ILC alternative to the DSLR?

Are you dissatisfied with the image quality and performance of a point-and-shoot camera (compact camera) but not willing to carry around a bulky DSLR? In that case, ILC camera is what you might need. 

Recently, the camera market has seen the introduction of a new type of digital camera- ILC (Interchangeable-Lens Camera). Basically,  the ILC camera (also known as the "mirror-less" camera) is similar to the point-and-shoot camera, except that they have interchangeable lenses like the DSLR. What's interesting about these cameras is that they don't have a mirror box which reflects the image to an optical viewfinder.

Sometimes, I myself had trouble carrying around a heavy DSLR. So, (despite some of their limitations), the ILC can be alternative to the DSLR  if you are looking for the power and flexibility of an interchangeable-lens system but without the bulk.

What are their limitations exactly? Well.. their auto-focus system is significantly slower than the type used by the DSLR. This is why you need a DSLR when you are trying to capture fast moving subjects (e.g., at sports events).

Anyway, virtually all the major camera manufacturers produce models of this type with the exception of Canon. Below you can find some of the ILC cameras I recommend.

1. Olympus PEN E-PL2

- Price: $599.99
- It generates the best photos with the most accurate colors (without tweaking)

via Olympusamerica

sample photo

2. Lumix DMC-GF2

- Price: $374-$699
- Stylish+relatively compact with a touch screen interface

via Panasonic

3. Pentax Q

- Price: $460-$799

- It is probably the smallest, and the lightest ILC in the world(some users with large hands have a difficulty holding it). This camera is so cute.

Via Pentaximaging

4. Ricoh GXR

- Price: $397-$1,109

- It has a reputation of high quality small sensor camera

Via Ricoh

Christer Stromholm: Les Amies de Place Blanche (Midtown)

“Christer Strömholm: Les Amies de Place Blanche,” - This is exhibition is on view through Sept. 2 at the International Center of Photography. 

Les Amies de Place Blanche is a photo essay documentation published in 1983 by Christer Strömholm (1918–2002).  When it was published, it raised serious issues about sexuality and gender. In the essay book Strömholm said, "It was then—and still is—about obtaining the freedom to choose one's own life and identity."  


This photo exhibition presents 40 of the more than 140 pictures that appeared in this book.

To explain who this Christer Strömholm is.. He was one of the great photographers of the 20th century. In 1959, he moved to Paris and settled in Place Blanche in the center of the city's red-light district. There he became friends with young transgender males struggling to live as women and to raise money for sex-change operations.  In those times in Paris, "these women" were socially persecuted (by law) and they were left with little choice but to sell their bodies (as a last resort).

While sharing friendships with these women, Christer Strömholm developed compassion towards these women.  Also, by publishing his essay book, he tried to emphasize the cruelty these women had to endure in those times.

This exhibition is the first presentation of Strömholm's work in an American museum. 

photos by Christer Strömholm

4 Continents 4 Changes (Soho)

There is going to be in an interesting world-tour photo exhibition in Soho on July 5 6:00-8:00 at Soho Photo Gallery. It was a great success in Italy, and now this Shoot4Change photo tour is getting ready for its amazing photo exhibition in NY.

The people who are organizing this world-tour photo event (called Shoot 4 Change) are made out of photographers, designers, and artists. And the aim of this non-profit organization is to raise public awareness on social issues in 4 continents (Asia, America, Europe, and Africa). For example, the stories they are featuring include the Muslim communities in Myanmar who are suffering persecution, the streets of Fukushima after the 2011 Tsunami, children suffering from the cancer epidemic after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster..etc.

Shoot 4 Change have over 1,000 volunteer photographer across the world. These people don't think that they can change the world dramatically through these exhibitions. However, they are hopeful in their belief that by unfolding those stories that the mainstream media would not feature, they can make people more aware on social issues. They say that they are not activists, that they are just reporters, journalists, photographers, and photo enthusiasts who want to give their eyes and lens to those who cannot afford to have their voices heard or their colors seen.

I think this exhibition is interesting because of the motivation. It is not just a photo exhibition for a profit. It is for a social cause, and a global change. I wish that there were more of these types of photo exhibitions in NY. I will definitely go take a look at this one. I am so excited about this event.  :)

Price: Free Admission

via Shoot 4 Change

Digital VS Film

What is the difference between a digital camera and a film camera? And which one is better? These are frequently asked questions by camera users.


Well. Both of them are used for similar purposes, but they are different from each other. Below I compared some of the major differences between digital and film.


  Buy film cameras if..

• Price is an issue. Although prices for digital cameras have come down significantly, film cameras are generally cheaper.
• You want images to be more sharper and higher in quality, also film is able to capture more information.
• You need to produce slides (you need a lot of megapixels for digital images).
• You want to give highlights to your images (e.g., bright sunsets)
• You want to produce a broader range of color.
• You need extreme lenses: superwise, long telephoto, 1:1 macro

 Buy digital cameras if.. 

• You need to put your images on the Internet right away.
• You need to shoot in low light conditions (use a digital SLR).
• You want to make your own color prints at home.
• You are going to publish in print or Internet or email.
• You want to store exact copies of your original images (color film fades).
•  You are worried about storage space (Digital stored on CDs or hard drives can take much less space)

There is no absolute answer to a question regarding which one is better. Choose your camera that bests suites your circumstances and needs.  Personally,I have a preference for film cameras because it takes more efforts and a heart to produce a result. But you can't ignore the beats the convenience that digital offers.

Blow you can see the difference yourself between a film and a digital.

Enlarged Crop from Film Image scanned via KenRockwell

Enlarged Crop from Film Image via KenRockwell

Types of Camera

Today I am going to talk about types of camera. As much as I am interested in photography, I want to learn about cameras or what brands are best suited for a specific use.

Basically, there are 3 types of camera - Digital cameras, High-end cameras, and DSLR cameras. What are the differences among these cameras? Let's talk about it one by one.

You all know what digital cameras are. Digital cameras record and store photographic images in digital form. Then what is DSLR?

DSLR means Digital Single Lense Reflux. A reflux camera has a mirror in the viewfinder that reflects the exact shot (including borders) that the camera will take. Most DSLR cameras allow the photographer to change lenses for a broader range of fucus.

What are high-end cameras? High-end cameras are more expensive ones than DSLR cameras but they boast the best quality. Their features include higher speed (10,000 frames per second), higher pixel count (mega-pixel), better color, and alternative electrical and mechanical interfaces, such as USB.


The biggest difference between High-end cameras and DSLR cameras is that high-end cameras don't allow you to change lenses. Other than that, they have similar functions.
I have never used a high-end camera, and I am tempted to buy one of them soon.

Digital Camera

High-end Camera

DSLR Camera

EunKwang Light Park (Queens)

Today I am going to blog about a Korean photographer EunKwang Light Park. He is having a photo exhibition in Long Island City in Queens, NY.from June 15th through 28th at bcs gallery. This would be his very first photo exhibition in New York and the theme of this exhibition is 'Beyond The Light'.


To give you a brief description of the photographer's background, EunKwang Light Park was born in Busan and raised in Seoul, Korea, Eun Kwang is a fine art photographer currently based in New York City. He started pursuing photography when he was in middle school, and graduated Sang Myung University, Korea in 2006.He moved to New York in 2008, and currently studying at Parsons the New School for Design for MFA. Through his most recent project ‘Beyond The Light', he focuses on human desire by uncovering numerous illusions through light.


Obscurity, fear, and desire.. are the words that can properly describe the impressions I got from his pictures when I first saw them. In his pictures are there darkness and a light. 
What does this mean? EunKwang Park explains that this reflects the dynamic of human desire. Because of the brightness of the light, its source is never revealed, not is what creates it or what exists there. The very moment when the light shines so brightly onto something (revealing everything it touches on), ironically, it hides everything on the opposite end of light. In my view, darkness and light represent the same thing; existence. They are just in a different element. They cannot exist without each other. They are of no value without each other's presence. Darkness is a blessing because it's a time for silence and self-reflection. Light is a miracle because it's a source for creation and hope. EunKwang assumes that human desire begins from something unknown and somewhere unreachable. Just like the dark end of the light.

For those of you who want to check this out,

Location: 38-65 12th St, Long Island city, NY 11101 bcs Gallery 

Photograph by EunKwang Park

20 years of Bryant Park (Midtown)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of re-opening of Bryant Park. To celebrate this, the park is now displaying photos featuring "20 Years of Bryant Park" around the park's fence through June 29. The photos include the past and the present times of the park as well as the history behind it. I was surprised to find out that such a vibrant and welcoming park (it attracts more than 6 million visitors every year) was once a deserted place where a number of homeless people and drug-dealers were wandering around. As one of many people who love this park (I pass by Bryant Park because it is right across the building where I take my classes), I can't imagine Bryant Park regarded as one of the dangerous places in New York people try to avoid. As we all know now, Bryant Park went through a dynamic transformation and it offers hundreds of interesting events, programs, and activities. If you are curious about how it looked like decades ago, you should check it out. Bryant Park is on 42 street between 5th and 6th Ave. 

These are some of the photos on display now.

Park Reconstruction (via Brynt Park)

1984:Before: The corner of West 42nd and 6 Av was empty, strewn with litter (via flickr)

Present (2012)