Points Of View
This evening, I received a very exciting package. I realised a long time ago that in order to hone my skill as a photographer, I would have to shoot with something a little more sophisticated than a kit lens. I had heard great things about various lenses but the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II seemed to have an overwhemingly high number of rave reviews. It is also a lot smaller and lighter than my 18 - 55mm lens which should make lugging my camera around considerably easier.
What swayed me in the end, however, were the photographs on two of my favourite blogs - Still Plus Life and Currystrumpet. Vibrant colour, crisp detail and bokeh so glorious it elicits sighs of delight jump out at you from the screen. In the few minutes it takes you to read their posts, you are transported to far-flung places - so evocative are the images before you. As soon as I discovered their "secret", I knew that I simply had to have it!
/Image: Still Plus Life/
/Image: Currystrumpet/
Having said that, I am not naive enough to think that a new lens is all that I need to get dramatically improved results. I know that I still have a lot to learn and that constant practice is the only way to get better acquainted with my camera.
With the sun already beginning to set, I decided there was no time like the present and took a few quick shots with each lens to compare.
Canon EF-S 18 - 55mm f/3.5 - 5.6 lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens
Each photograph was taken on exactly the same settings, shot in manual and, of course, left unedited. I didn't need to get as close to my subject using the 50mm as I had with my old lens and this opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
In other photography news, part of my homework was posted on the Nicole's Classes blog on Friday. I feel incredibly flattered but disappointed that it was the only homework I was able to do on the course. I learned so much so quickly and I cannot wait to put it all into practice as I experiment with my new toy.
Thank you for a wonderful four weeks, Nicole!
Photography
Reader Comments (11)
Congratulations Chi on getting your lovely photograph and a mention on Nicole's blog.
As my hubby would say, Corr that's a lovely bokeh! Well done on you new found skills, I look forward to seeing your future photographs x
Thanks, honey! x
Haha! Bokeh rules OK!! :D
OOOOOH!!! Welcome to the club! So happy for you!
Be warned, you will love this lens to bits. The actual glass/lens part of my lens popped out of its plastic home on my first morning in Florence and I actually CRIED. (Small tears, granted, but they were in fact tears.) Thank goodness my hubby was able to put it back together or I don't know what I would have done.
Enjoy, enjoy your new toy!
"OOOOOH!!! Welcome to the club! So happy for you!"
Thanks, Deepa - and what a club it is! I'm in such esteemed company. :)
Hooray for techie husbands!!! They're certainly worth their weight in gold, aren't they?
I shall, I shall, I shall enjoy it - I can't quite believe that it's here and that it's all mine! :D x
Oh, Chi, congratulations! That photo is stunning - the composition, the backdrop, and the light all came together quite beautifully. Also, congratulations on your new lens purchase. Can't wait to see the magic you will create with it. Remind me: what camera do you have?
My husband gifted me the Panasonic Lumix 4/3 for Christmas and I grew frustrated with it, which saddens me. I know it takes practice and patience...Need to get back in the saddle. ;)
Thank you, T! :)
I have a Canon Rebel Xsi 450d.
We all have moments when we get frustrated as we try to get to grips with something new, especially when there are so many elements involved.
You've got the most important thing - a great eye for detail. Keep at it and pretty soon it will all fall into place! :D xoxo
Congratulations!! I have the same one (was a gift from J for Christmas) and it's literally one of my favorite things of all time. I brought it with me on vacation but found myself sticking to my 18-55mm to capture all the wide-angled goodness the views had to offer, but it's super useful regardless. Especially in my no-natural-light house, the fact that the lens opens up to 1.8 is a blessing. You're already fast friends with it, I can see from your snaps. Enjoy enjoy enjoy and welcome to the club! xoxo
Thanks, duckie! x
Considering the sun had slid halfway down the sky by the time I took my photos, I was pleasantly surprised to find my hedge bathed in such gorgeous light. I'm a very, very happy girl indeed. :D
Oh how lovely Chi, aren't we all camera geeks? If I thought the right equipment would make me as good a photographer as Lauren I'd be buying it all up..
I got the same Lumix 1.8 lens as Theresa and I love it so much. I never use my kit lens now. If I need to zoom i just take it on a higher resolution and crop it, works like a charm.
I really want a DSLR but have decided I'm not allowed one until my photos are good enough. Ugh it's such a long hard slog :(
So pleased your having so much fun with it already x
Glad you bought this lens. I have the same one and am rather happy. Of course, I would like the F1.4 next but it's much more expensive...
You're doing really well with all your photographs. Practice makes perfect, right? So they say. Hope you're well x
Finally, finally I get to see the results of the fun you've been having! Isn't that lens the best!? It changed everything for me and has for so many people! Your kind words are so sweet, but you girl? Your photos are stunning! What strides you're making! And how exciting for the mention on Nicole's blog! I've been thinking about taking that table top photography class...I'll have to go and check it out. Keep up the good work, girl! xoxoxo