Welcome 2020 – Perfect Vision-

Let the light shine through…A new decade is ahead of us and an amazing decade has just passed.  I am sure as is true for many of you, there is a lot to reflect back on in the past decade and so much to look forward to as we begin 2020.  I am not about resolutions however I am all about being grateful for so much to be thankful for and the opportunity to continue to capture people, nature, cultures and structures in unique and creative ways.  20-20 has a unique connotation- to see clearly!  Here is to capturing all that life brings forth in the new year!  Let the light shine through…
This image was taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1X using the M Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO with the settings of ISO 500, 12 mm; f/1.8, 1/50th sec.

OM-D E-M5 Mark III

The latest new camera in my bag.  As Olympus says:  SMALLER, LIGHTER, AND SO MUCH SMARTER.

If you’re tired of lugging around heavy DSLR camera bodies and lenses, the OM-D system is a revelation. It’s smaller, lighter, and more portable, providing you greater freedom of movement to capture any image. OM-D lets you enjoy photography instead of feeling weighed down by bulky gear.

The E-M5 MARK III is 55%smaller and 64%lighter compared to average DSLR systems (as of October 2019)

And check out the image quality taken in Cleveland Ohio.
This image was taken with the OM-D E-M5 Mark III with the M.ZUIKO ED 7-14 MM F2.8PRO. Settings ISO 200, 7 mm, f/4.8, 1/125th second.

Disney – May the Force Be with you

If you have not seen the new Star Wars Movie –  drop what you are doing and go see it!  In October we surprised our grandkids with a Disney Trip.  I could fill this entire newsletter with favorite photos from the trip as it was totally magical.  I did take the opportunity to capture a few images that will have you feeling like you are on the Star Wars movie set.  Disney’s recreation of the Millennium Falcon was nothing short of amazing.  The ride, by the way was well worth the wait!

For this image I used the Olympus  OM-D E-M5 Mark III  paired with the M.Zuiko ED 12-40 mm f2.8 PRO. Settings ISO 200, 12 mm, f5.6, 1/320th second.

Tucson Arizona – Visionary Summit

I just recently came back from the Olympus Visionary Summit in Tucson Arizona where I had the opportunity to photograph some desert shots.  It is such an honor and privilege to work with the Olympus team and my fellow visionaries –  having the opportunity to share ideas, techniques and learn more ways to leverage the amazing Olympus equipment & technology.

I used the OM-D E-M1X paired with the M.ZUIKO ED 12-100mm F4 ISO PRO lens.  The settings for the first shot were ISO 200, 17mm, f/20, 1/80th second. The second image was ISO 200, 29mm, f/6.3, 1/100th second.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

This fall I was invited to present to the Chagrin Valley Camera Club and lead a photowalk in Cleveland.  One of my favorite elements to photograph is architecture and this was a perfect setting for me. As I stood outside of the the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, I was able to capture these images.  What inspired me was the graphic details of the buildings and I am pretty sure I could hear the music in my photos!

Both images were taken with Olympus OM-D E-MIX using the M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO lens.  The settings on the first image were ISO 200, 9mm, f/8.0, 20.0 seconds.The second image settings were ISO 200, 7mm, f/8.0, 5.0 seconds.

Jim Thorpe in the Fall

This has become an annual outing with Dan’s Camera and Olympus.  Each year I lead a photowalk through Jim Thorpe capturing iconic buildings; trains and the beautiful fall foliage.  This is basically in my backyard and each year I find new and creative elements to photograph.  You can also check out the video I created for the participants which depicts the photoshoot. The image was shot with Olympus OM-D E-M1X with the M. Zuiko 12-100 F4.0 IS PRO  with the settings of ISO 250, 20 mm, f/9.0 and 1/60th second.

Johnson Photo Imaging – Bradeonton, Florida

I was recently with the crew from Johnson Photo Imaging presenting several photo workshops and leading a few photowalks on behalf of Olympus.  Such a great time walking through Braedenton with the team from Olympus and Johnson Photo Imaging.  Here are a few images from the photowalks.

For both images I used the Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark III using the M. Zuiko 12-100 F4 ISO PRO lens. The settings for the first image were ISO 200, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/640th second.  The settings for the second image were ISO 1250, 100mm,  f/6.3 and 1/200th second.

The Camera Shop of Muskegon

Nothing like a midwest welcome.  From the moment I arrived, through the weekend  with the team at the Camera Shop of Muskegon, we had a blast sharing about the Olympus system and actively photographing the area.  Muskegon is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Here are a few images I captured.

Both of these images were taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. I used the M.Zuiko ED 9-18mm F40-5.6 for the first image and the settings for the first image were ISO 200, 9mm, f/10 and 1/800th second.For the second image I used the M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8PRO lens with the settings at ISO 500, 7mm, f/5.6 and 1/60th second.

New York, New York

Architecture, street photography and culture are all synonymous with New York City.  I was born in Brooklyn and New York is always a favorite place for me to photograph.  It is so rich in history and each building in town tells a story.

Here is a shot I took from outside of B & H while I was presenting information about the new camera in a series called “Break Free and See the New Olympus E-M5 Mark III”.

This image was taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III with the M. Zuiko 17 mmF1.2PRO. The settings were ISO 200, 17mm, f2.0 and 1/100th second.

Network Magazine – Lehigh Valley

Network Magazine is the Lehigh Valley’s high end business-leader driven magazine that began its publications in the summer of 2015.  This magazine is published quarterly and I have been the cover photographer since its inception.  The magazine wanted a local look and came to me to share images that they select for each issue that are converted to black and white.  Here is the most recent cover image.  To see more about the magazine, click here.

Following me on Instagram & Facebook?

New Year begins new travel opportunities and I wanted to let you know that I will be sharing images along the road on Instagram and Facebook.

If you are not already following me, I invite you to find me on Instagram at @franktaylorsmith or you can click on this link from your web browser: https://www.instagram.com/franktaylorsmith/?hl=en & on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/franksmithphotos/