The Book | Ponce City Market

It's finally here...After years in the making, an advance copy of my first book arrived on Friday. Back in 2010 I visualized this very book, and now it has arrived and I couldn't be happier.  The folks at Schiffer Publishing have been tremendous throughout this process, and I'm very pleased with the result. I'm told the bulk of the copies are still 6-8 weeks out from release, but I'll be sharing updates as I get them.

You can purchase your copy directly from Schiffer Publishing HERE

Thank you to Jerry Hancock & Robert M Craig for their contributions to this book!  There are so many more I wish to thank and hopefully I can do so at a book launch party in the near future.

The Road to Mirrorless

It has been forever since I have posted anything new to my blog, well over a year.  However, that doesn't mean I have been inactive!  I spent most of 2015 trying to pass all seven of my architecture licensing exams which I successfully finished in November.  It was a very stressful year plus of studying all the time while working.  During that time I have continued to work on my Ponce City Market Project.  I'll share more info on that in another post.  

A big change I have been slowly making has been switching from DSLR to mirrorless gear.  I have many reasons but the biggest has been the size & weight.  Carrying around a big DSLR with a heavy lens has gotten less and less desirable for me.  I have left my camera at home simply because I didn't want to carry it.  I have read a bunch of blogs where people have described a similar mindset, and have looked for a lighter option.  My first leap into the mirrorless world came with the purchase of a used Fuji X-E2 on ebay.  The first lens I attached to it was an old Topcon 58mm F/1.4 with the help of an adapter.  I was immediately impressed by the image quality and ease of use.  It took a little adjustment to figure the camera out and its features, but after that I was off and running.  Soon after, I purchased a 27mm pancake lens, giving me the ultimate small camera/big punch combo.  Now I had a powerful camera that would fit in my everyday work bag.  Lastly, I purchased another adapter for an older Minolta 58mm F/1.4 lens that just came in today.  So far, I have only been shooting jpegs and I have no complaints so far.  The sharpness is great, the electronic viewfinder is amazing, and wifi connectivity certainly helps for those instagram worthy moments.  Below is a collection of images from the past couple of weeks with the Fuji X-E2 and the three lenses listed above.  Most of them are from Lake Allatoona with the 27mm pancake lens.  

So what's next?  Well, the recently launched Fuji X-T2 certainly looks tempting.  I have not completely made the switch, but it is now possible to have multiple cameras and lenses that weigh less than the DSLR gear that I currently have.  

Get Addicted To - Feature

Recently had some Ponce City Market photos featured on Get Addicted To:

http://www.getaddictedto.com/blake-burton-documents-the-transformation-of-atlantas-architectural-heritage/#sthash.nHx9fLHD.dpbs

Tarver & Joanne | Atlanta Wedding Photography

One of the more uniques weddings I have shot for a couple of reasons.  First of all, Tarver is a coworker of mine at Square Feet Studio.  Secondly, he & Joanne had the brilliant idea of hosting their wedding where they live, in midtown Atlanta.  Their historic condo building hosted the ceremony in the original lobby, and the reception was held overlooking on the rooftop overlooking Peachtree Street. Having perfect weather certainly added to the magic of this day!  I'm honored that I could share this wonderful moment with them.  Again, thank you Keith Rogers for second shooting!