by Terri
If you tuned
in this morning hoping to see Judy’s post, I’m sorry to say that she is under
the weather and I’ll be filling in. If you have a moment, send her some warm
wishes for a speedy recovery and keep her in your thoughts.
Picking up
where Kelly left off on Tuesday regarding “cabin fever” and the winter
doldrums, I have to say that in my neck of the woods, this is the time of year
to be outside and enjoying the weather because it will be hot all too soon and
that’s when WE get cabin fever! It’s
sunny and 75 right now . . . so what’s my problem?
The
start of a new year always makes me want to do something new, learn new things
and expand my vision a little bit. I
wasn’t sure what I was going to do to make that happen this year. Some years, I
tend to over-commit. Too many classes, too many projects, and nothing gets done
very well. After all of the holiday activity, I find myself with too much time
on my hands and tend to go overboard trying to fill the void.
So this year I
decided to strive for some simplicity. When I heard about a class where I
would just be using my 50mm lens for four weeks, that sounded just right. Simple enough, one lens, a few shots a
day for four weeks – I could do that. My 50 was a lens that I had loved in the
past but it had taken a back seat to other lenses recently and I was excited to
pull it out and fall in love with it again. And that is exactly what is
happening! That wonderful depth of field
you can get and the indoor shots you can take with natural light – well,
what’s not to love? The shot at the top
of this post was taken indoors with natural light with my 50mm lens. Because I could open up my aperture to f/1.4,
I could keep the focus on my subject, leaving everything else out of focus and
I could keep my ISO low and reduce noise.
Mmmm, yes, I think I’m in love with this lens once again! It's amazing how changing things up a little can be so freeing, so inspiring.
The class is
taught by Kim Manley Ort and she has many classes going on throughout the
year. You can read about them here: http://www.365daysofinspiration.com/blog/join-me-at-online-workshop-or-inperson-retreat/monthlong-online-workshops/.
But I think
anything that pulls you out of your comfort zone and makes you try something
new is a good thing. It can be using a long-neglected lens or focusing your
camera on something that you don’t usually shoot – landscapes, people, still
lifes. Decide on what new thing you want
to try and then go for it!
Does the
start of the new year make you want to branch out and learn something new? What new things are you beginning at the
start of 2014?
10 comments:
Hope you feel well soon, Judy. Terri, lovely shot and yes, that 50mm, I really have to push myself to get it off my camera. I felt that way from the moment I got it. This year it's Project Life for me. First time. I eat,sleep, and dream it. I just ordered envelopes that go in the binder and hold 8.5 by 11 sheets of paper, my letters! Whooo hoooo. Sitting by the mailbox. Well, not really, because it's raining. I think I ordered more cards too but let's not go there, haha. You've created a monster. In a good way. Happy Thursday, FOLers.
Yes, I'm loving my nifty fifty all over again too, and when I wrote about it on my blog I was amazed at how many people haven't used it in so long but were thinking of pulling it out again. It hasn't come off my camera yet, well maybe for the sunrise if I can get outta here, like now! (I'll be looking for some people today too, fingers crossed)
I have you wonderful girls at FOL to thank for my 50mm lens. Winning your giveaway (Adorama Gift Certificate) and purchasing this lens opened a whole new beautiful world for me! Again, many thanks!! I took Kim's course last year and discovered the magic of a 50mm lens. It stays on my camera the majority of the time. I just love the soft backgrounds I can now get! As far as starting something new, I haven't felt the need this year. Last year ending not so great and I'm still recovering! I did pull out an old Project Life album and have started adding pictures that I began taking after my 60th birthday. I try to take a picture each day of where I'm standing and of light. I'm only six months behind! I'm keeping it simple so maybe I can catch up! Thank you, Pam, for inspiring me to get these pictures in the album!
Get well soon Judy! Like Kim said, I love my nifty-fifty! I alternate between it and my 50mm compact macro the most. There's so much to love about the dreamy backgrounds that little lens can create! Staying inside as I wait out winter, I chase light around the house and have had the most fun putting tulips in front of windows when the light streams in. It's something I do in winter but I love it! Beautiful picture! So bright and lovely! And that light! (swoon!) (where's my camera!) I'm off to chase some light now!
Hope you get better soon Judy. This time of the year I find lack of motivation a real problem, the light is low and the instinct is to curl up....
Sending get well wishes and hugs, Judy! Well, anyone of the above comments could have been written by me. I am also in the 50mm class and that plus my new 50mm 1.4 have re-energized my winter photography. I still love my compact macro but sometimes that 2.5 just wasn't enough in low light. Yes, I also have the 50mm 1.8 but I really needed {wanted?} that 1.4 for low light. And the creamy backgrounds ... well, 'nuff said. And tulips in winter. Yup! They help me keep the winter blues away and like Linda, I chase the light around my home and back porch. Magic happens when you put a tulip in the light of a window. So after all that rambling, I'll go my way but not without thanking Terri for pinch hitting for Judy today! {And I love your mug and muffin!}
Photo skills are on my list, but I'm working on a writing project that's taking most of my energy. It was my goal for last year and I'm delighted to be able to do it. I did sign up for a card class in two weeks and that's my first new project of the year. '
Big healing hugs, Judy. And yes, I too am loving this 50mm class. I don't know why it fell to the bottom of my bag when it does such a great job. I have used this lens almost exclusively this entire month...but I gotta admit I do miss my zoom lens.
My goodness, photo skills are definitely my "something new" this year! Terri, your photography is exquisite and I hope to be able capture simplicity through the lens the way you do! Great post, and as always, great photos! Get well soon Judy…. looking forward to your next post :)
Gorgeous photo…as always! I would LOVE to be taking a 50mm class, especially with you sweet friend, there's just one thing I seem to be needing…that lens! It's on my wish list, but for now I'll just keep shooting those close-ups with my 100mm macro. xo's!
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