It was at this point I decided that I’d never buy another bag without…
Camera bag advice…
Posts
Kamakura Daibutsu 鎌倉大仏
Shooting today while on a family trip to the Great Buddha of Kamakura. As much I hate shooting on blue sky days, I may have gotten some keepers! Photo at the top of the page by Amanda Chizek.
Mikasa Park
Shooting at Mikasa Park this morning, a beautiful 19th century battleship in Yokosuka, Japan.
Third time’s a charm…
In the summer of 2017 we moved from Coronado, CA to the Washington, DC area. I was so floored by everything around us in the northern Virginia/DC area that I completely let the blog fall by the wayside…
Coming back soon…
In 2017 we moved to the DC area from Coronado, CA and I didn’t keep this blog going. I’m starting again, my initial goal is two posts a month plus postings while out shooting. The blog is now running with all the old posts and I’ll start posting again soon. Sign up for updates on […]
The Old Switch-a-roo
My eleven months with Sony was not what I had hoped for, I missed my old 6D almost from the minute I sold it.
Patriotic Homes of Coronado
This year I decided to post nothing but my stock patriotic photos for the long Fourth of July weekend using photos of flags flying where I live in Coronado, California.
Digital Exposition in Madrid!
Very happy because my photo, Wisky, has been selected to display digitally in the “Black and White” Exhibition at Galeria6mas1 in Madrid, Spain. Opening night is July 20th! This is the battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64), in Norfolk, Virginia. https://gurushots.com/challenge/black-white/winners/exhibit-digital
Memorial Day 2017
I could have taken an incredible photo of this lady with the sun going down behind her as she sat on a blanket and an American flag pillow over her husbands grave, our conversation was better than any photo I could have taken.
Stock Photography
Last January a friend suggested I try selling my photos as stock photography and suggested a few sites. I thought about it and decided to give it a shot. Like I do before I leap in to something, I sought advice from my close personal friend – the internet.
Coronado, CA
I made a decision to take photos of Coronado, the city; sure I’d shoot the San Diego skyline, the bridge, and yes, sunsets, but I hoped to shoot more.
Again?
Ok… Gurushots.com is gettin’ a little carried away. My pic made #2 on a new list of “32 Photographs With Negative Space Proving That Less Can Be More.”
My pic made the list!
My photo is #20 of “34 Vertigo Inducing Shots Of The Some Of The Tallest Skyscrapers In The World” with mine, Summer Night!
Euro History 1
Since writing an earlier blog entry about photographing US history locations, the subject of European history and some of my older photos entered my mind. History combined with photography is my personal perfect storm.
My Pic @ The Daily Beast!
A photo I submitted to Getty Images was used by The Daily Beast on March 14, 2017
Number 14!
My photo made Gurushots.com’s “30 Photographs Of Motion That Will Get Your Heart Pumping And Your Face Smiling” list!
iPhone Photography
While living in Europe, I purchased a very nice Sony DSC-TX20 pocket camera for the nights I didn’t want to carry my camera bag going out to dinner. I worked out well, it took great photos and had an excellent wide angle view. However, I didn’t own an iPhone then.
My Pic is #17!
My photo, called Strawberry Slices, just made #17 in an article called “32 Delicious Examples Of Food Photography. Guaranteed To Inspire And Make Your Tummy Rumble” !!
Puzzles?
A few years ago I began to test selling photos in other venues and putting my photography on items such as mouse pads, cutting boards, cups, and various merchandise.
MIA Photo Fair!
My photo was selected for the digital exposition in Minimalism at the MIA Photo Fair in Milan, Italy!
The Everyday Sling, Continued…
Back in September (2016) I stated that if I had a mirrorless camera, “this would be my bag 24/7!” Well, I meant it, and after writing that post I actually ended up purchasing a Sony A7R mirrorless camera and decided to give the Everyday Sling a shot as my every day bag.
My Two Photo Lessons…
If you want a jolt of reality just go to Smugmug or 500px, search a subject you’ve shot and think you understand, then get ready to be humbled! If you really want to be brought down a few rungs on the ego ladder, search for your camera model and see the photography that has been shot with your camera. This will leave you wondering how they can get these incredible images, but you can’t.
This photo is #1 of 31 photos featured at Gurushots.com!
One of my photos, taken almost four years ago, was featured today by the Gurushots.com website!
#15 of 26 photos featured at Gurushots.com!
A photo of my girls, White Sands Walk, was taken at White Sands National Monument, NM and was featured today by the Gurushots.com website!
Hampton Roads
Returning to Norfolk with my family is now a priority, not just for visiting friends but getting our girls out and have some fun seeing incredible American History.
Goodbye Canon 😭, Hello _______
I needed to lighten up my camera bag recently because it was simply too heavy for my back after surgery in 2010. When I looked at where that weight was coming from, it didn’t take long to see it was my Canon 6D and the three lenses.
Goodbye Canon 😭
This isn’t an angry “screw Canon” sort of message, it’s actually a bit sad for me as I’ve been a loyal Canon user for eight years now. I have also loved every Canon camera I’ve owned, as well as their lenses.
Mount Rushmore, lessons learned.
Our oldest daughter was studying Mount Rushmore last year so when planning a trip to Wisconsin it seemed like a no brainer to stop in South Dakota. Long before leaving, a little research seemed in order.
The Everyday Sling
When originally asked if I’d be interested in one of the new Peak Design bags I actually said “no”… Sometimes I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Diffractive what?
I wanted something in the bag that could reach out to 300mm, if it was too big to carry it probably wouldn’t be with me when I went out. Then I read about the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 L DO IS USM.
Peak Design @ Kickstarter
Only 30+ hours to get a new Peak Design bag at Kickstarter!
Campania?
The Campania region of Italy, has an incredible history, generous people, spot-on vino, some of the best food in Italy, and is also completely underrated.
SpecialInterview.com
Yesterday I did an interview with SpecialInterview.com about my photography.
NEW Peak Design Bags!
If these new bags are anywhere as good as their Everyday Messenger Bag released last year, you might want to get one early through their Kickstarter Campaign.
Japanese Friendship Garden
The cool thing about this garden is that there is so much to shoot once inside and, because the Japanese Friendship Garden sits below Balboa Park, you really feel like your somewhere else and not sitting in the middle of San Diego.
Interview #2 Crazy Mind!
Bill Chizek is a retired Navy Musician, now amateur photographer from El Paso, TX and San Diego, CA. His photography journey began in 1981. He takes photos of anything that catches his eye; aircraft, cars, architecture, and anything historical along the way. We have conducted an interview with Bill.
US History 1
I’ve been interested in history since I was a little kid, don’t ask me why, it just happened. Later in life, while in the US Navy, history was ever present; so when teaching US history followed, it seemed like a natural fit. While getting serious about photography, it seemed a little more fun when shooting […]
New Peak Design Bags are out!
If you’re at all interested in Peak Design or a new camera bag, I’ve written two posts related to my Peak Design camera bag.
Point Loma, San Diego
I have a few ‘go-to’ places to shoot in the San Diego area, places I can count on to hopefully take a few “keepers”; Point Loma is one of those locations.
Peak Design
I’ve been using Peak Design gear since 2012 and am still wow’d by their products! I can’t see myself walking out to shoot without a piece of Peak Design gear
El Paso mixes old and new
El Paso has one foot firmly placed in its history it still has one foot in the future going forward.
Everyday Messenger, is the honeymoon over?
After seven months with my Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag, I feel comfortable saying how this worked out.
Why I love IB
Shooting sunsets in Imperial Beach is almost like shooting fish in a barrel. Unless it’s a completely cloud covered evening you’re practically guaranteed a spectacular sunset.
An Interview
I was interviewed by a website last week, read it @ http://www.thecrazymind.com/2016/05/bill-chizek-photography.html?m=1 Bill Chizek is an amateur photographer who lives between San Diego, CA and El Paso, TX. After retiring as a Navy musician in 2011, he quit playing music and photography became his passion. While Bill is fond of photographing aircraft and autos, his […]
Ghost Town
There is only one small town between Hatch, NM and the ghost town at Lake Valley, it’s called Nutt. I believe it’s named that because ain’t Nutt’n there but a biker bar… literally Nutt’n.
In the bag
I used to carry too much gear, way too much. So many extras for ‘just in case’ moments that my bag weighed a ton. Most of it was just along for the ride.
Canon Pancake Lens
If you’re a photography newbie, or on a budget, this is a bargain! Sure, it’s not a zoom lens but you’ve got two feet for that…
Amigo Airsho 2014
The Amigo Airsho has been around for decades and is now held at the Doña Anna County Airport in Santa Teresa, NM.
My Favorite Mountain
There are so many things to write about living in Italy. When people ask me if I miss Italy my reply is, “every day at dinner time.”
Defunct
The common denominator with these cars is their manufacturers are defunct.
