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Chicá: packed and unprepared

Thought I packed all I wanted to try and test:

  1. A Fuji X-T2 with both 18-55 and 55-200mm lenses.

  2. A Pentax KP with new Rokinon 14mm lens.

  3. A Nikon FE2 with 28 and 105mm lenses, and a roll of Superia 400

  4. A Yashica Mat-124G with a roll of Portra 400.

  5. Two tripods, a jacket and a headlamp.

Having checked the weather forecast the day before, indeed I was very optimistic. Today, I got up at 4am, put myself together and drove all the way to Chicá. I have to admit that once I entered the road to Chica, it felt long, dark and lonely and just minutes before getting to the spot I remember my cell lost signal. Man up, Eddie!

Outdoor landscape always feels like an adventure, hoping to get amazing pictures, and an opportunity to test gear and techniques. This time it was different. That hill was dark, steep, and never mind the wind, so strong I wonder how on earth I'd be supposed to get a firm ground for the tripod and cameras. Luckily, I brought a rock pouch I thought I'd never use, and it did the job perfectly. Soon there'd be light and sunrise would change everything.

In summary, it was too cloudy, foggy and windy. I did not look good. I was not cool and collected. It was too dark to make any composition and waiting for a sunrise that didn't really happen the way I expected. But all in all, it was a tremendous learning experience: the Pentax KP and Rokinon surprised with sharpness I didn't expect, the Fujis did their job well, and I loved clicking the analog Nikon FE2. Forget about the Yashica, that camera is definitely for portraits and I was pushing its usability trying to shoot landscapes :-)

I will not pretend I got great pictures. Truth is landscape is difficult for me, still learning how to find compositions and good light. Obviously, I have much to practice, and perhaps I'll come back to this place better prepared.