Canon R1, the dream camera of many, the camera of few

 The well known authority in the Computers World PC Magazine has reviewed the Canon R1. 

The Canon EOS R1 is a fantastic camera made for a clear audience: Creative professionals who point their lens at fast-moving subjects and are expected to deliver a clear, sharp image for publication. It's the camera you want on the sidelines at major sporting events, and in the hands of photojournalists covering major news events. On that level, it's a rousing success, and Canon-using pros who haven't yet made the move away from a 1D SLR and don't mind paying extra to be on the bleeding edge are sure to get great results.

This is Canon’s flagship camera, and despite the criticism—mainly due to the minimal differences between the Canon R3 and the R1—the R1 remains a dream camera for every sports and wildlife photographer, though its steep price tag ($6,300) puts it out of reach for many, including me.

Baby Alligator

Alligators in Florida are, quite literally, everywhere, and their presence is deeply woven into the state’s natural landscape and culture.

With over 1.3 million alligators estimated to live in the state, they can be found in virtually every freshwater body, including lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, canals, and even some brackish environments. From the Everglades to suburban retention ponds and golf course water hazards, it’s not uncommon for Floridians to spot an alligator sunning itself along a bank or gliding stealthily through water.

Their widespread presence is due in part to strong conservation efforts. American alligators were once on the brink of extinction in the mid-20th century due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss. However, through federal and state protections, they’ve made a remarkable recovery and are now considered a conservation success story.

If there’s water, there are most likely alligators—that’s the rule you should follow. Even if you don’t see them, they see you. This baby alligator was watching me without moving a muscle for a long time, and if it hadn’t been for his nose breaking the calm surface of the lake, I wouldn’t have noticed him at all.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III priced higher than Canon R1

I completely agree with this article. Technically speaking, there’s no logical reason to justify why Canon is pricing the EOS-1D X Mark III at $6,499 while the Canon R1 is being sold for around $6,300—unless, perhaps, the R1 isn’t selling well and is being treated as little more than a new version of the Canon R3.

 

Don’t get me wrong—the EOS-1D X Mark III is built like a tank. It’s one of the best DSLRs on the market. It’s just strange to see a company release a new version of what’s supposed to be the flagship at a lower price than the old “king.”

Minimalism in photography

Minimalism in photography is a compositional and aesthetic approach that emphasizes simplicity. It seeks to convey an idea, emotion, or story using the least amount of visual information possible—focusing on elements like space, color, form, and texture. 

Here is an example from last weekend.

Pictures from last weekend

This weekend, I took some good pictures on Saturday, but to me, the one below is the best. I took it after the rain on Sunday. I love the rain—especially when it stops.

From the ones that I took last Saturday I will pick one from a Pileated Woodpecker. 

You can find the rest of the pictures here and here. I almost forgot to mention. I keep shot a video too!

Why I use DXO PureRaw

It’s no secret that sometimes you’re forced to take pictures in less-than-optimal lighting conditions, which often results in what we call "noise" in your images. In recent years, with the rise of AI, many tools have introduced de-noising features. However, not all of them do a good job of removing noise effectively. If you’re interested in seeing how Lightroom Denoise compares to DxO PureRaw, here’s a video that shows you exactly that.

 

Wildlife Photography Tips

 Here is an article that I found very useful for those already into wildlife photography. 

For decades, OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Joe and Mary Ann McDonald have traveled the globe, documenting wildlife in its natural element through their photography.

This husband-and-wife team photographs birds, reptiles, mammals, and marine life across all seasons and continents. Their extensive experience, from photographing bison and wolves in Yellowstone to penguins in Antarctica, has yielded invaluable insights. The photography team shares practical tips that have helped them improve their wildlife photography, especially when tackling challenging conditions.