I Heart My 50mm
I’m in love with my 50mm. In LOVE, I say. The hubs got it for me as a gift for Christmas(?) … my birthday(?) … and I became extremely frustrated with it. My DAd told me that it should be the easiest lens to use because what you see through the lens is what you see with your naked eye. Whatever, DAd. But then in July, something fantastic happened: I figured it out. I was used to stepping into my subject with my kit lens but with the 50mm I had to step away from my subject. Seems elementary but then again, I tend to be elementary.
So after taking something like 287 pictures of my dogs, IT happened. I had a GREAT photo of Chase. Little did I know that I had changed the white balance (it happens to the best of us) so when I uploaded the photos (all 287 of them), I saw that Chase’s black fur was blue on the screen. D-oh! There went my great photo. After I whined and got mad at myself about the W/B, I became an adult again and decided to make it black & white. And now it’s perfect.
(I know that I posted this same picture on Monday – get over it. I love this picture of my Sugar Bear.)
Not to be phased, I changed the W/B and went back out and shot 142 pictures of Chevy in about 12 minutes. And I was able to get a good shot of her. The only thing that bugs me is that dog #2 is in the same position as dog #1. It’s like I just switched their heads. But I didn’t. Promise. Cross my fingers hope to die.
So the experimenting began. The next day at work I took a walk during my lunch down to Waterfront Park. The black eyed susans were out in full force so I proceeded to take 79 pictures of the yellow boogers. And then another 359 of other things I thought would be “cool shots” while I walked through the Belvedere and back down Main Street to the office. None of them looked decent on my 2×2 LCD screen. I was bummed.
I did end up uploading the pictures but I was still bummed. None of the “cool shots” were cool. They were bland and uninspiring. But low and behold, there were 2 shots – 2 out of 1,867 – that had potential. So I cropped, I saturated, I contrasted, I burned… and 2 of my favorite photographs [to date] were born.
Don’t you just want to pluck that black eyed susan? It’s begging to be housed in a vase. But then it would miss all of its friends. And then it would sad. We don’t like sad susans.
I would like to point out that these photos are the first ones that my DAd looked at did not tell me what I did wrong. Let me rephrase: he did not tell what I should have done. Instead, I got this (verbatim): I think you are becoming aware of your camera’s potential. Keep experimenting. Whoa! Did you hear that?! It was almost like a compliment! Hey, I’ll take what I can get.
I now use the 50mm for everything. I used it for my D&D shots. I used it for my backyard shots. I used it to stick in Mel’s mug. I experiment with it constantly. With the f/1.8, I’m able to take pictures in lighting conditions that are usually too dark for my kit lens. I’m in love with the 50mm. In LOVE. And if you have a DSLR, I recommend you hop on over to the store and check it out – the lens itself is rather inexpensive (the f/1.8 as the f/1.4 is pricier) and man does it do some cool stuff. And [bless your heart] if you’re anything like me, just remember to step away from the subject.
Thanks to WordPress for a spot on the home page! Completely unexpected but very cool!
The 50mm is the best lens you can get in terms of value for money, and if you have a developed eye for quality photography you will find that the quality of the picures coming out of a 50mm lens cannot be matched without spending a small fortune.
I see in Flickr that you use a Canon Rebel. I use Nikon equipment (well, in the last couple of years I am using my mobile phone to tell you the truth) and have a similar lens: mine is a 50mm f/1.4 but a f/1.8, although slower, would probably be sharper. The absence of distortion and colour fringing make of this a fantastic lens that can be used to produce the best results in (on APS-C sized sensors, such as yours and mine) portraits and more.
Regarding your WB problem, try using RAW format to shoot your pictures. You will get better results if you pre-process your files before turning them into jpg. Well done overall, your pictures are great indeed. Carry on and press hard with your 50mm, you won’t regret it.
I’m in love with my Canon 50mm f/1.4, too! It’s a great portrait and pretty much everyday lens!! There’s so much you can do with dofs with this lens. Have fun with it!!
Hi Brooke…enjoyed your blog…I use a Canon D5 and a Rebel…keep your love of photography going…it will help you get through many difficult times.
What kind of dog is it? Very beautifull
Chase (dog #1) is a border collie/blue heeler mix. She’s a medium size dog with a big brain. Chevy (dog #2) is a Heinz 57 – we’re really not sure of her mix as she’s a rescue. I am sure she’s deaf as a doornail though. She’s the BDD – Big Deaf Dog.
Love those photos of the black-eyed susans and your dog photos too. I’d say they look pretty professional. Me, I like the quick shots and our much used FinePix camera.
beautiful collection
I love my 50mm too. and blackeyed Susans. in fact…(runs outside)
I think I’m falling in love with your dogs, they’re so cute ^^, And your pictures is just gorgeous! ;D
I posted a picture of my roomie Archie the cat this morning just because I mentioned him a couple of times. Part of the reason I was so inspired by your pictures of your dogs is that Archie aka Bee Dub (short for black and white) always looked like a good subject to me for photos… as of course flowers which is what originally caught my eye on your site – post some more! Oh – and if and when you see the not so hot picture of Arch you will know why I need to get my camera back out – that was from my phone *sigh*
Shutterboo – We need more! More pictures pleeeeeeez!