I've long had the desire to keep a good camera with me wherever I went. But I never found an option that combined small size with nice controls and great image quality until I picked up the Fuji X100 back in 2011. Since then, I cycled through the Sony NEX-7 and NEX-6, and I've currently got a Fuji X-T1.
But the best camera is always the one you've got with you, right? So I've endeavored to keep the X-T1 (like the NEX-7 and X100 before it) on my person at all times, and I've been rewarded with opportunities to take unique photos in unexpected situations. Enjoy
![1/40s f/2.8 400ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_4639.jpg)
Late night. Hungry. What to do? Find something that's still open in San Jose. So I went, ate, and was on my way back to my car when I noticed a bunch of cops with their lights flashing, heading away from me. Hmm...
So I did what any curious photojournalist would and I started following them, but then, it seemed like they were coming toward me. Yep, definitely coming toward me. Then when they hit the intersection, they broke; some went left (my right), some went straight.
Then they turned around and did it again. Near as I could tell, they weren't really going anywhere, so much as just making their presence known. I imagine it was related that the time was 1:45 am, so likely pretty close to last call.
![1/40s f/2.8 4000ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_6464.jpg)
Dinnertime in Flushing. I was walking around Flushing, Queens, NY when I spotted a bus driver having dinner in a parked bus at night. I wonder if it was the beginning or end of his shift...
![1/60s f/2.8 3200ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_7032.jpg)
I was catching up with some friends at Smuggler's Cove, up in San Francisco. It was impossibly dark. Think "pitch black at 1/30s, f/2.8, 3200ISO, and underexposed at 1/15s, f/2.8, 25600ISO."
So I had given up on getting any decent photos until I was reminded that flaming drinks are something of a specialty there. After watching a performance at an adjacent table, I had the settings dialed in to get this shot as the server carried the flame upward with some sort of fast-burning fuel.
![1/40s f/2.8 1600ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_7251.jpg)
Red Crawfish, San Mateo. We were lucky to be seated near where the servers were stationed, and I watched as they grabbed plates and silverware, and cut sections off a giant roll of the paper that they used for disposable tablecloths.
![1/58s f/2.8 200ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_7121.jpg)
Some friends invited me to lunch at Dropbox, up in San Francisco. As I stood in line, with a plate already balanced in one hand, I was able to use the tilting LCD screen to compose this shot with the camera hanging down at my waist. I immediately spotted the awesome, slightly ragged symmetry of the seating arrangement when I got in line, but I had to wait until the line moved forward a few meters for the composition to actually capture that symmetry.
After getting home and reviewing those photos, I realized that the man in red had noticed me awkwardly fumbling with the camera (which I didn't realize at the time). I had taken three photos, and this was the only one where he wasn't watching me. Worked out, though.
![1/125s f/8.0 200ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_7140.jpg)
I was having lunch at work when I heard the sound of a very large helicopter outside. I looked, didn't see anything, and went back to my meal. Then I looked again and was surprised to find a V-22 Osprey essentially patrolling the sky around our campus. I was surprised at how much noise it made while approaching, and conversely, at how quiet it sounded as it flew away. Rumor was that President Obama was in the area.
![1/40s f/2.8 1250ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_6740.jpg)
And, back to NYC (but Manhattan, this time). We went to a hand-made noodle place, and I was able to take some photos as one of the chefs pulled the noodles. I've often watched, but this was the first time I've had a good opportunity to photograph as well. And if you're wondering, yes, the noodles were really tasty :o)
![1/550s f/3.2 200ISO 41mm](https://blog.doppler-photo.net/content/images/migrated_images/2014/08/open-carry-photos-in-unexpected-places/xt1_6117.jpg)
Do you remember this fellow's name? I know he's from Charlie Brown, but that's all. Anyway, 'twas painted on a wall in Downtown Richmond, VA.