Hey Everyone,
I figured a post such as this is perhaps a bit overdue - I owe way too much to the PF community to have just disappeared like I did. For those wondering what happened, it was a combination of two things:
1) Work has been incredibly busy in my unique niche in the Army. Matter of fact, I'm actually writing this while on yet another deployment.
2) I no longer shoot Pentax :eek: This is for several reasons.
- First, I was eying the primes that were coming out for the big three and really wanted (affordable) high end glass like Tamron's 85 1.8 G2 VC (which is the sharpest lens I've used wide open to date. Period. And you all know I've played with my fair share between my own glass and then reviewing lenses here as a staff writer). I know the DFA* 85 is in the works, but my clairvoyance was telling me it would be a while combined with an estimated launch price of $1700. And that price estimate was before the DFA* 50 was a thing, much less knowing its $1300 MSRP. For $1700, I got a D750 and the Tamron 85.
- Between the last deployment and this one, I found a lot of success second shooting weddings with a local friend whom I've partnered with. I sold all of my K mount equipment and now shoot 2x D750's, Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 VC, Sigma 24 f/1.4 Art, and Tamron 85 f/1.8 G2 VC. That's my entire kit, and because I shopped around and got them all in used/like new or refurbished condition, I was able to get the entire lot for under $3000 (!), which was less than what I made selling my K mount lot. And as an event/wedding photographer, immediately my "credibility" grew as I was no longer shooting a "fringe" brand (sad, but true :(), and then I was amazed at what was now available from the 3rd party world. Upon reflection, many times I have said I would never have left if just the Sigma Art line was available. I dreamed of those Art primes like the 24 and 135 Art with the Pentax K-1 (as many of you have, and please don't bring up the Sanyang/Rokinon versions - I had the 24 in Syria and the 135 would have proven even far more difficult to use in fast-paced situations). I will say, again, that the K-1 remains the most holistically perfect body I've used.
- Perhaps most immaturely, but I was really spurned by how the company treated me. I was really close to striking a deal with Jim Malcolm, and over the phone we had gotten so far as promising me a K-1 and the new DFA* 70-200 to be an imaging ambassador as a thank you for all the work I had done on behalf of Ricoh Imaging over the years, as well as my very vocal (and candid) desire to collaborate and enhance what I pointed out to be amateur hour marketing. He had a sudden departure and then his secretaries acted like I never existed and essentially "ghosted" me by never returning my calls or emails. For those that remember me (as this place has grown and there's a lot of new faces), you all know how I poured my heart and soul (and some Afghan sand and shell casings ;)) into finding ways to champion the brand.
As for what I've been up to all this time: from 2016 into early 2017 I was in Syria having the time of my life, and I cannot put into words just how fundamentally critical photography was to the success of my team. I almost left my gear home (there was a concern on whether I'd be able to use it because of the sensitivity of the environment), and then at the last minute I decided to take it under the auspices of "it's better to need and not have than be crying, wishing I had it in a place I can't just procure a new kit at the store." Competent photography, combined with my ability to write as well, elevated the quality of my reports to a level I was not prepared for, both personally and professionally. And on this current deployment, the same continues to ring true (only I was mentally prepared this time haha).
Then, I returned back to the United States, had a fast and furious train-up for the follow-on mission, and then deployed again. I've been back in the Middle East for a little while, and am actually getting ready to return home shortly. Nothing as cool or dangerous as the last one, so it's been a comforting change for both my wife as well as my professional development, as the mission and environment are quite different. Upon my return I suppose a follow-up is in order, including with photos ;)
And since I mentioned my wife, Jenny is due at the end of June. For those that remember this, we struggled with the devastating disaster of pregnancy loss (and multiple times), however she is in her third trimester now! As I've been deployed for months 3-7 of her pregnancy, she doesn't appreciate when I tell her the pregnancy has been rough on me, too :D:cool::D. The little boy will be our first, and I mention that and our struggles because there may be some wondering about what came of that announcement as it was several years ago.
As for what's next in store for me - I'm obviously still in the Army, and I was hoping to be an instructor at one of our courses, however it appears that opportunity fell through :hmm:. I'll know in a few months what I will be doing, but then that quickly is followed by graduate school. I haven't applied yet, although I am interested in pursuing an MBA. As a small side note - if anyone has experience in the post-MBA world, can you send me a PM? I have some pointed questions that I'd like to ask...
Lastly, Pentax still holds a place in my heart, and I still lurk in the shadows here from time to time. I recommend the brand for anyone who asks for advice on a starter DLSR, as I literally cannot find anything to beat the K-S2 for the money. I carried one in Syria along with my Pentax K-1 and K-3, and man, what an incredible camera - there's nothing out there that even comes close to the features for the price when coupled with a few lenses like the 18-135 WR, DA 10-17 FE, and DA 50.
I'll include just a small snippet of photos from my time in Syria, however the rest deserve a more dedicated post:
I loved photographing the children when I was there, and these are some of the highlights:
We were driving back home and it was about sunset, so we stopped to take some photos and a local family was doing the same. I was able to get this shot of this boy (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
I couldn't decide on whether I liked the color or B&W more (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
Visiting IDP camps were always an incredible experience for me. As a small aside to explain that difference, IDP's, or Internally Displaced Persons, differ from refugees in that they don't cross a border. The moment they cross from Syria into any other country, they are then refugees and no longer IDPs.
This teenage girl was sitting in a tractor and smiled for me (Pentax K-1, DA* 55):
For this shot, we had just turned a corner while exploring the camp and and I couldn't take my eyes off this beautiful girl and how out of place she seemed with her striking blonde hair and emerald eyes (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
Children will always find a way to entertain themselves, and in this case some tires, sticks, and soda cans fit the bill (Pentax K-1, DA* 55):
Displaced and dirty survivor of the conflict (Pentax K-1, DA* 60-250 in FF Mode):
These girls were playing outside against their makeshift house in one of the camps (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
Not in a camp, but rather in a small town, these girls were among the most jovial and playful I came across (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
We visited a hospital, and its hasty fortifications--built by ISIS when they were in control of the area in the year prior to this image being shot--struck a jarring juxtaposition with the refuge of what a hospital should represent (Pentax K-3, DA 10-17 Defished):
The inside of the hospital, which ISIS fighters burned (Pentax K-1, DA 10-17 in FF Mode Defished):
A different medical facility, but arguably the nicest and best equipped operating room I came across :eek: (Pentax K-3, DA 10-17 Defished):
Upon my return, I immediately had withdrawals from missing the food. For those that have never visited a high quality Middle Eastern (specifically Levantine) restaurant....do yourself a favor and make it a point (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
Another chef making kebob skewers in a different restaurant, with the hanging meat also on display (Pentax K-1, DA* 55):
Sadly, an all-too-common sight - sheer devastation (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
A break during a patrol leads to an unexpected encounter (Pentax K-1, DA* 60-250 in FF Mode):
One of my favorite selfies :cool: (Pentax K-3, DA 16-85 WR):
And lastly, the Euphrates River Valley, as shot from atop a mountain (Pentax K-1, DA 10-17 in FF Mode):
Very Respectfully,
Heie :)
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