171 take one

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South loop Saturday

172 pretty

Flowers outside the Robinson's house. Still lookin' in on the Fergus.

... via iPhone ...

173 sail away

I know it's not the ocean, but it's still a beach.... and a beautiful way to end the day!

... via iPhone ...

174 PEN E-P2

I have been thinking about photography a lot lately. I recently read a post about the constant search for the newest gear - and quite frankly it is impossible to keep up with the pace with which they release new products. I barely get my feet wet with my current camera and then boom - the next big thing. Not to mention the money!

Bottom line for me is that I need something portable. I need a camera that can travel with me. I need a camera that is lighter weight. I used to think I needed the full frame to get the best shot - and don't get me wrong, I love my 5DMII, but when you pop on the 24-70L it's a TANK! By the time you put this baby in your carry-on with laptop and etc. it's a back breaker!

Then there's the Leica D-Lux 5 - it's a great point-n-shoot, but I really do miss interchangeable lens options and the control of a DSLR. It could be operator error on my part, but it just doesn't feel right for travel shooting. So, I decided to see if I'd like the mirror-less technology. I mean ... isn't photography more about capturing the moment, having the "eye" and less about the equipment?

I decided to test drive the Olympus PEN E-P2. It's affordable and from what I've read it's not as fussy as the more sought after Fuji X100. Having just busted it out of the box - I can't say much. But within minutes of testing it does feel comfortable. I like the size. I like the weight. Image quality seems good on the few test shots I've taken. I do find the lens focusing a little noisy and slow. And the screen is strangely noisy. This could be a moot point if I stick with this and get the viewfinder mount. The photo below on the left is SOOC - on the right processed via VSCO iPad/iPhone app. Not bad ehh?

175 outliers

I attended a little film premiere called Outliers, Vol. I: Iceland. The work of a couple of my old photoblogger friends and a really talented group of their friends. Six guys from the US and Copenhagen meet in Iceland with the intent to capture the beauty of the people, landscape, architecture and anything between. Sounds simple, but was apparently a real trip. The film was visually stunning and the audio, just awesome. Check out the soundtrack here. And teasers of the film here.

... via iPhone ...

176 smoke stout caramel

= chocolate heaven!!!

I frequently pick up Vosges chocolates - I like their experimental combinations. Sometimes I love them, sometimes not so much ... but this smoke & stout bar is off the charts!!

... via iPhone ...

178/179

179 celebrating my friend Amanda's birthday

178 out with the old pillow top mattress and in with the new tempurpedic! I hope I'm gonna like it - smells like hell right now and I kinda miss my big fluffy bed. Hoping this change will help my back pain!!

... via iPhone ...

177 cirque and ferris

My coworkers and I came by some free tickets to the Cirque Shanghai show at the Skyline State at Navy Pier. So we headed down on the most beautiful Sunday to take in the show and finally, finally ride that damn ferris wheel. I've lived in Chicago for 17 years now and for whatever reason had never ridden. Now that I have, I have to say it's totally worth the six dollars. How funny is this ... out of the four of us, only one (Marcey) had ridden that damn ferris wheel before. And, come to find out Christina is not a fan of "rides" - she joked by putting on her bike helmet and conquered her fear of the ferris wheel!

Great views from up there. Maybe next time I will go at sunset - would be lovely with the sun going down behind the city. Sometimes its fun to be a tourist in my city. I feel very fortunate to live in a city that has so many things to do! Love. Love. Love it!

181 thru 184

Ack! I'm behind again!!! Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! Hope you did something fun to celebrate freedom! Here are my most recent daily photos.

184 : super score at Bloomies!

183: farm friendly drive to Indy

182: cupcakes at Indy's The Flying Cupcake - the coconut was great, chocolate was meh.

181 : Fergus friendly : I think I've made a new friend.

... via iPhone ...

185 thru 189

Oh I am horribly behind on my 365 photo posting. I take the photos and fail to post - boo! Been traveling quite a bit for work and life is just keeping me away from the computer - good for me, but bad for blogging. :) So ... here is my life according to instagr.am for days 189 thru 185.