Moderate Living

Hello, I'm Mike – I write every Tuesdays and Fridays

recent posts

about

Summer’s Color Palette & Summer Ballads

With the middle of June approaching we, in the northern hemisphere, are approaching the peak of our warm seasons. While I’m not a particularly big fan of the unchecked growth of vines and weeds, I know that everything has its place.

I rented a Nikon Z7 and took some sample pictures.

Nikon, and for the most part Canon, has already stopped making DSLRs and have shifted into mirrorless cameras (mDSLRs?) I can’t believe how in just a span of 2 decades, basic photography tech has changed. Anyway, here’s some sample photographs.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FdxtjhS/0/MjWXGQJv7dNk9RpfFV3wR6jw62HXWFXZZjj8dJkpG/O/i-FdxtjhS.jpg
photo by: moderatelivingblog.wordpress.com
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-NJGPDVp/0/NFMnT2bqHx2c6VQrB8BGXB7xzMHf97VZ8ZCnnQgvr/O/i-NJGPDVp.jpg
photo by: moderatelivingblog.wordpress.com
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7x3XBZj/0/K4rNHhsNN9PGHzxbfR7DrqDccXwgTnRbhmgDfLXP9/O/i-7x3XBZj.jpg
photo by: moderatelivingblog.wordpress.com

One thing that I really like about summer is how the color palette is deep and saturated. Spring has a color palette that’s light, bordering on pastel like. If I personally had to pick between the two, I love spring’s colors more but it would be nice to see summer’s colors with the moderate weather and plant growth of the spring 🙂

This isn’t my first foray into mirrorless. I own Canon units already but I also own Nikon technology – including lenses – that I want to adapt into these new cameras. I already bought a Nikon lens adapter in anticipation of my tech migration. With the Z7 already having gone back to the rental place, I’m confident that I will purchase that unit in the future. Or maybe (cross my fingers), I can snag a used Z8.

Summer also brings with it memories of festive outings. Before I completely settled into moderate living, I loved soaking up the dance party scene and nightlife especially during late June and July when everyone just wants to let loose. Longer days, full moon nights…I was there for it and I loved it. I still get to enjoy it once, or maybe twice a month these days and I’m comfortable with that. But whenever this time of the season come, I reminisce on those past days even though they pale in comparison to what I have now.

This song was our summer song in 2010 (or 2011?)

What were your summer songs? Link them for me in the comments! I love hearing good music 🙂

Posted in

48 responses to “Summer’s Color Palette & Summer Ballads”

  1. CJ Antichow Avatar
    CJ Antichow

    Amazing photos Mike! You definitely have a talent for that! I’m such a negative nelly lately but can you believe we’ve had frost the last two nights and alllll my flowers froze and are dead 😫😫😫😫
    I’m debating throwing in the towel, or go spend another $150 to buy and replant more?!

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you CJ! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos

      very sorry to hear about the flowers but it’s so coincidental you touched on it. I also had some flowers die out because it was a cold May and my neighbor suggested I plant the creeping ground flowers instead as they are a little more suited to harsh weather and can endure more than regular flowers. this way, she said I could still plant stuff without having to go out and get new flowers for the season.

      i’ll try not to be lazy about it lol and i’ll let you know if i go through with getting them!

      Reply
  2. Nancy Homlitas Avatar
    Nancy Homlitas

    Fabulous images, Michael. My husband gave me a Nikon Z6 when I retired in 2020 and I’m thrilled with it. Good luck with your future purchase of the Z7. Summer songs? With the recent passing of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations” comes to my mind as one of my favorites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apBWI6xrbLY

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      i love beach boy songs! and yes, i was saddened to hear of brian wilson.

      i have that song, “don’t worry, baby”, and “god only knows” ready to go on my interstate drives 🙂

      so glad to know i’ve got another mirrorless user I can lean on for information! good to know you’re happy with the Z6. i found out, to my dismay, that my two D lenses; the 135 f2DC and the 50 f1.4D will not autofocus on the new adapter. i had a feeling that this was going to happen. Nikon was very gracious in giving its legacy lenses adaptability up to its final DSLR iteration. they just ran into a cost savings wall with the D lenses. as much as i want that 135mm 1.8 Plena, it’s just not going to happen given the enormous price tag of that lens. and I’m still not completely on board with the new Z lenses given that the older Nikon lenses are still spectacular in their own right.

      Reply
      1. Nancy Homlitas Avatar
        Nancy Homlitas

        My husband, who used to manage a camera store back in the day of the Nikon Fs, said Nikon lenses get even better with age. However, he believes the Nikon Z lenses are sharper and richer in color than the F lenses. He uses a 105 macro Z lens that is phenomenal. We previously had Nikons with Dx lenses and, in our opinion, they definitely weren’t as good as the F lenses. Good luck in your quest for superb images, Michael!

        Reply
        1. Michael Williams Avatar
          Michael Williams

          I love that you can understand my situation Nancy!

          At this stage as camera technology advances, I don’t want the lenses to be pushing the sensor anymore. In order to keep the lenses I want to keep, I need to be able to see how they are when the sensors conversely push their abilities.

          Like your husband, I have come to the same conclusion after much testing (I also came to the same conclusion with my Canon lenses). The new mirrorless technology has overtaken DSLRs in both autofocus and their lens offerings – I would even go as far as to say that the Z lenses and the Canon RF lenses are head and shoulders better than their previous generation counterparts in general: a remarkable testament to free market competition.

          I can tell you that on the 45mgpxl Z7, my 24mm 2.8 struggled stopped down and just as shockingly, so did my prized 50mm 1.2 AI-S (even at 5.6, no less), although it wasn’t as evident.

          However, I know that on a Z6, almost all the vintage Nikkors will still work beautifully with very few that can’t resolve in that sensor configuration.

          The 135mm 2DC, 50mm 1.4D & 28-70mm 2.8 AFs-D are the only non F or G lenses (that I own) that can still effectively work (and work well) with the Z7’s sensor. I will soon be in the market for a 28mm 1.8G but the very last lens of the DSLR era for Nikon I will look to get is coincidentally a 105mm but it’s the 1.4G. I have used the 105 Macro and i agree – it is a stunning piece of glass.

          I am also monitoring eBay for the 200mm 4ED-IF AF but owners will not let that lens go without being paid a premium. But even if I came across a favorable listing, I now have to consider whether it can play well with a Z6 or a Z7. And also, I’m hesitant to just drop $2000 on a single lens lol.

          Hope you are enjoying your Saturday!

          Reply
          1. Nancy Homlitas Avatar
            Nancy Homlitas

            My husband’s favorite combo used to be the Nikon F with a 55mm 3.5 micro lens. At that time, he liked fast lenses like the F 1.4, or anything faster than 2.0. Back then you needed the extra speed in the lens because the film was a lot slower. That’s not necessary with these modern Nikons. The issue now is that the faster lens has too much glass for the light to pass through without sacrificing quality. The Z6 can handle ISO 64,000, so a fast lens isn’t beneficial for me. Michael (husband) is in love with his ZF with a 105 macro lens. It’s good for shooting wide open with a shallow depth of field to isolate a chosen subject, but he doesn’t shoot slower than 1/125. He likes his ZF better than my Z6 or a Z7 because it has more useable features. Another thing to consider is that the glass and coating of a newer Nikon lens is far more superior than that of the lenses made in the 1970s. With today’s technology, it’s less expensive to make them with low dispersion glass, which wasn’t common back then. Good luck, Michael!

            Reply
            1. Michael Williams Avatar
              Michael Williams

              😀 I love talking lenses with you Nancy

              and I love the Zf – my friend let me take pictures with his Zf with the 40mm pancake and it was so much fun! if you and your husband shoot with your units, I’d love to see those photos whenever you get a chance to post!

              by the way, I don’t know if you and your husband still like the look of film but every once in a while I’ll go back to it. I have an online subscription for a company called VSCO (https://studio.vsco.co/). they do digital renditions (filters) for old film stocks and since it’s very tedious to get velvia 50 developed, I joined. they also have my other favorite film which is superia 400+ premium. just something I figured to let you know.

              enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

              Reply
              1. Nancy Homlitas Avatar
                Nancy Homlitas

                We’re not familiar with Velvia film. We haven’t used film in years. There’s zone software that can make the grain pattern of your images look like they were taken with film. You might be interested in checking out photographer Ansel Adam’s (from yesteryear) zone system for B & W. I’d rather edit on the computer than in a darkroom. We still have our Bessler enlarger! Thanks, Michael, for the film information and fun conversation.

                Reply
                1. Michael Williams Avatar
                  Michael Williams

                  thanks for the tip Nancy!

                  hope your week has started off well!

                  Reply
  3. Christopher Hall Avatar
    Christopher Hall

    I sure hope that you can grab the Z7 or a Z8 in the future too! Because it’s clear from those gorgeous photos that you’re good at photography! Incredible job Mike! 👍

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      hey Chris! thank you very much for the compliment. i’m always trying to learn new things but in the meantime, I’m happy you enjoyed the photos!

      Reply
      1. Christopher Hall Avatar
        Christopher Hall

        Me too Mike! You’re very welcome of course! 😁

        Reply
  4. Ann Coleman Avatar
    Ann Coleman

    Those are lovely photographs, Michael!

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      Thank you Ann! Happy Friday!

      Reply
  5. Vanya Wryter Consulting Avatar
    Vanya Wryter Consulting

    Lovely photographs!

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Vanya!

      Reply
  6. Kate@athousandbitsofpaper Avatar
    Kate@athousandbitsofpaper

    Great photos – we are so used to it that it takes a minute to look back at photography equipment and realise how much it has changed

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thanks Kate! I actually bought two – that’s right – two film SLRs from the late 80’s and 90’s a few weeks ago. All for a combined price of $120. indeed photography equipment has changed. Even 11 year old DSLRs can be had for a few dollars more!

      Reply
      1. Kate@athousandbitsofpaper Avatar
        Kate@athousandbitsofpaper

        I’ve got a couple of film cameras I bought last year actually – not SLRS but I use them from time to time because I love the vibe that film gives. Nostalgia. There is a guy on Instagram that only uses second hand cameras and his photos are excellent. Photography is not about the camera and all about that person behind it I think

        Reply
        1. Michael Williams Avatar
          Michael Williams

          absolutely – especially with film cameras, the separation is further helped with film grade and lens. i, too, love the vibe of film.

          i don’t know if you’re for film emulating but i have joined an online subscription for a company called VSCO (https://studio.vsco.co/) because they offer digital renditions of film stocks that I used in the past. My favorite films were fujifilm superia 400 premium and fujifilm velvia 50 and 100. while VSCO doesn’t carry velvia 100, they do have digital filters of the other two mentioned that you can apply on your photo and further touch it up.

          Reply
          1. Kate@athousandbitsofpaper Avatar
            Kate@athousandbitsofpaper

            And off sown the rabbit hole I go – thanks Mike!

            Reply
  7. The Creative Chic Avatar
    The Creative Chic

    Such gorgeous pictures, Michael. You have a great eye for beautiful flowers. I love flowers so much ❤️

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Jennifer 🙂 i love taking these shots for you to see. i’ll try to take more photos this summer!

      Reply
      1. The Creative Chic Avatar
        The Creative Chic

        You’re definitely inspiring me to get out with my camera 🙂

        Reply
        1. Michael Williams Avatar
          Michael Williams

          please do 🙂 i love your photos!

          Reply
  8. justrojie Avatar
    justrojie

    Impressive florals and I’m loving the vibrant colors coming through

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Rojie! aren’t those summer colors just so rich? it’s nice to take floral photos in this season.

      Reply
      1. justrojie Avatar
        justrojie

        It really is!

        Reply
  9. ibarynt Avatar
    ibarynt

    Those are beautiful flowers Mike, the colors just pop. I wish I could take beautiful pictures, what I see and what comes out are different things 🤣.

    That’s a great summer song. I’ve never thought about seasonal songs, great idea.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thanks Iba! i promise if you ever want to be able to do that, let me know and I’ll tell you the settings on the camera you have to toggle. very easy!

      hope you and the family had a great Saturday!

      Reply
      1. ibarynt Avatar
        ibarynt

        Thankyou Mike. I know whose brains to pick if I get-to that 😊.

        It was a fine day. You have a good one too.

        Reply
  10. Andrea Avatar
    Andrea

    Didn’t expect an Eastern European song to be known in America, but love that!
    It’s from 15 years ago, insane! But it will never get old 😄

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      i know right?? it’s such a good song! 🙂

      has it been 15 years already?? nooooo! lol

      Reply
  11. Kevin Avatar
    Kevin

    Great shots, Mike! Very, very nice!
    As far as summer tunes, well…
    “Summer Nights” by Van Halen
    “Beautiful Girls” – Van Halen
    “Cabo Wabo” – Van Halen
    “Heartache Tonight” – Eagles
    “Summer Song” by Joe Satriani
    “California Girls” – the David Lee Roth version
    “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” – Beach Boys
    “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock
    “Sunburn” – David Lee Roth
    “Just Like Paradise” – David Lee Roth

    Wait…there might be a pattern or two here. 🤔😄

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      love that California Girls track! you can bet i’ll be looking up the rest on YouTube! and glad you enjoyed the photos, i took them at a local park to test out the rental camera. now that i see everyone on the comments enjoyed them it was worth looking like a total weirdo walking around like that midday 😂

      Reply
      1. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        I hope you enjoy some of them, sir!
        And as for the photos, I would say it was definitely time well spent!

        Reply
  12. Zenith Avatar
    Zenith

    Nice pictures, Mr Williams!
    Summer songs?
    Garden-Fuji Kaze
    Yeah.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thanks Zenith! i can’t wait to look it up!

      Reply
      1. Zenith Avatar
        Zenith

        You’re welcome, Mr Williams!

        Reply
  13. Sara Allwright Avatar
    Sara Allwright

    Stunning pictures Mike – loving the location in the video as well! 😍🌞🌻

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      me too 😀 thanks Sara! have a great week ahead!

      Reply
      1. Sara Allwright Avatar
        Sara Allwright

        Have a fab week – enjoy Mike! 😎🌻

        Reply
  14. Darryl B Avatar
    Darryl B

    Great pic, Mike, and good observation on the Spring pastels vs the vibrant summer hues. I really like the saturation. How do you preview the shot with no mirror? Interesting!

    And I completely understand the summer partying scene…kinda past the deepest intensity, now sorta content with a milder version and recollections…for me, much of the soundtrack from “Grease” exemplifies the summer scene… Danny and Sandy, summer fun, drive ins and nookie under the boardwalk 😉❤️

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      hehe! for sure GREASE is the seminal summer standard. I’ll tell you though, these days NJ police have been much more stringent on the summer teenager crowds. I know police have also cracked down on the spring break/summer crowd in Florida. Maybe some more mellow music might be needed lol.

      as for the photos thank you very much. the cool thing about mirrorless cameras is that it’s all digital, including the viewfinder. So in essence, you are literally creating the photo settings you want to create in real time. with the present DSLRs you had to know your aperture value and have a sense of its setting to get an estimate of what your photo would look like. For the most part, there were “depth of field previews” available on the camera but I found it to be inexact.

      Reply
  15. Sheila Avatar
    Sheila

    You did a fabulous job with these images, Mike. I have had my Sony for a number of years now. The a7 IV hadn’t been out that long but for what I use it for the III was camera for me. You may not need that Z8! 🙃

    Reply
    1. Sheila Avatar
      Sheila

      *was enough camera for me.

      Reply
    2. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thanks Sheila! the Z8 is nice but it is really really expensive. i’m not even sure if I could realistically obtain it used without waiting for a long time. the Z7 has the same sensor but doesn’t do as fast of a burst mode. that is probably the more realistic goal!

      Reply

Feel Free To Leave A Comment!