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Photography · Sierra Nevada · California

ADD/
SUBTRACT

Music is an additive art — you build from nothing.
Photography is a subtractive art — you remove until only truth remains.

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8+
Years Shooting
A1·II
Primary Body
107
FAA Part
01
Gallery
Photography & Aerials
02
Blog
Photography · Gear · Ideas
03
Reviews
Honest Gear Takes
04
Gear
Kit & Setup
// 01 Gallery

RECENT WORK

View All
Portrait
Portrait Series
Landscape
M11-P · Landscape
Concert
Live Music
Aerial
Mavic 4 Pro
// 02–03 Blog & Reviews

LATEST POSTS

All Posts
Review
March 2026 · 8 min

Sony A1 II vs A9 III: Two Seasons In

A year of shooting concerts, aerials and family sessions with both bodies. Here's what the specs don't tell you.

Seth · SCR Photos
Blog
Feb 2026 · 5 min

Why I Moved My Entire Library to Capture One

The migration was painful. The results weren't. Catalog structure, color science, and what I miss about Lightroom.

Seth · Add/Subtract
Review
Jan 2026 · 7 min

Leica M11-P Safari: Six Months of Real Use

60MP, manual focus only, and the first camera with hardware Content Credentials. What it's like to actually live with it.

Seth · Add/Subtract
// 04 Services

WHAT I OFFER

Book Now
01
Portrait & Family

Sony A1 II, full prime kit, MagMod flash. Delivered via Pic-Time gallery.

02
Aerial Photography

FAA Part 107 certified. Sierra Nevada foothills and Greater Sacramento region.

03
Event & Concert

Dual-body Sony and Leica rigs. Fast delivery. Low-light specialist.

04
Consulting & Workshops

Capture One training, workflow consulting, Framer strategy. Remote or in-person.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Available for bookings · Inquiries · Collaborations

Get In Touch

// 01 Portfolio

VISUAL
WORK

Photography · Aerials · Portraits · Concerts · Landscape

Sierra Nevada · Aerial
Sierra Nevada · DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Portrait
Portrait · Sony A1 II
Landscape
Landscape · M11-P
Concert
Live · Sony A9 III
Aerial
Foothills · Aerial
Street
Street · Leica M11-P
Family
Family Session
Drone
Sunrise · Aerial
Night
Nightscape · A1 II
340+
Images Published
Part 107
FAA Certified
A1 II
Primary Camera
M11-P
Leica Secondary

// 02 Editorial

THE
BLOG

Photography workflow, gear philosophy, audio experiments, and notes from the Sierra Nevada foothills. Long-form and honest.

Read Latest
Featured Post Thumbnail
Latest Post
Why I Moved My Entire Library to Capture One
Feb 2026 · 5 min read
All Posts

RECENT WRITING

Archive
Blog
Feb 2026 · 5 min

Why I Moved My Entire Library to Capture One

The migration was painful. The results weren't. Color science and what I miss about Lightroom.

Seth
Review
Jan 2026 · 8 min

Sony A1 II: Six Months of Real Work

Beyond the specs — how this body actually behaves at 30fps in low light at a concert venue.

Seth
Blog
Dec 2025 · 6 min

Fractal Axe-Fx III: One Year of Worship Gigs

In a low-stage-volume church context where feel matters more than headroom.

Seth
Blog
Nov 2025 · 4 min

Shooting Leica in the Sierra Nevada Foothills

The M11-P as a hiking companion — what it forces you to think about differently.

Seth
Review
Oct 2025 · 7 min

DJI Mavic 4 Pro After 50 Flights

The drone I actually reach for. Real-world Part 107 commercial work in California.

Seth
Blog
Sep 2025 · 3 min

The Case for a Two-Camera System

Why Sony for events and Leica for personal work isn't redundancy — it's a workflow philosophy.

Seth
Blog
Coming Soon · 8 min

Fractal Axe-Fx III Turbo: The Modeller That Changed Everything

1,024 presets, Cygnus X2 modeling, and zero stage volume. Why this is the benchmark everything else gets compared to.

Seth
Blog
Coming Soon · 7 min

Darkglass Anagram: Bass Modelling Has Finally Grown Up

Hexacore DSP, NAM integration, and a 7" touchscreen. What happens when a bass-focused company builds its own platform.

Seth
Blog
Coming Soon · 6 min

Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini: Same Brain, Half the Footprint

Six SHARC cores, Neural Capture V2, and a form factor that finally fits a board. Real-world comparison with the full QC.

Seth
// Software & Workflow
Workflow
Coming Soon · 7 min

Lightroom Desktop: The Cloud-First Editing Experience

Adobe's subscription-based mobile-synced editor has matured. Where it excels, where it still frustrates, and who it's actually designed for.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 6 min

Lightroom Mobile: A Serious Tool or a Companion App?

Editing on iPhone and iPad with a full Sony or Leica library synced. The honest answer to whether mobile editing belongs in a real workflow.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 8 min

Lightroom Classic: Still the Standard After 18 Years

Local catalog, GPU acceleration, the best masking in the industry. Why Classic isn't going anywhere — and why Adobe keeps it alive.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 9 min

Lightroom Classic vs Lightroom Desktop: Which One Do You Actually Need?

They share a name but not a philosophy. A direct comparison of catalog vs cloud, local vs synced, and which fits which type of photographer.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 10 min

Capture One 24: A Year After the Migration

Eighty thousand images moved from Lightroom. Color science, session workflow, tethering, and the things I still miss about Adobe after twelve months.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 8 min

DXO PhotoLab 9: The Best RAW Processor Nobody Talks About

PRIME and DeepPRIME noise reduction that genuinely outperforms everything else. A full workflow review from import to export.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 6 min

DXO PureRaw 6: One Job, Done Exceptionally Well

Not an editor — a pre-processor. Drop in your RAW files, get back cleaner files for any downstream editor. The case for a single-purpose tool.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 7 min

Evoto: AI Retouching That Actually Knows Faces

Portrait retouching accelerated. Skin, eyes, hair, teeth — all processed with enough control that the results still look human. Real-world portrait workflow test.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 5 min

AfterShot: The Lightroom Alternative You've Never Tried

Corel's local-catalog RAW editor. Faster than Classic on older hardware, perpetual license, and a surprisingly capable colour engine. Worth a look.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 6 min

Pic-Time: Delivering Client Galleries the Right Way

The gallery platform behind every portrait delivery. Store sales, mobile apps, print fulfilment, and why the client experience matters as much as the images.

Seth
Workflow
Coming Soon · 5 min

HoneyBook: Running the Business Side of Photography

Contracts, invoices, questionnaires, and scheduling — all in one CRM. How HoneyBook handles the back office so you can focus on the work.

Seth
Topics
Photography14 Posts
Gear Reviews9 Posts
Software & Workflow11 Posts
Audio5 Posts
Aerial4 Posts
Adobe Lightroom4 Posts
Capture One2 Posts
DXO2 Posts
Client Delivery2 Posts

// 06 Honest Takes

GEAR REVIEWS

Long-term real-world testing — no press samples, no PR relationships

Featured Review
Sony A1 II vs A9 III: Two Seasons In
Camera · March 2026 · 8 min read
Drone
DJI Mavic 4 Pro After 50 Flights
Modeller
Fractal Axe-Fx III Turbo: Worship Context
Software
Capture One vs Lightroom: 1 Year Later
◈ Camera Bag · Sony · Leica
PHOTO REVIEWS
Sony · Leica · G Master · Sigma Art · Lighting · Drones · Accessories
// Cameras

CAMERA BODIES

All Cameras
Camera
—
Sony · Full Frame · Flagship

Sony A1 Mark II

50.1MP stacked sensor. 30fps. 8.5-stop IBIS. The primary workhorse — real-world assessment after extended use.

In Progress
Camera
—
Sony · Full Frame · Global Shutter

Sony A9 Mark III

First full-frame global shutter camera. 120fps RAW. 1/80,000s flash sync at any speed. What changes in practice.

In Progress
Camera
—
Nikon · Full Frame · Retro

Nikon ZF

24.5MP BSI. EXPEED 7. 8-stop Focus-Point IBIS. Retro dials that actually work. Legacy lens heaven.

In Progress
Camera
—
Leica · Rangefinder · Safari Edition

Leica M11-P (Safari)

60.3MP. Manual focus only. World's first camera with hardware Content Credentials. 256GB internal. No video.

In Progress
Camera
—
Leica · Fixed Lens · 43mm

Leica Q3 43

60MP. APO-Summicron 43mm f/2. First Q with an apochromatic lens. Natural perspective. Leaf shutter sync at any speed.

In Progress
// Sony E-Mount Lenses
Lens
—
Sony G Master · 50-150mm f/2

Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM

f/2 throughout the zoom range. Event and portrait workhorse. What a constant f/2 zoom changes.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sony G Master · 28-70mm f/2

Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM

Released alongside the A1 II. Constant f/2 wide-to-portrait range. How it performs in real sessions.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sony G Master · 70-200mm f/2.8 II

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II

Dual XD Linear Motor AF. 1,045g. The event and concert telephoto. Two seasons of real work.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sony G Master · 50mm f/1.4

Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM

Dual XD Linear. 516g. Renders beautifully wide open. The portrait session standard.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sony G Master · 35mm f/1.4

Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM

The daily driver. 524g. Stays on the A1 II most of the time. Why this focal length works for everything.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sony G Master · 24mm f/1.4

Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM

445g. Environmental portraits, landscapes, event coverage. f/1.4 at 24mm is a different kind of image.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sony G · 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G

1:1 macro. OSS stabilization. Doubles as a portrait lens. The versatile G that punches above its class.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sigma Art · 14-24mm f/2.8

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art

795g. No front filter. Ultra-wide for aerials, architecture, astro. Art line quality at a non-GM price.

In Progress
Lens
—
Sigma Art · 85mm f/1.4

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art

1,130g. Optically superb. Autofocus that keeps up. The heavyweight portrait lens that earns its place.

In Progress
// Lighting
Lighting
—
Flashpoint · Strobe

Flashpoint AD600 Pro II: Location Portraits

600Ws battery strobe. Overpowers direct sun. The workhorse for outdoor sessions and event fill.

In Progress
Lighting
—
Flashpoint · Strobe

Flashpoint AD200 Pro II: Run-and-Gun

200Ws portable strobe. Three in rotation. TTL, HSS, and a head that swaps in seconds.

In Progress
Lighting
—
MagMod · Flash Modifier

MagMod System: Octaboxes, Strips & Beauty Dishes

Magnetic modifiers that actually stay put. Speed and consistency across portrait sessions.

In Progress
Lighting
—
Godox · Speedlight

Godox V100 & V1 Pro: On-Camera Flash

Round-head speedlights for events where a full strobe kit isn't practical. How they integrate with Sony.

In Progress
Lighting
—
Westcott · Reflector

Westcott Eyelighter 3: Portrait Sessions

The curved clamshell reflector. How it changes the look on location and why it earns the bag space.

In Progress
// Software
Software
—
Phase One · DAM / Editing

Capture One 24: Full Migration Guide

Coming from Lightroom with 80k images. What worked, what broke, what I'd do differently.

In Progress
Software
—
Adobe · Comparison

Lightroom Classic vs Desktop: Which Do You Need?

Same subscription, different philosophies. Local catalogue vs cloud-first — a direct comparison for photographers.

In Progress
Software
—
DXO · Photo Editing

DXO PhotoLab 9: Best RAW Noise Reduction Available

DeepPRIME XD2 noise reduction. Automatic optical corrections. Perpetual licence. The pre-processor that changes what your files look like.

In Progress
Software
—
Evoto · AI Retouching

Evoto AI: Portrait Retouching That Actually Looks Human

Batch portrait retouching with skin, eyes, teeth, and hair — without the plastic finish typical AI tools produce.

In Progress
Service
—
Pic-Time · Client Delivery

Pic-Time: Client Gallery Delivery Done Right

Unlimited storage, store sales, mobile app, and print fulfilment. The platform behind every portrait delivery.

In Progress
Service
—
HoneyBook · CRM

HoneyBook: Running the Business Side of Photography

Contracts, invoices, scheduling, automations. How HoneyBook handles the back office so you can focus on the images.

In Progress
// Drones & Action Cameras
Drone
—
DJI · Aerial · Part 107

DJI Mavic 4 Pro: Commercial Work

What holds up after real Part 107 commercial work in the California foothills. Long-term assessment.

In Progress
Action Cam
—
DJI · Action Camera

DJI Osmo Action 5: Event & Run-and-Gun

When the A1 II is too conspicuous. Action cam as a B-camera in real event and outdoor contexts.

In Progress
Action Cam
—
DJI · Pocket Camera

DJI Osmo Pocket 3: Handheld Gimbal

The smallest stabilized camera in the kit. Where it earns its place and where it doesn't.

In Progress
360°
—
Insta360 · 360° Camera

Insta360 X5: 360° for Events

360° video as a creative tool rather than a gimmick. Real-world event and aerial use cases.

In Progress
// M-Mount Lenses & Accessories
Lens
—
Leica · M-Mount · 35mm f/1.4

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim Reissue

The classic pre-ASPH Summilux reissued. Painterly rendering, 10-blade aperture. On the M11-P for landscape and documentary work.

In Progress
Lens
—
Light Lens Lab · M-Mount · 35mm f/2

LLL 35mm f/2 8-Element Titanium

Recreation of the classic 1969 Summicron 8-element. Titanium finish. Exceptional rendering at a fraction of the original ’s price.

In Progress
Lens
—
Light Lens Lab · M-Mount · 35mm f/1.4

LLL 35mm f/1.4 DA 11873 Titanium

Double Aspherical. Titanium. f/1.4 at 35mm in an M-mount package. The fastest 35mm in the bag.

In Progress
Lens
—
Light Lens Lab · M-Mount · 50mm f/1.2

LLL 50mm f/1.2 1966 Titanium

Noctilux-inspired rendering. f/1.2, 12-blade aperture. Dreamy wide open — the character lens of the bag.

In Progress
Lens
—
Leica · M-Mount · 50mm f/2

Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Safari

The benchmark 50mm. Safari finish. Benchmark sharpness, classic Leica colour rendering. Pairs perfectly with the M11-P Safari.

In Progress
Lens
—
Voigtlander · M-Mount · 50mm f/1

Nokton 50mm f/1

The fastest standard lens available in M-mount. f/1.0, 12-blade aperture. Wide open is its own art form.

In Progress
Lens
—
Voigtlander · M-Mount · 28mm f/2

Ultron 28mm f/2 Type II

Compact, sharp, 6-bit coded. AF-capable via Techart adapter on Sony. The M-mount wide for street and documentary.

In Progress
Lens
—
Thypoch · M-Mount · 28mm f/1.4

Simera 28mm f/1.4

Rare f/1.4 at 28mm in M-mount. Compact, sharp wide open, excellent value vs comparable Leica options.

In Progress
Lens
—
7artisans · M-Mount · 75mm f/1.25

7artisans 75mm f/1.25 v2

Portrait focal length at f/1.25. Extraordinary subject separation on the M11-P. v2 brings improved sharpness.

In Progress
Accessory
—
Techart · M→E AF Adapter

Techart Pro M→E AF Adapter

Autofocus for any M-mount lens on Sony E-mount bodies. Enables eye-AF with manual glass. What it can and can’t do.

In Progress
Accessory
—
Megadap · M→Nikon Z AF Adapter

Megadap ETZ21 Pro+

Phase-detect AF for M-mount lenses on Nikon Z bodies. Phase-detect means faster response than Techart on Sony.

In Progress
♩ Music
MUSIC REVIEWS
Instruments · Amps & Cabs · Modellers · Pedals & Effects · Software · Accessories
// Modellers

AMP MODELLERS

All Music Reviews
Modeller
—
Fractal Audio · Axe-Fx III Turbo

Fractal Axe-Fx III Turbo

1,024 presets. 300+ amps. Cygnus X2 modeling. 8×8 USB audio. The benchmark — real worship rig context.

In Progress
Modeller
—
Darkglass · Bass Workstation

Darkglass Anagram

Hexacore DSP. NAM integration. 50+ effects. 7" touchscreen. Purpose-built bass platform. Studio and live.

In Progress
Modeller
—
Neural DSP · Quad Cortex Mini

Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini

Same 6-core SHARC as flagship QC. 50% smaller. 90+ amps. Neural Capture V1 & V2. 7" touchscreen. 1.5kg.

In Progress

// 07 The Camera Bag

THE CAMERA
BAG

Every piece of kit I use for paid and personal photography — Sony, Leica, and everything in between. No affiliate links, no sponsored posts.

Primary BodySony A1 II
RangefinderLeica M11-P Safari
Fixed LensLeica Q3 43
AerialDJI Mavic 4 Pro
Post ProcessingCapture One 24
CertificationFAA Part 107
Primary Kit Photo
◈ Camera Bag · Sony · Leica
CAMERA BAG
Sony · Leica · Nikon · Lenses · Lighting · Drones · Accessories
◈ // Sony system — bodies & E-mount lenses
Sony
A1 II

50.1MP stacked sensor. 30fps mechanical. 8.5-stop IBIS. The primary workhorse for events, portraits, and aerials.

Mirrorless Body
Sony
A9 III

Full-frame global shutter. 120fps RAW. Flash sync at any speed. The concert and sports body.

Mirrorless Body
Sony
50-150mm f/2 GM

Constant f/2 throughout the zoom range. The event and portrait telephoto workhorse.

Zoom Lens
Sony
28-70mm f/2 GM

Constant f/2 wide-to-portrait. Released alongside the A1 II. Stays on the body most days.

Zoom Lens
Sony
70-200mm f/2.8 GM II

Dual XD Linear Motor. 1,045g. Concert and event telephoto — two seasons of real work.

Zoom Lens
Sony
35mm f/1.4 GM

The daily driver. 524g. Stays on the A1 II most of the time. The focal length that works for everything.

Prime Lens
Sony
50mm f/1.4 GM

Dual XD Linear. 516g. Renders beautifully wide open. The portrait session standard.

Prime Lens
Sony
24mm f/1.4 GM

445g. Environmental portraits, landscapes, event coverage. f/1.4 at 24mm is a different kind of image.

Prime Lens
Sony
90mm f/2.8 Macro G

1:1 macro. OSS stabilisation. Doubles as a portrait lens. The versatile G that punches above its class.

Macro Lens
Sigma
14-24mm f/2.8 Art

795g. No front filter. Ultra-wide for aerials, architecture, astro. Art-line quality at a non-GM price.

Wide Zoom
Sigma
85mm f/1.4 Art

1,130g. Optically superb. Autofocus that keeps up. The heavyweight portrait lens.

Prime Lens
◈ // Leica system — M-mount & Q bodies
Leica
M11-P Safari

60.3MP BSI sensor. Manual focus only. First camera with hardware Content Credentials. 256GB internal. The intentional camera.

Rangefinder Body
Leica
Q3 43

60MP. APO-Summicron 43mm f/2. First Q with an apochromatic lens. Natural field of view. Leaf shutter flash sync at any speed.

Fixed Lens Body
Leica
35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim Reissue

The classic Summilux reissued. Pre-ASPH rendering — painterly and three-dimensional. On the M11-P for landscape work.

M-Mount Prime
Light Lens Lab
35mm f/2 8-element Titanium

LLL's recreation of the classic Summicron 8-element. Titanium finish. Exceptional rendering for the price.

M-Mount Prime
Light Lens Lab
35mm f/1.4 DA 11873 Titanium

Double Aspherical construction. Titanium. The fastest 35mm in the M bag.

M-Mount Prime
Light Lens Lab
50mm f/1.2 1966

Noctilux-inspired. Dreamy wide open. Titanium finish. The character lens.

M-Mount Prime
Leica
50mm f/2 Summicron v5 Safari

The benchmark 50mm. Safari finish. Modern sharpness with classic Leica rendering.

M-Mount Prime
Voigtlander
Nokton 50mm f/1

The fastest 50mm available in M-mount. 1,100g of f/1.0 — wide open is its own art form.

M-Mount Prime
Voigtlander
28mm f/2 Ultron II

Compact, sharp, and AF-capable via Techart adapter. The street photography wide.

M-Mount Prime
Thypoch
Simera 28mm f/1.4

Fast 28mm with exceptional rendering. One of the best value propositions in M-mount.

M-Mount Prime
7artisans
75mm f/1.25 v2

Portrait focal length in M-mount. f/1.25 delivers extraordinary subject separation.

M-Mount Prime
Techart
Pro AF Adapter (M→E)

Autofocus adapter for M-mount lenses on Sony E-mount. Makes manual glass fully AF-capable.

Adapter
Megadap
ETZ21 Pro+

M-mount to Nikon Z. AF-capable. Bridges the Leica glass to the Nikon ZF system.

Adapter
◈ // Nikon system
Nikon
ZF

24.5MP BSI sensor. EXPEED 7. 8-stop Focus-Point IBIS. Retro dials that work. The legacy glass body.

Mirrorless Body
◈ // Lighting
Flashpoint
AD600 Pro II

600Ws battery strobe. Overpowers direct sun. The primary location and event strobe.

Strobe
Flashpoint
AD200 Pro II (×3)

200Ws portable strobe. Three in rotation for multi-light setups. TTL, HSS, swappable heads.

Strobe
Godox
V100

Round-head speedlight. For events where a full strobe kit is overkill. Integrates seamlessly with Sony.

Speedlight
Godox
V1 Pro

Round-head speedlight with built-in round reflector. On-camera fill and bounce work.

Speedlight
MagMod
Octaboxes · Strips · Beauty Dishes

Magnetic modifiers. Speed and consistency across portrait sessions. Stays put in the field.

Modifier System
Westcott
Eyelighter 3

Curved clamshell reflector. Changes the look on location. Earns its bag space on portrait jobs.

Reflector
◈ // Drones & action cameras · FAA Part 107
DJI
Mavic 4 Pro

The primary commercial drone. Hasselblad colour. Part 107 certified flights across the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento region.

Drone · Part 107
DJI
Mavic Pro

The original Mavic. Still in rotation for location scouting and redundancy on commercial jobs.

Drone · Backup
DJI
Osmo Action 5

When the A1 II is too conspicuous. Action cam as a B-camera for events, outdoor work, and action sequences.

Action Camera
DJI
Osmo Pocket 3

The smallest stabilised camera in the kit. 1-inch sensor, mechanically stabilised gimbal. Run-and-gun documentary.

Pocket Camera
DJI
Osmo Nano

Ultra-compact for travel. When pack weight matters more than image quality.

Compact Camera
Insta360
X5

360° video as a creative tool. Used aerially and at events for immersive coverage and reframing in post.

360° Camera
◈ // Software
Phase One
Capture One 24

Full library migrated from Lightroom. Superior colour science, session workflow, and tethering. The post-processing standard.

Photo Editing / DAM

// 05 Digital & Print

THE STORE

Presets · Prints · Courses · Templates — all built from real work, not theory

Products

ALL ITEMS

New Arrivals
New
Capture One Preset
Sierra Suite
$28
12 presets · instant download
Fine Art Print
Foothills #7
$120
16×20 · signed · limited to 25
Sale
Course
Capture One Migration
$49
3.5 hrs · Lightroom → C1
Framer Template
Photographer Portfolio
$79
CMS · responsive · this design

// 04 Hire Seth

LET'S
WORK

Available for portrait sessions, aerial assignments, event coverage, consulting, and Capture One training. Sierra Nevada foothills and Greater Sacramento.

8+
Years
107
FAA Part
A1 II
Primary
Start an Enquiry

// Booking Widget Integration

Please paste your HoneyBook or StudioNinja embed code here.

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What I Do

ALL SERVICES

01
Portrait & Family

Location and studio sessions. Sony A1 II with a full prime kit and MagMod flash system. Delivered via Pic-Time gallery within 5 business days.

Enquire about this service →
02
Aerial Photography

FAA Part 107 certified. Commercial and editorial aerial work. Sierra Nevada foothills and Greater Sacramento. Insured for commercial assignments.

Enquire about this service →
03
Event & Concert

High-speed event coverage with dual-body Sony and Leica rigs. Low-light specialist. Fast 48-hour turnaround available for editorial deadlines.

Enquire about this service →
04
Consulting & Workshops

Workflow consulting, Capture One training, and Framer web strategy for photographers. One-on-one sessions remote or in-person near Sacramento.

Enquire about this service →

// 08 The Person

SETH
RUSACKAS

Portrait, aerial, and event photographer based in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento. US Navy veteran. Sony and Leica shooter. FAA Part 107 certified.

Portrait Photography Aerial · FAA Part 107 Sony · Leica US Navy Veteran Capture One Event & Concert Sierra Nevada Healthcare Tech VP
Start a Conversation
// Background

THE STORY

The name is the philosophy. Music is an additive art — you start with silence and build, layering until something exists that didn't before. Photography is a subtractive art — you start with the entire world and remove: the frame removes everything outside it, black and white removes color, the decisive moment removes every other second. Add/Subtract is what happens when those two ideas share a brain.

I served in the US Navy before any of this — a formative chapter that shaped how I approach discipline, systems, and showing up. That same mindset runs through how I shoot: kit that works reliably, workflow that doesn't fight you, and a preference for preparation over luck.

Photography started as a way to document the Sierra Nevada foothills — one of the most visually specific landscapes in California. It grew into portraits, concerts, aerials, and a business. I shoot on Sony and Leica, process in Capture One, and fly commercially under FAA Part 107 certification. The dual-system approach — Sony A1 II for speed and reliability, Leica M11-P for intentionality — reflects the same subtractive logic: choose the tool that removes the most friction between the idea and the image.

The day job is VP of Field Service Operations for a healthcare technology company. The operational thinking crosses over more than you'd expect.

LocationSierra Nevada Foothills, CA
ServiceUS Navy, Retired
Day JobVP, Field Service Operations
Primary CameraSony A1 II
RangefinderLeica M11-P Safari
DroneDJI Mavic 4 Pro
CertificationFAA Part 107
PostCapture One 24
InstrumentsGuitar · Bass
Built WithCustom HTML/CSS/JS
// What I Use

CURRENT KIT

Camera — Primary
Sony A1 II

30fps, 50MP. Event, concert, and aerial. Two years of daily professional use.

Camera — Secondary
Leica M11-P

60MP rangefinder. Personal and landscape work. Slows everything down in the best way.

Camera — Backup
Sony A9 III

Global shutter. Concert and sports alongside the A1 II.

Aerial
DJI Mavic 4 Pro

Part 107 commercial aerial. 50+ flights across the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Amp Modeler
Fractal Axe-Fx III Turbo

Worship and recording. Full IEM rig, zero stage volume, one year in weekly service.

Post Processing
Capture One 24

Full library migrated from Lightroom. Color science, catalog, tethering.

// Audio Side

GUITAR & BASS

Not professional — but serious. Guitar and bass have been there since my teens, and that side of things now lives in the blog, not the gear page. Writing about the Axe-Fx III, the Darkglass Anagram, and the QC Mini is how the ADD/SUBTRACT philosophy shows up in musical form.

Music is where I get to add. Photography is where I get to subtract. One art builds from silence; the other strips from everything. Both demand the same obsessive attention to craft — just in opposite directions.

The gear nerd overlap with photography is obvious in retrospect — both reward understanding your tools deeply rather than chasing new ones.

Current Rig
ModelerFractal Axe-Fx III Turbo
ControllerFractal FC-12
MonitoringIn-Ear Monitors (IEM)
ContextWeekly Worship / Live
StyleZero Stage Volume
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