10 Comments

So, when I do any ride I just use my Pixel 6. Why did you decide to take your Nikon and not just use your Pixel (maybe you have another cell phone now).

Expand full comment
author

I brought the Nikon for quality reasons. My Pixel 6 doesn't have the quality that the Nikon does. I also wanted the ability to be able to shoot telephoto. I find when I photograph from the road, the majority of my shots are telephoto. I also wanted the image quality I get from the Nikon in case I sell a magazine article about the trip.

In an ideal world, Nikon would have put its Expeed 7 processor in a APS-C body with a 40mp sensor and a body size of the Z 50. That'd be a near perfect camera for me for biking.

If I do another trip if this type, I'll be using a much different luggage system (Tailfin plus Cyclite) with a better bag to carry a camera (Cyclite Handle Bar Aero Bag) and a better overall aero profile for the bike. The bikepacking setup wasn't really needed on this ride and rear paniers would have made it much easier to pack.

Expand full comment

Awesome thanks for sharing

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing your trip with me! I LOVE the pictures of the trees in their fall glory!

Expand full comment

Love the photos. Looking forward to hearing more about the trip and how you planned for it and gear you used. Sounds like a fantastic time. Glad you were able to do it.

Expand full comment

I love the sunset photo! I was a little bit surprised to see how you placed the sun in the center of the image, but that makes it very satisfying and mesmerizing to look at!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. Centering subjects or compositional elements tends to draw a viewer's attention directly to the center and often creates a peaceful or calming feeling.

It's a falsity in photography that subjects must always be offset from the center. I think it stems from photography teachers and writes continuing to spread the myth that the "Rule of Thirds" is real and actually works. It is a false rule with no basis in reality.

As Edward Weston said, “Good composition is merely the strongest way of seeing.” When centering the subject is the strongest way of seeing and the strongest way to achieve the emotional reaction that you want the viewer to have, the subject should be centered.

Expand full comment

I've used the rule of thirds as a guideline, feeling free to break it when necessary, but I really like the approach of "the strongest way of seeing." Thank you!

Expand full comment
author

If you want to read more about why the rule of thirds is fake, Bruce Barnbaum covers it in the first edition of The Art of Photography. Basically, it was completely made up during a manipulated study.

Expand full comment

Holy smokes! I'm definitely going to read that!!

Expand full comment