Alaska on Film: Kodak Gold 200 with Leica MP

Continuing with my film series and my need to experiment with different film stock - I bought a bunch of rolls of Kodak 200 given the price range and the ease of availability.

As much as I appreciate the vibrant hues in some of the shots, I have to admit that this particular film stock falls short in certain scenarios. The brightness and saturation often come out dull and lackluster, unless there is an abundance of natural light.

The Kodak Gold 200 film gives off a warm, vintage vibe with its slightly yellow and grainy appearance. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and adds to the vintage aesthetic of the photos. Below are a few samples from the Kodak Gold 200 - all shot with the Leica MP.

Alaska on Film: Kentmere 400 with Leica MP

After selling my re-issued M6 last year, I thought I was done with film photography. But then I couldn't resist the Leica MP and ended up buying one. As much as I love my Sony kit, there's just something about shooting with film that draws me in. Part of me wonders if I made the right decision, as I've gone back and forth on whether or not to use Leica multiple times before.

This time around, I'm determined to fully commit to shooting with film. In the past, I would often switch back and forth between digital and film, never fully embracing one or the other. But this time, I'm holding myself accountable by going all in.

I've also been experimenting with different film stocks, something that I never really did before. From black and white to color, from low ISOs to high ISOs - each type of film has its own unique look and feel. It's been so much fun seeing how each roll turns out.

The photos below show a mix of landscapes, portraits, and daily life moments, all captured with the Leica MP, the 35mm f/1.4 steel rim and the Kentmere 400:

South Caicos and Sailrock Resort

Nearly everywhere I’ve lived as an adult has been next to the water.

My wife and I love the water and nearly all water activities. A lot of our trips are to the beach in different continents and we go scuba diving whenever our schedules permit.

Last month, I had an opportunity to visit the Sailrock Resort in Turks and Caicos. Originally, it was planned as a family trip - but due to some last minute priorities - it ended up being a trip with my brother for the first half and solo for the second half.

Having been to Turks and Caicos a few times before - I walked away from my last trip feeling conflicted. It was too crowded and had become too touristy. For this trip, we specifically booked Sailrock Resort in South Caicos and it was an incredible adventure.

Getting to Sailrock Resort:

Getting to the resort is definitely a bit of a hike. Most people arrive at Providenciales International Airport and can either spend time hanging out at the airport or can take a taxi to one of the nearby bars. While we didn’t have enough time to leave the airport - our preference would’ve been Bugaloos. Having been there on nearly every trip to the Turks & Caicos, it’s a fantastic way to eat some amazing food - while staring into the picture perfect ocean.

We were booked on a charter plane to the resort - which ended up being delayed. Thankfully, with only 6 passengers on board - we were able to quickly get to the resort in under 20 minutes. The flight was as scenic as they come - absolutely stunning.

At Sailrock Resort:

Once we got to the resort, the stunning views and the helpfulness of the staff didn’t stop. Every day, waking up in paradise and staring out into the ocean was truly an escape from the brutal New York winter. We had excursions planned for a few of the days and truly enjoyed our snorkeling and fishing adventure.

Each night, the sunset over the calm beach was a thing of beauty that was difficult to capture and even more challenging to put into words.

The staff in particular - was absolutely incredible. They were helpful, friendly and generous - something that I’ve only found in high-end resorts in Asia.

While the overall coordination and the communication of the property’s management could be significantly improves - especially at the resort’s price point - they were sincere about fixing mistakes and doing the right thing.

Overall:

In a simple statement - I can’t wait to come back again. The hospitality, the views, the staff and the forced disconnect from the world made it a trip I won’t forget anytime soon.

Leica Q2 Monochrom

As an photographer and technologist, I’m constantly chasing the next piece of gear. Not that it makes my work any better, but it allows me to see the latest innovation in imaging technology.

When I initially heard about Leica making black and white cameras, I was utterly confused - why would someone pay a premium to take B&W photos in 2023? Little by little, I started reading reviews and the images from these cameras were absolutely beautiful.

So, despite my better judgement - I decided to order a Leica Q2M and took it on its first ever trip in February. When I got home and started processing these images - I was in awe. The photos aren’t technically superior, but the emotion that these images deliver are truly incredible.

Now, I very much look forward to capturing and creating more memories with this camera.

6 Weeks in Portugal: Porto

Late last year, my wife and I decided we needed a bit of a change and also never having taken advantage of the remote working situation, really wanted to see how we might be able to explore the world while working.

We landed on Portugal for 2 reasons:

• My wife’s love of Port wine

• The beautiful diving in the Azores

We created a rough plan, invited our parents and close friends and counted down the months.

For the vast majority of our time in Portugal, we would spend our time in Porto. It was relatively affordable, it was a smaller city and we had the ability to use it as a base for the various places we wanted to check out: Douro Valley and Geres National Park.

Our first week in Porto went by so quickly - before we knew it - the week was over. We took this time to get familiar with the city, get our bearings straight and also to establish a home base for essentials - groceries, coffee, supplies and connectivity.

I vividly remember landing and going to the local coffee shop for 2 espressos and questioning my hearing. The price of 2 coffees? Less than $1.50.

That pricing comparison would continue until we landed back in New York. For nearly every meal in Porto, we had the luxury of going out, eating fresh food and drinking delicious wine. No matter if we went to the corner store for a quick bite or a proper sit down restaurant with tablecloths - it was absolutely delicious.

Traveling with an infant also meant adhering to naptimes and playground activities. Thanks to the incredibly compact size of the city, we were able to make it a wholesome affair - family time in the mornings and afternoons with couple times in the evening.

We were lucky enough to see stunning sunsets across the Luís I Bridge on a number of occasions. No matter how many times we saw the sun dipping below the horizon - we were in awe every single time.

In Porto, we were lucky enough to welcome our parents and our friends along with spending quality time eating and drinking our way across the picturesque city. We will most certainly be back.

Favorite restaurant in Porto: Mistu

Favorite activity in Porto with kids: WOW Museum

Unassuming, yet stunning sunset rooftop: Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown

Over touristy, yet delicious French Toast: Majestic Cafe