Enhancing the Fujifilm X-E1

I've bought a couple of accessories for my X-E1, which add to the usability, and make the tactile experience even better.Firstly, I bought a Gordy camera strap. Made by hand by Gordy Coale, the workmanship is excellent, and is comfortable around the wrist while providing reassurance that if my grip should slip, my X-E1 will be safe. When I toted a DSLR around, it would hang from my neck, but the size and weight of the X-E1 means that I prefer to hold it one-handed by the grip. Much better on my neck.Secondly, I've added a Thumbs Up "Bop" Concave soft release. This screws into the shutter release, and allows me to gently trigger the shutter, with a much more positive action than the standard button. Because it's concave, my finger rests nicely on it. One tip, though - put a dab of super glue on the thread, or you will find it has unscrewed and got lost, at some point.Do any of you have favourite accessories? Let me know!

Weekly Photo Challenge: (Color)

This Beetle owner thought big and bold! Spotted on Skiathos, Greece.

Interference

I was skimming through my early photos in Lightroom, and came across the first image I made with my first digital SLR (a Canon EOS 300D in 2004, for those who are interested).The thing I remember most was the immediacy of the experience. No waiting to finish the film, no processing in a dark room smelling of chemicals. Click - and there it was, on the back of the camera.The second thought that struck me was that the immediacy of digital can affect the experience in negative ways, as well as positive. There was a period when the ability to capture an image without consequence of cost or effort meant I didn't think through what I was trying to achieve as much as I had with film.We live and learn.While I still shoot film for enjoyment sometimes (there is definitely a different feel to film, that no amount of digital post processing can accurately emulate), I wouldn't want to go back.

Morning Smoke

I woke to a strong smell of smoke.After an initial panic, I realised that the back-burning of fuel buildup in the forest around us must have started. The summer months are a time of caution in many parts of Australia. Many of the eucalyptus trees shed their bark annually, along with leaves, leading to a buildup of dry, tinder-like matter on the forest floor. Combine that with temperatures that have reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 Fahrenheit) this year and lightning strikes or careless people, and you have a recipe for serious fires.The smoke plus the morning mist we get up here in the Blue Mountains, led to pretty low visibility as I made my way to the train station for work.