Everything is all right, everything is fine

What a month it's been so far. Busy. Crazy, crazy busy. So far since sometime in early July I've had just two days where I've not been shooting assignments here, Pittsburgh, and in other places across the country. Today is one of those days, hence this blog post.

Tomorrow I fly off to Chicago for another shoot. Not a long shoot, just a day job. In and out same day. On a Sunday. Yeah, a Sunday. Only time the subject had. Only time I had. It worked out perfectly for all concerned. Sometimes good things just happen that way.

Wish I could linger in Chicago, but I can't because I have another job starting early Monday morning back here in Pittsburgh. Too bad. I love Chicago. Great sites to see. Great shopping (my all time favorite haberdashery is on Michigan Avenue). And of course, great places to eat. But not this time.

Can't wait to share some of the images I've been making. Some pretty cool stuff of a lot of great people. But that must wait until the clients publish the work. Not good to trump the client on publication. Even on my blog. Especially on my blog.

I can answer a couple of questions I've been asked lately, specifically about what I take on these assignments.

There was a time when my "kit" was a couple of camera bodies (Leica), a handful of lenses and a pouch of film. Those were the days. Long ago days. More than a decade ago actually.

Then, as digital changed my working life I evolved into the "kitchen sink" mentality. -- if I bring everything I have then I'll have everything I need. It was cases and cases of gear. Thousands of watt seconds of power across multiple packs, heads, modifiers, stands, booms and cameras with up to 20+ lenses. I traveled with an assistant (or two) to help and life was good. Life was good, but my back was a wreck.

Today I work smarter, not harder. I'm back to using available light, or minimal supplemental lighting, to achieve a more believable result. It's back to my roots as a photojournalist. And it's much easier on my aging body. And, thanks to advances in technology, I am now using my beloved Leica system again, only this time it's the full frame digital Leica M9.

So, tomorrow, when I jet away for the quick job I'll be packing the following gear:

• Leica M9 body

• Lenses: 21, 24, 35, 50, 90

• Nikon D700

• 24-70 zoom

• SB-900 w/TTL remote cord and shoot thru umbrella

• monopod to act as portable light stand (held by my willing client)

I could do the job with either Leica or Nikon set up. But having two kits provides me with a back up in case of emergency. Yes, I could pack a second Nikon and call it a day, or a second M9 and do the same, but there a reason I don't do it that way. The reason is choice. My choice. And sometimes that's enough of a reason.

See you soon.

Thanks