but i actually traded it to a guy for a new x100, and i'm so happy i did! the x100 low light performance blows the 5d away from 1600 on. in regular light the 'pop' of the x100 is reminiscent of the 5d and zeiss planar lenses. i couldnt be happier with it. i'm not looking forward to the S1 pro because it won't be FF, and i doubt i'd buy another cam that destroys the FL of my much loved lenses. having said that, i do think that cam is going to set a new standard for mirrorless.

ps, for the velvia setting, dont forget to set 'Shadow Tone' to the lowest setting, that prevents the clipping about which i spoke and that you see in some of your shots.

segedi · 01-07-2012

Brilliant work. Thanks for sharing.

jamesbf · 01-08-2012

Thank you very much Segedi.

@rbelyell we'll just have to wait and see what the new xpro1 has to offer. Im really excited to find out! Otherwise I'm also hoping this will inspire leica (and others) to release a consumer priced rangefinder. I have a QL17 giii and love it, but for the time being I prefer digital. Also, thanks for the tip with the velvia setting.

SolaresLarrave · 01-08-2012

Nice job! The last time I was in Tegucigalpa I saw a very different side of the town.

Now... from your title, I thought you had SEEN an X100 in Tegucigalpa, and I was ready to counter with my having seen one in use in Mendoza, Argentina.

Seems you liked the place... I am glad you went! Looks like you really milked the potential of the place. Take care and thanks for posting these shots!

jamesbf · 01-09-2012

SolaresLarrave,
Thanks for the comments man. I would love to hear about your experience in Tegu!

boomguy57 · 03-28-2012

Very nice collection...I love my X100 and it has become my constant companion. Central America can be dangerous, but the X100 is unassuming enough that you're probably okay if you use common sense.

More pictures?