Shutterstock Photo Safari Contest Winning Image
Last week was a crazy week. I was heading to Michigan with a carload of four dogs when I got word from Shutterstock that I won their safari contest. I was thrilled, to say the least, but I’m not sure the dogs understood what all the whooping and hollering was about. Then, the following day, I got word from Matt Brandon (one of my favorite travel photographers) that my “Kids in Focus” project was picked to be the winner of his SoundSlides Plus Giveaway contest. I’m really pumped about this project and you can read more about it HERE. Needless to say, last week will be hard to top. So, on that note, I promised to give a little background on my Shutterstock winning image for those interested in the technical side of things. I would be lying to myself – and to all of you – if I didn’t tell you I love technology. There’s a new Intel commercial called “Generations” that I think probably defines my personality. So think of me when you see it 
I realize technology isn’t everything, but I do enjoy mixing things up from time to time and trying new mediums. Technology seems to motivate me on number of fronts, and possibly…dare I say it…”spur some creativity” from time to time.
Moving on…The winning Taj Mahal shot was taken with a digital medium format Phase One 645DF camera and a Mamiya 35mm lens. I had been researching digital medium formats for quite some time, and finally settled on the Phase One earlier this year. I acquired the 645DF primarily for my landscape photography. The advantages of the increase in quality from a digital medium format versus a 35mm digital camera have been questioned; some will argue the quality of a medium format is hands down better than any 35mm digital on the market today, and others will say there’s no discernible difference between the two. So here are my first hand observations: I have noticed a quality improvement in my images between the 645DF and my Canon 5D Mark II – most notably on how it handles depth, color and shadows. The Taj Mahal photo was a backlit scenario that normally would have been a little tricky to expose properly on my Mark II, but the Phase One seemed to handle it beautifully. I simply increased my exposure compensation by 1/3 stop so that I didn’t lose detail in the shadows and shot away. I was very impressed with the final images and the amount of detail that was retained in the shadow areas. The reason the Phase One handled this scenario a little better is simply because the dynamic range of the Phase One is slightly better than the Canon 5D Mark II, and I think in this case just enough to make a relatively sizable difference in the final image. The other thing shooting with a medium format does is slow you down. The P21 digital back that I used shoots 1 frame per second (fps) versus my 5D Mark II at 3.9 fps, so you tend to take a little more time making sure every frame counts. I find myself taking more time to compose the images also, to check settings and simply waiting longer to push the shutter button, hence why it’s great for landscape shots, but not great for the fast-action street photography. The medium format isn’t a magic bullet or a catch-all for every scenario, but for me it’s simply another tool to help me express my vision.
The reality is this: it doesn’t matter how fancy your equipment is or what it can do….. if you don’t have a clear vision for its use. I’ve seen plenty of amazing photos taken with simple point-and-shoots because the operator knew exactly what they were trying to achieve. Equipment is a “good” part of the equation, but as David duChemin says, “Vision is better.” I couldn’t agree more. However, the internal geek/photographer in me is never happier than when vision, equipment, and operation come together to create a lasting image. That’s when I say to myself. ”You’re finally getting it Batdorff,” even if the dogs don’t appreciate it…
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Congratulations. You certainly had a good week that was very well-deserved. They say things happen in threes, so what’s next?
Craig,
Thanks. I have no idea what I’ll do next…..Keep entering contest I guess..;)