Exploring Reno, NV, the “Biggest Little City in the World,” became a memorable experience during my week-long conference stay in July 2023. Although I refrained from taking photographs during my initial town exploration, the allure of downtown drew me back in the fall. This time, accompanied by a friend, we decided to spend the night in Reno before heading to Nevada’s Washoe Lake the following day for a wild horse photography adventure.
On that night, we ventured out for dinner by the Truckee River and spontaneously embarked on a photo walk, capturing whatever caught our eyes. The changing evening light transformed the city entirely after twilight, and what started as an agenda-free exploration, turned into a fascination with the abstract patterns formed by the neon lights adorning buildings and sculptures.
As someone who frequently explores the interplay of light in my blog, that night’s focus was unmistakably on the light itself—be it the warm hues of the evening, the mysterious twilight zone, the vibrant neon lights, or the charming essence of the “Biggest Little City in the World.”
I’ve compiled the photographs from that memorable night into a collection titled “A Night in Reno“.
The FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH
The featured photograph, repeated below for convenience (f/5.3, 1/125s, ISO 200 at 55 mm) was taken with my Nikon50 and it’s kit lens, a Nikon Z DX 16-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. The little camera is pretty decent, and the kit lens is adequate for most uses. Nonetheless, the size, weight and focal range of the lens make it very appealing for a casual stroll taking photos. The 8X10 test prints came out very nice and the images are large enough to print a 15X12″ at 300 DPI.
A word about GEAR OBSESSION
The allure of advanced equipment and cutting-edge technology can often overshadow the essence of photography as an art form. True mastery in this field lies not in the complexity of one’s gear but rather in the clarity of one’s vision and intent. A skilled photographer understands that the camera is merely a tool, and it is the creative mind behind the lens that brings life to a photograph. By prioritizing artistic vision and intent over the latest gadgets, photographers can tap into their unique perspectives and convey powerful narratives through their work.
I often hear people say that they would like to pursue photography but do not have money. And when I hear this, I often reply, start with your phone. If you are like me and do not have a fancy phone, a setup like the one I used for “A night in Reno”, a NikonZ50 with the kit lens, can be purchased by short of U$1,000. Probably much less if bought used. There are many options out there that are actually less expensive than an iPhone. Remember that it’s hard to purchase bad equipment these days, at least from Nikon, and the thousands of dollars that some cameras and lenses cost are way above what a photographer interested in photography as an art form will ever need.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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