"Reprieve"
It was already a BAD morning by 7:30am. At 10:30am when I left for work, I knew there was no hope left for a decent day. I couldn't find my P&S before I left, so I grabbed my DSLR "as-is", which had the 50mm fixed lens (manual focus) and thought, "great - what the heck can I take with this in my workday??".
I pass this scene on my way to work every day. I drove past it as usual, then realized I had some extra time before I had to be in the office. I put the car in reverse, put on my hazards, and got out with the camera. What a joy it was to be outside, taking photos, challenging myself to use a lens I did not choose, using Manual settings to get the image I wanted! I forgot about every single thing that happened that morning and the dread I had for the rest of my day.
My goal for this shot was to capture the stillness of the ice hanging from the branch while showing the flow of the water around it. I could talk forever about how much better I could have done however all that matters is that I remembered the joy of taking pictures "just because".
I got to work with 30 seconds to spare, even after squeezing in a quick stop at McDonald's for a Caramel Mocha Latte. The day went to hell from there, yet I kept looking at my bag and seeing the red "Pentax" strap peeking out. Even though I stayed until 9m, missed seeing my daughter for the day, still feel sick, and have a puking husband to take care of -- going through these photos is like taking a happy pill today.
Thank you, PAD!
I pass this scene on my way to work every day. I drove past it as usual, then realized I had some extra time before I had to be in the office. I put the car in reverse, put on my hazards, and got out with the camera. What a joy it was to be outside, taking photos, challenging myself to use a lens I did not choose, using Manual settings to get the image I wanted! I forgot about every single thing that happened that morning and the dread I had for the rest of my day.
My goal for this shot was to capture the stillness of the ice hanging from the branch while showing the flow of the water around it. I could talk forever about how much better I could have done however all that matters is that I remembered the joy of taking pictures "just because".
I got to work with 30 seconds to spare, even after squeezing in a quick stop at McDonald's for a Caramel Mocha Latte. The day went to hell from there, yet I kept looking at my bag and seeing the red "Pentax" strap peeking out. Even though I stayed until 9m, missed seeing my daughter for the day, still feel sick, and have a puking husband to take care of -- going through these photos is like taking a happy pill today.
Thank you, PAD!
You used a MANUAL PRIME lens? What were you thinking? And manual settings on top of that?
ReplyDelete(I sure wish Blogger didn't strip out the EXIF data :( )
What I liked best about this post though was where you said:
"My goal for this shot was to capture the stillness of the ice hanging from the branch while showing the flow of the water around it. I could talk forever about how much better I could have done however all that matters is that I remembered the joy of taking pictures "just because"."
For me, that's my greatest impetus in photography (and it's also probably why most of my photos suck but oh well...).
What an awesome story, Lori! I've totally had similar moments - photography saving me from my mind and my emotions - so I know how powerful this is.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the fixed lens - I have actually been thinking about different goals I want to set for PAD, and had the idea that each month would have a theme. By default, January is going to be 'what I can do with my P&S,' but then I was thinking of using my 50mm fixed lens for one month, just to learn it and see what I could do with it - like you said, for the challenge.
Aside from the great story, I love the image!
EXIF: 1/20sec at f/22, ISO 400
ReplyDeleteWhy does my EXIF say 8mm focal length? I can never keep that straight.
I remember when I realized this 50mm lens worked with my DSLR. It was a lens from an old K1000. I complained that it was all manual and was frustrated it would not zoom. Paul encouraged me to use it, so I did - and realized I love the lens. I do not use it often enough, but recently used it to take the first three photos in this album, which is why is was on the camera:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=269183&id=553476682&l=bc5e96d495
Your camera inserts 8mm into the focal length field for the EXIF data probably because it’s programmed to make a guess when it has no data provided to it from the lens. So-called digital lenses (and many auto focus lenses) have an actual CPU (computer) in them that provides various information to the camera. Your manual prime 50mm lens probably has no CPU in it so you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.
ReplyDeleteYou may have also noticed that you cannot change your aperture when you use that lens and for the same reason. There’s no way for the camera to communicate to the lens. If you look at the aperture field in the EXIF data you’ll probably see that it’s not accurate. Here again, your camera has probably made a guess.
I have a reflex lens that has a fixed aperture (since it’s not really a lens and is a mirror instead (hence the “reflex”)) and no CPU on board whatsoever. I don’t bother looking at EXIF data from shots I take with it (unless I’m just bored and looking for something to do).
Thank you, Paul - that all made sense, except the bit about the aperture. I was in Manual and was making deliberate changes to aperture the whole time. I think I read somewhere on Pentax Forums that others were pleased by the ability to control aperture with this lens. It rings a bell, anyway.
ReplyDelete