sharleenstuartShare Six: June 2017: Dream/Dreamy
Posted on June 6, 2017
The topic dream or dreamy was chosen by Claire of Wilhelmina Photography. I was pretty stumped with what I was going to do. This is what I love about this group – it continually taking me out of my comfort zone.
We have major renovations going on in our home. Items in the house seem to move from room to room. One of the items that moved out of our closet and into my office was a filing cabinet. Inside the filing cabinet was was all sorts of interesting things, including a book that I had once written poetry in. So I am going to get a little vulnerable here.
It was the typical teenage angst of life. Young, not quite an adult, but knowing that there is a world out there to conquer. There are dreams that need to be fulfilled.
I hung out with a group of friends who came from all walks of life. We were idealistic. We would laugh together, dream together and then the unthinkable happened. One of us died. How do you handle your emotions. How do you express what you are feeling. Part of it for me was to write the words I was feeling. He was a very close friend, who had come from a troubled background, who seemed to be getting his life on track when he was sadly killed in a car accident. He was just 24 years old. I believe this was my way of processing his death. Where I could I have tried to tie poems to my dreamy images.
There were so many dreams that we all had as teenagers and young adults. Like any young idealistic person, some of our dreams were realistic and others just a little unrealistic. Loosing this young man that we all loved was a real wake up call that you are never too young to die. Even today as I think back and as I re-read the letters he had sent to me and remember the friendship that we had, I see his beautiful smiling face and know just how much of an impression he made on me, on all of us. It was a big hole of disbelief when he was taken from us.
He has been gone from our lives for over 30 years, but his memory lingers on. It is a good reminder to love wherever you can, to take what life offers you and to look for the best in all circumstances. Hug your family and friends. Tomorrow is not promised. Today is all you have.
I saw a man
He stood at the shore.
The waves lapped
over his feet.
And in his mind
I saw trouble and doubt.
He was alone
to think it out.
Could he try
to find out why
something went wrong.
Why life was so troubling
and seemed to face him everyday.
Then his mind went blank
a wall of darkness
closed it off.
When I looked again
that man had walked away.
He was someone
close to us.
A man who used to love so much.
He received so little
yet gave a lot
He was someone we all loved.
His life was filled with emptiness,
yet he face up to it expectantly.
He conquered all that that he needed to
and pushed past the misery.
He had a family he never knew
He had friends He could turn to
Yet he stood strong
and faced life alone
until that final blow
took him away from us.
It’s lonely on the outside
where there’s nothing much to share
It’s lonely on the outside
when there is never people there
but
turn around and look inside
and see if it’s all there
the love, the hate, the bitterness
the thoughts that say you should care,
find out if your loneliness
is ever present there.
Understand it takes two
to bring about a unity of souls.
A piercing cry ripped through the sky
I looked overhead
to see a gull in full flight
his body arched
his head thrown back
his tail upright
as he flew by
the he turned and flew by again
as if to say
“goodbye”
I looked
into a crystal clear pool of water
and saw myself
reflected.
But unlike myself
this reflection showed fear,
across the forehead
a crease.
Why?
The mouth pulled taut
full of doubt
a questioning look reflected.
I dropped a pebble into the water
hoping the reflection would disappear
yet when it re-appeared
the look
was still there.
When I looked upwards
I realized
the sun was shining in my eyes.
Once in the life of yesterday
I saw it from afar.
It was a bright illuminating
entrancing little star.
Pierced by the encounterance
I moved into the light,
And there below this awesome sight
I stood abound in love.
Poet I am really not, but I grew up with the great artists like Leonard Cohen and Joan Baez, story tellers of excellence. All I wanted to do was write stories and write poems. I wanted to be the next aspiring artist.
Writing this blog tonight Leonard Cohen is playing in the background. He still takes me to those deep dark places where you can slip into your mind and find the memories in there in the form of dreams. As I reflect on the past, the late teenage years and the early twenties were some of my greatest moments, and deepest lows.
When I think about that beautiful life that was taken away from us and the loss we all felt, I am reminded that I still have a life to live. No matter what age you are remember that tomorrow is not promised. If you are thinking of doing something, don’t put it off, do it as soon as you are able. Always remember to hug your loved ones tight and to tell them you love them.
In my dreams I see the face of Todd, and I hear his laughter and his jokes. I also see the sadness and the sorrow. I wish I had another chance to remind him that he is what made his life. He was what made us love him. His lot in life was not the best but he took what he was given and he faced up to that daily walk.
I will leave you with one of his poems that he sent to me just before he died.
Kindred Spirits meet unsought – by an
alchemy of thought. Towards each
other they are led – guided by the
unseen thread of accident or passing
chance – caught in a web of
circumstance.
Kindred Spirits, souls in tune – come
together late or soon – like notes that
harmonize when played – thus
affinities are made – and lifelong
friendships come about. Time alone
can work it out. Two in tune in time will
meet – and life at last will be complete.
~Todd Michael Vermeulen
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle. Please take time to visit our my friend Aubrey of Applewood Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Dream/Dreamy throughout the month of June. A new theme will come out on July 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix_dream or #sharesix_dreamy.
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We look forward to seeing your images on the theme Dream/Dreamy
Tell me a Story: May 2017
Posted on May 31, 2017
For this month, I am going to share a visit I made recently. I did a similar visit 2 years ago with friends and I have always wanted to go back, but it is a drive to an area I do not know well and it is at least an hour south from where I live. However, I decided to do my homework, plan my trip and execute it on Friday. Camera was packed up and off I headed south to visit these tiny tiny little birds who live in the ground.
Burrowing Owls are typically found in areas with low vegetation and dry weather. These owls are no bigger than a ruler and have to be the cutest little critters I have seen. They burrow holes in the ground to make their home and can be seen during the course of the day. I probably got there at about 10:30 AM and started the process of walking to the various holes that were cordoned off. Burrowing Owls are a protected species in Florida and you will be fined if you encroach into the cordoned off area.
So here are some of the photo’s that I took on this particular day.
My first stop was at the lower level of the park, where this little one was out of the hole and watching me closely.
Since there was not too much activity, I walked to a few more holes, before heading back to the entrance to go up the hill. I spotted this little one hanging out in the shade of a fire hydrant. It’s eye’s got quite big as I approached.
The day was hot and I envied the shade this little owl had found.
To give you an idea of how small they are, this little one is standing by a standard size fire hydrant.
I got up to move and I spooked it, so it ran around to the other side of the fire hydrant and watched me around it.
I headed up to a new hole, where I found 2 owls. Slowly they started popping out until 6 were out of the holes.
These owls are so tiny. This was the spike of a wooden pillar used to cordon off the area so that we did not get right up to the owls nest.
Interesting fact is that when the owl feels that it’s nest is threatened they will typically lie over the nest with it’s wings spread out. The wings were not spread out here, nor was it over a nest.
This little one popped out of it’s hole and proceeded to stretch it’s wings.
I just love this beautiful face and its big eyes, along with it’s very cute eyebrows.
A little gross, but it appears that this owl was regurgitating it’s unwanted food.
They owls did not seem to be intimidated by me and carried on as usual unless I moved.
What a cute little body these Burrowing Owls have.
Clearly this one was either shy or decided that looking at the camera was not what it wanted to do.
But then I shifted on the grass and it’s head popped up.
I love the close ups of their beautiful features.
I did a quick stop back to the original one to see if it was still on it’s perch and it was.
At another hole I spotted this little one who was cleaning house. I watched it for a while scooping sand out of the entrance.
While I was watching, these two heads popped out to see what was going on.
Having seen all the owls I thought I could see at the park, I headed out to a second park, where I found this little one sitting at the entrance of it’s hole. It’s head was a constant motion of looking to the left, right, above it and at what I was doing.
They are so small that I am sure that they are prey for any larger birds.
I had a great trip – it was worth the drive, and on my way home, I stopped at the South African shop and bought a few home goodies to munch on. Overall it was a good day.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a Story. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Emily Kohl Photography and see what she have for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
30 Minutes in the Life: May 2017
Posted on May 29, 2017
So you may or may not know that I flooded our house by accident the other day and the results were not pretty. Suffice to say we are in the midst of a construction zone and I am over it. Everywhere, there is dust. All the furniture is gathered in one room or in passageways. Right now tiling is going on in the living room and I am finally getting some sense of order upstairs. Yeah, the water flowed from upstairs, down the staircase and through the flooring, coming out of every outlet like a water fall.
So my 30 minutes has been a challenge. I went out today and found a few but I decided to add in a few from the other day as well.
I love dragonfly. The are one of the most unique insects I have watched. In the cycle of life, dragonfly eat other flying insects such as mosquito’s, midges, and pretty much anything smaller than themselves. They will also eat butterfly, moth and smaller dragonfly. The birds eat the dragonfly. It is one big food chain in our eco-system.
Dragonfly, for me, are uniquely made with all sorts of connecting parts, along with their bulging eyes. So below are some of the dragonfly I have come across today, and on a few other occasions.
Four-spotted Pennant
Eastern Amberwing
Great Blue Skimmer
Blue Dasher
Halloween Pennant
Blue Dasher Dragonfly
Four Spotted Pennant
Blue Dasher
Blue Dasher Dragonfly
Great Blue Skimmer
Ornate Pennant
Scarlet Skimmer
Four Spotted Pennant
Halloween Pennant
And thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 Minutes in Life. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my friend and fellow blogger Julia Forsman of a Rock and a Soft Place Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Viewbug and Google+
Artists Inspired: May 2017: Purple
Posted on May 14, 2017
Purple is an interesting color and not one that I wear terribly often. When I think of purple I think of the Messiah, I think of kings and queens, I think of the opulent robes and wealth, grandeur and wisdom.
My father grew many orchids and he had some beautiful ranges of the color purple. Me on the other hand, do not seem to have inherited his green thumb, or perhaps it is the lack of time to and space to attend to them like he has done.
Since both those options were out to shoot, I thought I would look for purple in my walk about. Nature itself, has many different purple flowers so I discovered. So walk with me as I endeavor to capture the purple delights of nature.
The first 5 images were taken at the zoo while walking through the butterfly garden.
I then headed over to Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum and decided to shoot what purple I could find there.
The next flowers are commonly found in the wetlands, and I managed to capture them on one of my recent walks.
Bird wise in my area there are a few. Ironically the first bird is called a Little Green Heron, but I am still trying to find the green on him.
The Purple Gallinule is another bird that has purple coloring in it. This particular birt is interesting to watch as it likes to eat the Alligator Flag flowers. You will find them doing a balancing act on the very end of the stems to try and reach the flowers.
Last but not least I found this little cutie in her purple pants walking through the zoo. I just had to get this shot.
Just a reminder that this is a circle blog and I would encourage you to click to continue on reading what they other photographers in this group have for you. Please stop by my friend and fellow photographer Sarah Skaggs Mason page and read her blog. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug
The Artists Inspired Blog Circle is made up of an exceptionally talented group of photographers from all walks of life, from all over the world. They are wives, mothers, friends, daughters and visual storytellers who draw from their own experiences to create art that is inspiring, unique, beautiful and thought-provoking.
Share Six: May 2017: Street Photography
Posted on May 6, 2017
I got the opportunity to choose the theme for Share Six this month and I went for Street Photography.
“Why Street Photography? For me it takes me out of my comfort zone. I am happy shooting nature, and sunsets and beaches. Now I will confess, I do find that I am more comfortable doing street photography when I am on vacation rather than when I am at home. I like to meander and to keep looking around me until something catches my attention. Street Photography is me having the courage to go into a busy area urban or otherwise and shoot what I see in front of me. The image may or may not have people in it. It can be reflections, it can be graffiti, it can be shapes, or it may be people. You could take it looking straight on, or looking up, or looking down. You can frame it through doorways, or arches, or trees. There are so many different aspects to Street Photography.”
When I get out on the street with the intention of shooting images of people I take my long lens, and try to do this as inconspicuously as possible and from a distance. When I am shooting scenery, I will carry a variety of lens, normally my wide angle for buildings, my 70-300mm for distance, and a couple of lensbaby optics.
I will confess, I have yet to walk up to someone and ask them if I can photograph them. That takes me way out of my comfort zone completely. Who knows maybe one day I will get the courage. Mmm 100 faces sounds like an interesting project to consider.
What I have found though, is that when I am shooting street, that my immediate editing reaction is to go black and white.
I thought I would share various images I have taken, some on trips away and some locally. Since I only see my brother when he is in USA, we tend to travel to wherever he is in conference and then stay a few days post conference. It is always a city and that feeds my desire to head out and explore. While he is in conference, we are sight seeing, then when he is done we spend a few days traveling the area. Locally the images I have shared are for a Street group that I joined earlier this year.
Denver, Colorado and it was snowing. For a South Florida girl – it was more than pretty cold. I was freezing. My hands were shaking and the view was gray and bleak, but I loved this street scene. This was taken with my Canon Rebel 3, with the EF-S 18-55mm lens.
Boulder, Colorado. Same trip as the previous image but we had stopped off in Boulder to have lunch and do a bit of sight seeing . These guys grabbed my attention pretty quickly and I knew I had to get a photo of them. This image was taken with my Cannon Rebel T3i and the EF-S18-55mm lens.
Off to Vegas and I think I took a multitude of images. Vegas is busy and you can end up behind the camera most of the time. I am still editing from 3 years ago. What I found with this image is that night time shooting is hard. I was not crazy about the color version, but when I converted it to black and white, I loved it. This image was taken with my Canon Rebel T3i and the EF-S 18-55mm lens.
Seattle and boy did we walk that city. Just for the record, I love Seattle and there is so much to do. If you want to see more street images check out my blogs on Seattle. This particular image was taken at night time. Let’s be honest it was a disaster. We were sitting at a traffic light when I noticed these statues at the bus station. Of course, I am in manual and I am trying to adjust my settings for a night shot. Suffice to say the car is moving when I am shooting the image. Again the color was not great but when I converted it to black and white I fell in love. The image was taken with my Canon 6D and the EF 28-135mm lens (bought specifically for the trip and the lens I used the majority of the time we were in Seattle).
Taken downtown West Palm Beach, part of the Street 52 group topic for the week was to follow someone and take a photography. Ok, I can do that. I had a meeting just along the road, so I had parked my car and walked down this road to my meeting. I loved the angle of the trees which formed an arch of sorts. From there I was going to take a bit of time to meander down the side streets to see what I can find. I happened to double back down this road as this lady was walking ahead of me. This image is taken with my Canon 6D and EF 28-135mm lens.
Another shot for the Street 52 group. This time it was to go out and capture the image of someone who caught your attention. This particular morning I had gone down to the beach to capture the sunrise. Walking back to my car, this man slowly walked towards the bench with this huge dog. It was really the dog that caught my attention, but as the man sat down, he almost immediately went into this sleeping pose. I quickly snapped off a couple of images before getting into my car. This image is taken with Canon 6D and the EF 70-300mm lens.
These are my six images. Indulge my while I share one more (although I could happily have gone on sharing street images). This was the day that I tried to look inconspicuous when taking my photograph, and as I did this he looked up at me. Ugh but he was great and told me to take another one. You will have those days when you get caught. Smile!! If the opportunity comes about take time to learn a little bit about your subject.
Peace Out – I really enjoyed my short chat with this very interesting guy. This image was taken with the Canon Rebel T3i and the EF-S 55-250mm lens.
If you do not shoot street, then I would encourage you to pick up your camera, head into the city and have a fun day looking like a tourist. I love it. There is so much going on and it is fun to be part of the vibe of the streets and capture what catches your attention. Go out, have fun!!
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle. Please take time to visit our guest blogger for this month, Katherine of Cobert Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Street Photography throughout the month of April. A new theme will come out on June 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix_streetphotography
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We look forward to seeing your images on the theme street photography
Tell me a Story: April 2017
Posted on April 30, 2017
I had to prepare a blog on the topic black and so I decided to head on out to the Palm Beach Zoo to shoot images of the monkeys. All I can say is that the monkeys were not that co-operative. The big guy hardly moved and the others sat huddled at the top of their cage and ignored me. However, I got to walk around the zoo and experience what they had to offer. Perhaps the highlight was the mating dance of the Flamingo and the stunning display by the gorgeous peacock.
This monkey did not want his photo taken. Each time I picked up my camera it would turn it’s head away. This was the only photo I got with it looking directly at me.
Pelican – say what – exercise time – I’m not so sure about that!!!
Pelican – okay okay – I will stretch the wings back…
Pelican – and stretch the legs out… and then I am done for the day.
Koala Bear – I am just done for the day.
I guess it’s grooming time.
Kangaroo – I think I will just hang out by the pool and catch some sun.
Tortoise – it’s time for a snack
Blue Winged Teal Duck is going to snooze.
Unknown Bird
Peacock – yes I know you love my feathers but just wait and see what I can do with them ….
Peacock – all fanned out – close up the colors are spectacular
An amazing sight to witness – this peacock paraded for the camera.
Black Crowned Night Heron – just hanging out.
Flamingo – this was an interesting sight to see. The mating dance of the Flamingo. It looked like the were doing the tango.
Flamingo – they danced around each other.
Flamingo – flapping their wings
Flamingo – it was so interesting to watch.
Parrot – I love parrot’s they are always so vibrant.
Parrot – and I loved that this guy stopped to look at me long enough for me to get and image of him
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a Story. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Melinda of Orange Moon Photography / Fargo Photographer and see what he have for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
30 Minutes in the Life: April 2017
Posted on April 24, 2017
As I mentioned in my last blog, I recently flooded the house. The horror of the water quickly turned to Adrenalin as I threw towels all over the floor to try and dry up the inch deep water that was now going down the stairway. Wet towels are not fun to pick up and having picked up at least 30 and the moving furniture downstairs etc, my back has been achy. So off to the chiropractor I went. Aside from him doing his work, he wants me to walk 30 minutes a day. I can see that I am going to be opening up the treadmill again.
Friday after my visit I tried to weigh up where I would go and do my 30 minute walk. I thought of doing some street photography but that did not work out for me. So I headed back towards the wetlands. However, I have been there so often that I did not want to go there. I decided to go to the Everglades park and re-new my pass. While I was there I took a 30 minute walk along the board walk. The trees are all tall around the boardwalk, which makes it kind of dark. It was kind of lonely as very few people walk there. Everything is overgrown, and there is little critter life. However, it always surprises me what I can find in there. So join me as I walk along the boardwalk at Loxahatchee National Park.
And thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 Minutes in Life. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my friend and fellow blogger Julia Forsman / A Rock and a Soft Place Photography and see what she has for you this month. I love seeing beautiful photo’s of Switzerland. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
30 Minutes changed their name to Journey to an Artist. If you want to know more about Journey to an Artist head over to their Facebook page, or to the blog page. There is new and exciting happenings going on with the group Journey to an Artist that you are sure to want to check it out.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Viewbug and Google+
Artists Inspired: April 2017: Black
Posted on April 14, 2017
Artists Inspired theme color for this month is Black. Black should not be hard for me, I love black, it is my favorite color. 80% of my closet is black. So why did I struggle this month.
First off, the day I was going to go and shoot my “black” theme, became Black Friday for me. I flooded the double story house by accident. Suffice to say there was a whole lot of water and it was not black. Richards mood was not black either.
Then I headed off to the zoo to see if I could photograph the black monkeys. Okay so I go to do that but truthfully that monkey was so bored that all it did was hang on a branch, and not move. Once it looked at me and as I lifted the camera, it turned away. Reminded me of Ms Moonshine at home. Each time I pick up the camera she will look away.
I was getting pretty desperate and actually took some images of Ms Moonshine simply because she is an all black cat. I had one last Friday to do this, so after a doctors visit, and then breakfast with my son, I did a de-tour to Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum for a short walk. I am not optimistic enough to think I am going to be able to walk right around the gardens, but I manage 1/3 rd of the way before I turn around and go back. So today images come from my walk through the gardens. Come walk with me.
~ Black ~
of the very darkest color owing to the absence of or complete absorption of light; the opposite of white.
Just a reminder that this is a circle blog and I would encourage you to click to continue on reading what they other photographers in this group have for you. Please stop by my friend and fellow photographer Ellie Meachem of Live Life Inspired Photography’s page and read her blog. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug
The Artists Inspired Blog Circle is made up of an exceptionally talented group of photographers from all walks of life, from all over the world. They are wives, mothers, friends, daughters and visual storytellers who draw from their own experiences to create art that is inspiring, unique, beautiful and thought-provoking.
Share Six: April 2017: Connection
Posted on April 6, 2017
Connection is the theme for the month of April and I looked up the definition of connection. Here it is:
~ Connection ~
a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.
I recently 5 days at a conference in Columbus. Georgia. On the first night we were treated to an evening performance by an orchestra and 200 person choir. The music was amazing and the choir stunning. The way they all blended was so special. What struck me with this was how the musicians connected with their instruments, how their music connected with the choir and how both connected with the audience. Their music was captivating and the soloist was just incredible. The evening truly was a treat.
.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle. Please take time to visit my friend Tori of Roots and Twigs Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Connection throughout the month of April. A new theme will come out on May 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix_connection.
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We look forward to seeing your images on the theme connection
Tell me a Story: March 2017
Posted on March 31, 2017
This month I am going to do something slightly different. As some of you know I am totally into the Lensbaby products and have really enjoyed playing with them. In November 2015 a fellow photographer was selling her Lensbaby Composer Pro with the Sweet 35 optic. I had been watching her posts and loving what she was getting with this sweet lens. So when she said she was selling it, I jumped at the offer. I loved the effects of the Sweet 35.
Sweet 35 Optic
I loved the effect of the soft focus, but this has taken a while for me to get used to, I felt like it was a little too soft.
The Soft Focus Optic
Then the Twist came out. I could not afford the fixed Twist lens so I opted to purchase the twist optic. It still gives a great effect. What the twist does is twist the background of your image keeping the focal point in focus. I have the composer pro so that means that my focal point can shift from the center. In this case it shifted to the side. I found that it did not do a great twist in my office so I took them outside to get the full effect.
The Twist Optic
I saw that a friend was selling her Composer Pro with a Sweet 50 optic and I decided to get that for Amy for Christmas. After playing with the optic for a while, I was tempted to keep the sweet 50 but what did I give up. Ugh!!. Since I do not have it here I could not take a photo of the lilies.
Then I really liked the effects of the double glass so I went searching for the optic and managed to find it on EBay. Well that came with another Composer Lens. So I figured, well you could not have too many housing units and for the price I was getting the optic I wanted. So that was a new addition to my Lensbaby family.
The Double Glass
Usable with the Double Glass optic is the macro lens +4 and +10
The Double Glass optic with the Macro +4 lens
The Double Glass and Macro +10 lens
For the sake of this blog and meeting my deadline, I was okay with these macro’s but I do need more practice. This was the first time I have ever used them.
The most recent additions came about because I had spotted some work done with a pinhole zone plate and began the search for this optic. Ironically, after scouring through EBay, I found some refurished optics on Lensbaby itself, for a minimal price. They had 3 different optics – the Pinhole Zoneplate, the Plastic, and the Single Glass optic, so I got them all.
The Pinhole Zoneplate Optic
The Plastic Optic
The Single Glass Optic
I do not have the Sweet 50 (although I loved using the one I gave to Amy). I do not have the Edge 50 or 80. One of the edges is on my bucket list when funds free up. I have had a lot of fun trying out the new lens this past week to give you some idea of the effects you can get with the Lensbaby Composer or Composer Pro and the various optics and macro lens.
If you are thinking about one, know that they are fun, but remember that it takes practice. They are manual lens and that means you may not get it right more times than you do. But when you get it right you will love it. I would encourage anyone who is thinking about these lens to take the plunge – they are a lot of fun.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a Story. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my fellow blogger LUPJi Photography | North Virginia Event Photographer and see what he have for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
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