Pentax won another round today

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 07:51 PM - **12 Likes**

I took a commission a few weeks ago with a local restaurant, as I know the owner and he knows I occasionally do assignments.

He is rebranding his restaurant to be more upscale, and he want's to give it a "gallery" feel where customers can buy the artwork off the walls if they want.

He hired a locally known Artist who has been pretty successful in restaurant "maker-overs" and when he asked if I might work with the artist and contribute, I agreed, but didn't have high hopes.

I talked with the artist and we sat down and talked about what his vision was going to be. It was a pretty good vision that centered on the historical aspects of the town I live in. Citrus, the railroad, and lots of 1940's and 1950's Americana charm.

I said I would take a week and shoot some of the local icons and images so that they'd fit his vision, and would serve as the first set of images that would be part of the new gallery/restaurant.

Over the following week, I took night photography well into the early morning hours, getting images that showed an aesthetic absent of people. Black and white to fit with the feel of his vision.

Well, today I showed the proofs and he just kept saying "Boom-shacka-lacka".
He was floored with the dynamic range of the images and how crisp and sharp the images were.

He also knew that it's hot and humid and raining in Florida this time of year and the weather to get the images was not insignificant.

He then asked what kind of camera I used.

I said Pentax.

"What?! Pentax?!? You have GOT to be kidding me?!?"

He could not believe the output was coming from a non-Canikony camera. He was floored. He stared and stared at the detail from the FA 31mm LTD.

In the image below, I kept magnifying the Michelin Man on the tire, and his jaw kept dropping at the resolution as the detail kept up with the cropping/zooming.

So whatever happens with Ricoh in the coming weeks or months or years, it will be a wonderful footnote that Pentax made the K5/K5II/K5IIs.

I feel sad that Ricoh may not keep this kind of excellence alive.

As far as I am concerned, the K5 series of DSLRs are the best Pentax cameras ever made. When coupled with the FA 31mm Limited and DA*16-50 and DA*50-135 lenses and other optic stars, it's pure photographic magic.

Pentax won a huge fan in this local artist and he's already talking about sending more assignments my way.

(oh joy. I prefer being a hermit )

Note: The images here are not the full resolution images I showed to the client...but you get the idea!

Last edited by LaurenOE; 08-12-2013 at 08:55 PM.

Franky2step · 08-12-2013, 08:42 PM

That tractor image is stunning. Great to see how you've mastered the K5

Uluru · 08-12-2013, 08:48 PM

Wonderful way to express your creativity. Thank you for posting; all images are really beautiful.

**MSL** · 08-12-2013, 08:52 PM

All I can say is "Boom-shacka-lacka" and great images and great story.

**crewl1** · 08-12-2013, 08:54 PM

Fine work Lauren. Congrats and keep doing us proud.

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by Franky2step

That tractor image is stunning. Great to see how you've mastered the K5

Originally posted by Uluru

Wonderful way to express your creativity. Thank you for posting; all images are really beautiful.

Originally posted by MSL

All I can say is "Boom-shacka-lacka" and great images and great story.

Originally posted by crewl1

Fine work Lauren. Congrats and keep doing us proud.

Thanks all.
Sitting in the rain and humidity, at 2am in the morning with the steamy summer rain slowly evaporating, (while the Police wonder what I am doing) makes me love my companion that is there with me. The K5 is such an awesome tool.

A lonely summer night in our downtown.

Small-town America.

**MSL** · 08-12-2013, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

(while the Police wonder what I am doing)

Did they come and talk to you at any point?

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 09:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MSL

Did they come and talk to you at any point?

Nah. For the most part we have a very cool Police force in my town.
They are required to have a 4 year college degree and they are paid very well.
They are very well aware of photographer's rights in public places.
Some of the best of the best try and work here.
Not your typical "Police and photographer" interactions.

Also, being so close to Disney, our town is often used as a movie/television set and we have an active theatre in our downtown.

We have plays and live performances in our restored Theatre.
I am VERY fortunate to live in such a wonderful place.

(Except for the Summer heat)

**MSL** · 08-12-2013, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

They are very well aware of photographer's rights in public places.

Not so much thinking about your rights, just whether they thought your activity was suspicious enough to want to talk to you further. Near my house is a pathway that leads to a public school. I was out photographing some local flowers or bugs or whatnot, with whatever lens attached to some long set of extension tubes. Now you and I know I couldn't have focused on anything more than 2 inches away. But I got the feeling a few of the parents wandering back and forth thought otherwise. Oddly though, nobody bothered to ask me what I was up to as I would have been happy to explain. It doesn't take much for people to guess wrong intentions.

**monochrome** · 08-12-2013, 09:21 PM

Wow - just jaw-droppingly beautiful.

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 09:22 PM - **1 Like**

As there are no Oranges in Florida in August, I had to bring my own to the local packing plant to get this image.

Heller Oranges are our local brand!

**MSL** · 08-12-2013, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

As there are no Oranges in Florida in August, I had to bring my own to the local packing plant to get this image.

Too funny. Keep the snippets coming. This is storytelling at its finest.

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 09:28 PM

The last stop

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 09:31 PM - **1 Like**

A reflection of an American small town cliché?

Or just a clichéd reflection?

**LaurenOE** · 08-12-2013, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by MSL

Not so much thinking about your rights, just whether they thought your activity was suspicious enough to want to talk to you further. Near my house is a pathway that leads to a public school. I was out photographing some local flowers or bugs or whatnot, with whatever lens attached to some long set of extension tubes. Now you and I know I couldn't have focused on anything more than 2 inches away. But I got the feeling a few of the parents wandering back and forth thought otherwise. Oddly though, nobody bothered to ask me what I was up to as I would have been happy to explain. It doesn't take much for people to guess wrong intentions.

True. But, I'm fat and female, so I tend to get a free pass on "suspected nefarious activity"

Originally posted by monochrome

Wow - just jaw-droppingly beautiful.

Thanks!

08-12-2013, 07:51 PM - 12 Likes	#1
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Pentax won another round today I took a commission a few weeks ago with a local restaurant, as I know the owner and he knows I occasionally do assignments. He is rebranding his restaurant to be more upscale, and he want's to give it a "gallery" feel where customers can buy the artwork off the walls if they want. He hired a locally known Artist who has been pretty successful in restaurant "maker-overs" and when he asked if I might work with the artist and contribute, I agreed, but didn't have high hopes. I talked with the artist and we sat down and talked about what his vision was going to be. It was a pretty good vision that centered on the historical aspects of the town I live in. Citrus, the railroad, and lots of 1940's and 1950's Americana charm. I said I would take a week and shoot some of the local icons and images so that they'd fit his vision, and would serve as the first set of images that would be part of the new gallery/restaurant. Over the following week, I took night photography well into the early morning hours, getting images that showed an aesthetic absent of people. Black and white to fit with the feel of his vision. Well, today I showed the proofs and he just kept saying "Boom-shacka-lacka". He was floored with the dynamic range of the images and how crisp and sharp the images were. He also knew that it's hot and humid and raining in Florida this time of year and the weather to get the images was not insignificant. He then asked what kind of camera I used. I said Pentax. "What?! Pentax?!? You have GOT to be kidding me?!?" He could not believe the output was coming from a non-Canikony camera. He was floored. He stared and stared at the detail from the FA 31mm LTD. In the image below, I kept magnifying the Michelin Man on the tire, and his jaw kept dropping at the resolution as the detail kept up with the cropping/zooming. So whatever happens with Ricoh in the coming weeks or months or years, it will be a wonderful footnote that Pentax made the K5/K5II/K5IIs. I feel sad that Ricoh may not keep this kind of excellence alive. As far as I am concerned, the K5 series of DSLRs are the best Pentax cameras ever made. When coupled with the FA 31mm Limited and DA16-50 and DA50-135 lenses and other optic stars, it's pure photographic magic. Pentax won a huge fan in this local artist and he's already talking about sending more assignments my way. (oh joy. I prefer being a hermit ) Note: The images here are not the full resolution images I showed to the client...but you get the idea! Last edited by LaurenOE; 08-12-2013 at 08:55 PM.

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08-12-2013, 08:42 PM	#2
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	That tractor image is stunning. Great to see how you've mastered the K5

08-12-2013, 08:48 PM	#3
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Wonderful way to express your creativity. Thank you for posting; all images are really beautiful.

08-12-2013, 08:52 PM	#4
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	All I can say is "Boom-shacka-lacka" and great images and great story.

08-12-2013, 08:54 PM	#5
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Fine work Lauren. Congrats and keep doing us proud.

08-12-2013, 09:00 PM	#6
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690 Original Poster	Originally posted by Franky2step That tractor image is stunning. Great to see how you've mastered the K5 Originally posted by Uluru Wonderful way to express your creativity. Thank you for posting; all images are really beautiful. Originally posted by MSL All I can say is "Boom-shacka-lacka" and great images and great story. Originally posted by crewl1 Fine work Lauren. Congrats and keep doing us proud. Thanks all. Sitting in the rain and humidity, at 2am in the morning with the steamy summer rain slowly evaporating, (while the Police wonder what I am doing) makes me love my companion that is there with me. The K5 is such an awesome tool. A lonely summer night in our downtown. Small-town America.

08-12-2013, 09:08 PM	#7
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by LaurenOE (while the Police wonder what I am doing) Did they come and talk to you at any point?

08-12-2013, 09:15 PM - 1 Like	#8
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690 Original Poster	Originally posted by MSL Did they come and talk to you at any point? Nah. For the most part we have a very cool Police force in my town. They are required to have a 4 year college degree and they are paid very well. They are very well aware of photographer's rights in public places. Some of the best of the best try and work here. Not your typical "Police and photographer" interactions. Also, being so close to Disney, our town is often used as a movie/television set and we have an active theatre in our downtown. We have plays and live performances in our restored Theatre. I am VERY fortunate to live in such a wonderful place. (Except for the Summer heat)

08-12-2013, 09:19 PM	#9
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by LaurenOE They are very well aware of photographer's rights in public places. Not so much thinking about your rights, just whether they thought your activity was suspicious enough to want to talk to you further. Near my house is a pathway that leads to a public school. I was out photographing some local flowers or bugs or whatnot, with whatever lens attached to some long set of extension tubes. Now you and I know I couldn't have focused on anything more than 2 inches away. But I got the feeling a few of the parents wandering back and forth thought otherwise. Oddly though, nobody bothered to ask me what I was up to as I would have been happy to explain. It doesn't take much for people to guess wrong intentions.

08-12-2013, 09:21 PM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Wow - just jaw-droppingly beautiful.

08-12-2013, 09:22 PM - 1 Like	#11
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690 Original Poster	As there are no Oranges in Florida in August, I had to bring my own to the local packing plant to get this image. Heller Oranges are our local brand!

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08-12-2013, 09:24 PM	#12
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by LaurenOE As there are no Oranges in Florida in August, I had to bring my own to the local packing plant to get this image. Too funny. Keep the snippets coming. This is storytelling at its finest.

08-12-2013, 09:28 PM	#13
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690 Original Poster	The last stop

08-12-2013, 09:31 PM - 1 Like	#14
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690 Original Poster	A reflection of an American small town cliché? Or just a clichéd reflection?

08-12-2013, 09:35 PM	#15
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690 Original Poster	Originally posted by MSL Not so much thinking about your rights, just whether they thought your activity was suspicious enough to want to talk to you further. Near my house is a pathway that leads to a public school. I was out photographing some local flowers or bugs or whatnot, with whatever lens attached to some long set of extension tubes. Now you and I know I couldn't have focused on anything more than 2 inches away. But I got the feeling a few of the parents wandering back and forth thought otherwise. Oddly though, nobody bothered to ask me what I was up to as I would have been happy to explain. It doesn't take much for people to guess wrong intentions. True. But, I'm fat and female, so I tend to get a free pass on "suspected nefarious activity" Originally posted by monochrome Wow - just jaw-droppingly beautiful. Thanks!