phil barnes photography

Thats really me. I look different now.

Welcome!  This is my photoblog/website dedicated to photography and is primarily to place to display my photography and muse about the visual world.  Please also look at the technique page for photography and digital darkroom tips and tricks.  Yes, thats me in the photo.  I look the same as when I was seven, I’ve outgrown the pants though.

Photography Philosophy  I’ll shoot anything that will bounce light, within reason.  Honestly, I have great ambivalence when it comes to photography.  So why do it then?  Because when I see a really great image time stops.  And since I am getting older that is important. Seriously, I enjoy photography because I am always looking at something and thinking that would make a great photo and it is great fun to see what happens when you push the shutter button, so thats why.  Also, the art and craft of photography is never ending.  There are an endless number of subjects to photograph in an endless ways, and there is an endless number of ways to process and present that image afterward. Who knows, just one image might make me famous, not that I am concerned with this, of course .  Well, the point of this blog site is to show off my work.  I hope you enjoy it.

Equipment Philosophy  Philosophically, equipment does not matter and is really an issue of preference, convenience and practicality.  I love landscape photography and would love to someday own a 4×5 field camera so I could make huge detailed prints.  I think there is something romantic about the methodical approach required for large format photography.  And the results, well, unbelievable, especially considering this is some of the oldest photography technology.  But, alas, I know that a 4×5 setup would not get much use as I do not enjoy only landscape work and would, therefore, spend most of it’s time in the closet. I do own an old Atlas medium format camera that my father gave to me.  I’ve taken one roll of film since I received the camera more than two years ago and still have not yet gotten around to developing the film.  I really should do that.  In a nutshell is why one digital system is the best for me.  Fast, simple, and flexible. Digital rocks!  I should be so lucky to be here when it all began.  I’ve already had to try and explain film to my 4 year old, who’s birth, by the way, ushered in my first dSLR.  For those interested in such things, I use Canon cameras. I have owed a 20D and a 40D, and am currently using a 5D.    The 5D Mark II looks nice, it has everything.  I’m saving up. I do my post processing on a Mac so I don’t have to mess with viruses and annual overhauls/reinstalls. Sorry Bill Gates.  I use Photoshop (surprise!) for post processing. Maybe one day I’ll use Lightroom.  For printing, I have am using an Epson 2880.

I feel like its vanity, right, to list out all my gear, but the tech part is as fun as the photos so here goes:

Camera Gear

• Canon 5D
• Canon 17-40mm f/4L
• Canon 70-200 f/4L
• Canon 24-105 f/4L
• Canon 1.4x Tele extender
• Canon 430EX Flash
• Vivitar 283 flash with photo slave
• Manfrotto Proball tripod head (heavy)
• Bogen 3021 tripod (also heavy)
• One of those flexy three-legged tripods that I use with the Vivitar Flash

Wish list:

• Canon 5D Mark II (or other full frame Canon)
• Primes!
• More time to make pictures!

I also have a selection of filters for the various lenses I use.  I store my stuff in an overly complicated photo pack that I try and not take with me.