Eddie Ruiz Photography

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2020 Scott Kelby Self-Guided Photo Walk

Fujifilm X-Pro2. XF 23mm@5.6. Avenida Central.

Well, it is that time of the year, the Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk, the pandemic edition. As opposed to other years, where groups of photographers and hobbyists gathered together to enjoy a walk around certain spots in the city, due to the historic situation we are all living around the world, it appears the organizers decided to make this one a self guided walk, share your best picture, all for a good cause.

This is my fifth photo walk . I did miss hanging out with other fans of photography; nevertheless, considering the cloudy weather conditions I decided to go ahead and make it a long walk around my favorite streets. Most of economic restrictions have been lifted this past week, so it was a chance to witness how much is changing around areas in town that are usually predominant with visitors, shoppers, and peddlers.

Next to my X-Pro2 and both my 23mm and 35mm lenses, I carried along the Nikon F3 with a roll of Kodak E100, and if you are aware of its cost, you'll understand that I just use it to take a couple of shots and put it away for another day. Regarding that roll, I am testing it under different weather and light conditions and see how renders it colors the day I get it developed. That'd be another blog in the future. Having said that, I enjoyed my X-Pro2 a lot, and having it dressed with it new leather half case, it just looks gorgeous. However, every now and then I wanted a low angle shot, and miss not having a flip screen. Getting down injures my left knee, but also it is a giveaway to subjects you are trying to photograph.

I love these walks. It felt good seeing more people on the streets, at least in Santa Ana, wearing theirs masks and keeping distance. I am hopeful as Panamanians we are understanding what it is at stake and one day control the harmful effects of the pandemic, both for the public health, and for the economic activities. Casco Viejo is a different story, still empty streets, closed down businesses, and news that a great deal of residents moved away due to strict quarantine regulations we lived the past six months. Hope they come back. Hope we all come back.

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