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CLICK ON THE IMAGE to see it full size. This is what the Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 looks like on my 1940's 4x5 camera. This is a scan of 100 ISO Black and White Film, thus why you still see the entire sheet. For those wondering what 175 is in 35mm equivalent, it's roughly 50. And f2.5 in terms of depth is roughly f1. Mind you, it's still 2.5 when it comes to light gathering. 

I used an iPhone light meter app to check my settings and they were spot on. I loved having to use my "old film" brain to think about my settings and how to deal with the limitations of the camera. The Max shutter speed is 1/500th, so we needed to shoot in the shade. I will share images shot in open day light, but those we stopped down to f7.1 and you don’t get the same background effect.

Right now I am trying to make sure I can get my focus right before venturing into shooting color film which is anywhere from $7-$10 per sheet, before processing costs. I am also trying to figure out if shooting the back of the ground glass will look cool enough or not. 

Color or Black and White? I've been playing with the Fuji X100 VI, which from what i'm being told is selling like hotcakes. I get some of the hype...but I do feel there's a lot of overhype for these cameras. Now that's not a bad thing, that's a great thing for Fuji. It's great they created something people love and will go out and purchase every time they release something new. I am not ripping on the camera with any of those statements. I will have a full review of a production unit in the next 2 weeks. I wanted to make sure I actually used it, unlike the other "reviewers" who walk around in circles and take a few random snapshots. (it also looks like YT doesn't show the entire frame, so please keep that in mind) 

Black and White or Color, and why? This morning we set out at 6 am looking for Big Tusker Elephants.  We came upon Pascal with his herd.  We were told, today is the first day Kilimanjaro was not blocked by clouds.  This was an intricate scene for all of us to attempt for numerous reasons.  One, we wanted to get Pascal and the mountain in the same frame. Two, I shot this upside down. Yup, you can’t get out of the vehicle, which makes it harder to get that lower angle.  The lower angle really helps showcase the sheer size of your subjects.  I used the Canon R3 with 85 1.2 RF on a mono pod, hung outside the side of the vehicle as low as I could manage. From there, I used one arm to maneuver and steady, while I used the canon connect app, to compose and take the photos.  This was not easy, and I did record me doing this for a potential video.  I’m happy I accepted the challenge of shooting with the app hanging the camera over the side.  I don’t think this is perfect and I would have preferred being on the ground looking through the camera. I will share some the other guys got as well, because I think theirs was better.   #elephants   #aftica   #kenya   #photography 

The Impossible Shot!!!!  This wasn't easy to capture, but sometimes luck plays a role. 

Here's the first recipient of 10 who won a FREE 17x22 inch Bernie Print for being signed up at  https://www.berniephotobook.com/  

I will be selecting the next print winner this weekend.  If you're interested in staying up to date on the progress of the Bernie Photo Book, please follow the link above to sign up.  If it's not your jam, that's fine as well.

We are progressing quickly towards a Kickstarter launch.  There's going to be signed books, print options and some portfolio options rewards as well.

So far, the book is coming in around 256 pages with roughly 100 images, is sized to 14H x 10.5W, and weighs around 6 pounds.  Yes, it's a BIG ASS BOOK with BIG ASS two-page spreads.  There's going to be minimal text on the pages, but there will be full-on audio commentary for you to consume while you turn through the pages.

When I am turning through photo books I always want to know more.  I want to know what the photographer was thinking.  What issues did they run in to.  How was it captured and sometimes what they shot it with.  The what they shot it with isn't always the most important, but I do like knowing from time to time.

I am self-publishing this book because in this day and age, I don't need a publishing company.  For those who don't know.  A publishing company only serves a few purposes.  One, they pay for the printing of the book.  Two they furnish you with an advance.  And three, they are supposed to help you get eyeballs on your book.  Oh yea, you as the photographer wont get paid until they re-coup all expenses with the production of the book.  If and when that happens, you may end up with 10-20% of the profit from each book sold.

Well, I don't need a traditional publisher for many reasons. One, and this is the most important.  I've already built a large global following.  Most publishing companies have zero social reaches and rely solely on traditional means of promotion. Which means, you gave up most of your profits for nothing.  I also don't need them to front me any money.  We can kick start this project together without them.  

I believe in investing in one's self and taking calculated risks.  If you have the ability to make things happen on your own, make them happen.  Don't always rely on someone else to get you where you think you want to be.  You know what you need to do, so go do it.  I know it can be hard, I know it can be a long road.  But when you do get there, it feels amazing.

Remember this as well.  You will never make everyone happy.  It's better to have 50% of the people love you, 50% of the people hate you than 100% of the people not give a shit.  If you try to make everyone happy, you will make no one happy.  So be true to yourself, do what you feel is right, not everyone will agree, but so what.

I am well aware this Bernie Photo Book is not for everyone. But this book isn't about "Bernie", it's about a photographer's journey to document what it's like on the campaign trail.  It just so happens that Bernie is the main focus and subject of the book.  If you love photography, if you love photojournalism and storytelling, I think you will appreciate the final product.  

I can not wait to share the finished product with the world.  

Jared 

Here's a testimonial from a 15 Min Rapid Fire Critique. 

"Jared – Thank you so much for the honest critique. It was money well spent to get an honest opinion and helpful tips. You pointed out a bunch of things that will help me to get better in the future. There was a time that I experimented with auto ISO. I’ve learned that it isn’t the best way to go and I always set the ISO myself now. I loved the humor as well . Keep up the good work on the youtube channel !!!"

The reason I commented on his photos and asked why is his ISO jumping all around when he's shooting ice hockey indoors, is because the lighting is locked in, nothing is changing. So why would you let the Auto ISO bounce around and be thrown off by a white jersey, a dark jersey or a shadow? 

If you'd like to sign up for a 1 on 1 mentorship or Rapid Fire Critique, head on over to  https://froknowsphoto.com/mentorship/ 

The PRICING is in!!! Daily FRO 349: How much it will cost to print 1,000 Bernie Photo Books???  Are you interested in PRE-ORDERING the photobook when it's up for Pre-Order?

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yUlGQfTVfeZR5ciK7v4KU?si=XoNHJ_UoS6yaWDniMQFJGA 

Daily FRO 343 ULTIMATE RANT TIME!!! (Life Coaching is STUPID...and so is this article) Ear Muffs Suggested.

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Tdar4DSIYASTlxTPYw0wW?si=2gIThpCmQwOsvjWlrQ2ysA 

Daily FRO 342: More Do...Less Talk!!!  This is pretty much a message to myself with some action items. 

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/27PRu46o5uWDbE0VWponaJ?si=ZiEO6YhDTdKXsPRvAHecdg 

New Podcast Alert!!!!  http://spoti.fi/3n1wsAM  Have you ever heard "the lens is most sharp at F8".....I'm SO TIRED OF HEARING THIS BULLSHIT. So I made a podcast about it. If you heard that idea when you first started, please let me know where you hear it and how long it took you to understand it was bs.