Destination Unknown

20 years ago, I started a second career as a motorcycle journalist, and I’ve been lucky enough to see many of the beautiful places in the world and publishing stories and photos of my adventures. I’ve started documenting my bicycle adventures in a similar fashion, and will be sharing those stories here. Please join me.

“The idea is to die young as late as possible

Ashley Montagu

The Latest Stuff…


  • Ten Tips: Motorcycle Travel Photos, originally uploaded by john m flores.Via Flickr:I gave a presentation last summer at RoadRUNNER’s annual Touring Weekend – Ten Tips for Awesome Motorcycle Travel Photos. The presentation was very well received – the very next day people were out riding and applying some of the tips I had given! That…


  • The RAW Deal, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:I wanted to see how much image quality I am losing when shooting JPGs with the Pentax K-01. On the left, the RAW DNG. On the right, the JPG.


  • Pentax K-01 @ ISO12800, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:With actors celebrating a successful opening night. romancetheplay.webs.com/ For those keeping score at home, this is with the Pentax DA21mm F3.2 Limited, in awful bar lighting. JPG. Imported into LR3 and sent right back out. I think I may have set the tone curve…


  • It’s in the Bag: Pentax K-01 + DA*16-50 F2.8 + Metz 58 AF-1, originally uploaded by john m flores. So can the K-01 as outfitted in the picture above work at an indoor event? In a word, no. Not without some struggle. Some things that I noticed: – the AF assist light of the Metz…


  • Daniel Sanabria, Marine Veteran, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr: Part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. Still from a video interview with Daniel, shot with the Panasonic GH2 mated to the Pentax DA*16-50 F2.8. Minimal grading in Final Cut Pro X. ISO640, F3.2 or thereabouts, 1/50FPS, 1080P24. Lighting was via…


  • Daniel Sanabria, Marine Veteran, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr: Part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. Still from a video interview with Daniel, shot with the Panasonic GH2 mated to the Pentax DA*16-50 F2.8. Minimal grading in Final Cut Pro X. ISO640, F3.2 or thereabouts, 1/50FPS, 1080P24. Lighting was via…


  • It’s in the Bag: 2012/05/01, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:Shooting an interview for the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s History Project. My friend is bringing his Fuji X Pro1 for stills. I’m shooting video. Stuffed inside the LowePro Flipside 400… Panasonic GH2Pentax K-01 (backup cam and b-roll stills)Pentax DA*16-50mm F2.8 zoomPentax DA21mm F3.2…


  • Platinum Minds, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:These are just some of the students (“Scholars” as Platinum Minds like to call them ) that participate in the Platinum Minds program. You won’t meet a more articulate, motivated, civic-minded group of young men. Platinum Minds helps bright students from inner cities and other tough…


  • It’s in the Bag: 2012/04/30, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:Shooting another non-profit event tonight. Tight quarters during cocktail hour, so I’m bringing the slimmest bag I own – a LowePro Midtown 160. I’ve got a Stealth Reporter D400AW, but it’s much deeper, and I’d be spending much of the cocktail hour saying,…


  • Does size matter?, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:Olympus OM-D EM-5 with the Panasonic 25mm F1.4 vs. Pentax K-01 with the 21mm F3.2. The Olympus is sitting on a lens hood because the EVF extends from the back of the camera. As you can see, this actually makes the Olympus deeper than the…