All tagged Editorial

Thoughts on the Fujifilm X100VI. The last of the Fuji Rangefinders

Thoughts on the Fujifilm X100VI. The last of the Fuji Rangefinders

Thomas Fitzgerald
Fuji X-Series, Editorial

I’ve been a Fujifilm shooter for quite some time now. The original X100 still sits on a shelf in my office, and I’ve had a total of 5 different Fujifilm cameras over the years. While the original X100 wasn’t my first Fuji camera, it was probably the one I used for the longest. Since then, there have been numerous iterations of this camera, each better than the previous one. I never really bothered upgrading the X100 because my other Fuji cameras pretty much did the same thing, but with the additional option of changing lenses. Now with its latest iteration, is it time to finally upgrade? And what does the X100VI release say about the rest of the Fuji Lineup?

Happy New Year, Plus Two Weeks!

Happy New Year, Plus Two Weeks!

Thomas Fitzgerald
Behind the Scenes, Editorial

I had this great plan to start the new year with a fresh blogging schedule, and a renewed energy. Of course that didn’t happen. It’s two weeks later and I’m only getting around to writing my “new year” post now. Like many a New Year’s resolutions, they crashed and burned on day two! But now that I have a moment, let me update you on a few things that have been happening, and some plans for the next little while.

Capture One vs Lightroom from someone who uses both – Update for 2023

Capture One vs Lightroom from someone who uses both – Update for 2023

Thomas Fitzgerald
Capture One, Editorial

A while ago, I wrote an article on this blog my perspective on Capture One vs Lightroom, as I regularly use both applications. I tried to present a balanced opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of both. I’ve updated that article since the first version of it came out, and since I last updated it, there have been some significant changes in both Capture One and Lightroom. I feel that these changes require a whole new discussion, and therefore a whole new blog post.

I asked Chat GPT to write me a blog post on the ethics of Street Photography. Here’s what it came up with.

I asked Chat GPT to write me a blog post on the ethics of Street Photography. Here’s what it came up with.

Thomas Fitzgerald
Editorial, AI

As an experiment, I asked Chat GPT to write a complete blog post. I asked for ideas on street photography and it suggested street photography ethics, which I then asked it to write a full blog post on. I'm sharing the unedited post as it was written by Chat GPT, along with some thoughts on the result. It's fascinating to see what an AI language model can create, and I invite you to read the post and discover what Chat GPT came up with!

How to make a cup of tea (not actually about making tea)

How to make a cup of tea (not actually about making tea)

Thomas Fitzgerald
Editorial

Many, many years ago (sigh) I did a course in Film and Video production run by the local government here in Ireland. It was only ever run once, but it was actually a great course, and I probably owe my entire career to that course. I learned so much from that and much of the experience still serves me today. But there was one class that I always remembered more than any other, and it’s an interesting story, and I wanted to share it, because I think there’s a valuable lesson in it for everyone.

A few updates - Future Website Plans and More!

A few updates - Future Website Plans and More!

Thomas Fitzgerald
Editorial, News

It’s hard to believe that it’s August already. Here in Ireland it’s technically Autumn now, and already you can feel the change in the air. And speaking of change, you may have noticed that I haven’t been posting very regularly recently, so I want to apologise. As well as being busy with client work, I’ve also been doing some thinking and I’m hoping to make some big changes soon, on the website and in a broader sense.

The Problem with Many Photo Editing Tutorials

The Problem with Many Photo Editing Tutorials

Thomas Fitzgerald
Technique, Editorial

Recently, I was trying to record a tutorial on editing landscape photography. In the end, I didn’t publish it because I felt that the edits I had done weren’t dramatic enough for people to watch. In fact, I even had that criticism about some of my editing tutorials before, that the edits I was making weren’t significant enough. This led me to realise the paradox of photo editing tutorials, especially on YouTube or other socially driven platforms. Unless you’re dramatically changing the image or doing extensive edits, people will find it “boring” and not watch or complain. But the reality is, in most cases, restraint will lead to better images.

Why I think the new Mac Studio is the perfect Creator's Mac - Thoughts on the New Mac Studio and M1 Ultra Chip

Why I think the new Mac Studio is the perfect Creator's Mac - Thoughts on the New Mac Studio and M1 Ultra Chip

Thomas Fitzgerald
Apple, Editorial

I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about an Apple announcement as I was this week after Apple’s March 2022 event. And all that excitement comes form just one part of the presentation: the announcement of the Mac Studio. For me, the Mac Studio is the ultimate Mac for what I do, and it is something I think many creators like myself have wanted for a long time.

The Importance of Photojournalism

The Importance of Photojournalism

Thomas Fitzgerald
Industry, Editorial

Over the past few years, or even the last decade, journalism has taken a real hit from the general public. Between prognostications that smartphones and social media would kill off the need for photojournalists, to attacks on journalism in general from political bloviators. But the awful events in Ukraine over the past week show that Journalism and PhotoJournalism are as effective and as important as ever.

Capture One 22 vs Lightroom Classic 11 – How do the latest versions affect your choice of photo editing application?

Capture One 22 vs Lightroom Classic 11 – How do the latest versions affect your choice of photo editing application?

Thomas Fitzgerald
Capture One, Editorial, Lightroom

One of my most popular Capture One posts on this website is the post entitled “Capture One vs Lightroom from someone who uses both”. I last updated this earlier this year, but since then, a lot has changed. With the release of Lightroom 11 which brings the new masking architecture, and Capture One 22 which adds Panorama stitching and HDR merging. This changes the dynamics of my previous arguments for each, and so I wanted to offer an addendum.

Autumn, Life, Loss and Light

Autumn, Life, Loss and Light

Thomas Fitzgerald
Autumn

As long as I’ve been taking photographs, Autumn has been my favourite time of the year. I love both the colour and the light, and there’s something cosy about the impending dark days of winter that makes it a special time of year. Recently though, loss has turned my favourite time of the year into a very difficult one.

A Quick Update

A Quick Update

Thomas Fitzgerald
Behind the Scenes, Editorial

You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t posted regularly in a little while, so I wanted to give you a quick update. I’ve been busy with client work, so I haven’t had time to write or blog for the past few weeks. So here is a quick update on what’s going on and what’s planned.

Instagram Weirdness and Possible Security Issues

Instagram Weirdness and Possible Security Issues

Thomas Fitzgerald
Misc, Editorial

Last week I started having some weird things happen to one of my Instagram accounts. Instagram suddenly started sending me emails for my “Streets of Dublin” Instagram account in Russian. At first, I thought it musty be a hack or someone had breached my account, but there is a whole thread on Reddit about it from people having the same problem.

Photography and Coffee, A Love Story

Photography and Coffee, A Love Story

Thomas Fitzgerald
Editorial

I like coffee. A lot. It’s probably one of my biggest obsessions after photography. I have about 10 different methods of making coffee, including three different coffee machines. I like all different kinds of coffee, and I’ll make a different type depending on the time of day and my mood. At this point, you’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with photography, but bear with me. It’s a bit of a journey, but we’ll get there.

Tales of Social Distancing (Coronavirus Update)

Tales of Social Distancing (Coronavirus Update)

Thomas Fitzgerald
Personal

I've been trying to write something about the current coronavirus situation all week, but I didn't know where to start. Life seems so oddly surreal at the moment. I've been trying to keep up some sense of normality and continue to blog and make YouTube content, but it feels weird to be doing such things in the light of what's going on. It feels like we're living in some science fiction movie.

How to Pixel Peep Responsibly

How to Pixel Peep Responsibly

Thomas Fitzgerald
Technique, Software

The term “pixel peeping” is one of those loaded terms in photography. Like “chimping” it has become an insult used by photographers to cast shade on others. Also, like chimping, the “evils” of pixel peeping have been blown out of proportion. The actual act of viewing an image at 100% on a screen actually has some valuable merits; however, it’s also essential to understand its value and limitations.

I Chimp and I’m Proud

I Chimp and I’m Proud

Thomas Fitzgerald
Editorial

I have a secret. I little secret that I’ve kept for so long. I’m so ashamed and the guilt is tearing me apart. I just have to come clean… Actually, none of that is really true. It’s not really a secret and I’m neither ashamed nor do I feel guilty. You see, when I’m taking photos, I check the shots on my camera’s screen. There, I said it! I’m one of those people. I’m a chimper. And I couldn’t care less.

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