Large aperature

Large aperature - This is something missing from most photography today. Unless you use film camera lenses on your DSLR, your lens doesn't let in that much light. Why does it matter? You can just increase the ISO after all, right? Because too much is in focus. The photo is too busy, because the main subject is no longer isolated when everything is sharp. I've seen people use software to create selective focus after the fact, but I'm sorry, it usually looks fake. Especially when they try to approximate a view camera effect. Very few people ever use lens tilt to create selective focus with a view camera - because they don't need to do so. It creates a gimmicky effect. Just like painting on black velvet.
If you use a point and shoot, you almost have no other option than having almost everything almost sharp - which often leaves nothing as a point of interest.
By large aperature, I mean at least f/2 with an APS sized sensor or larger. Forget the pixel count - it's usually the sensor size that matters the most. Even better, dust off your old Nikon F2As, Pentax K1000, Canon F1, Hasselblad, Rollei 2.8F, even your Speed Graphic, and remember what it's like. Burn through a roll of film.
This is not to mean I propose a revolt against digital. I'm going to shoot mostly digital. But I'm not satisfied completely until I get that same experience and control without a huge pricetag for a full frame sensor and faster lenses. For that, I'll need to take a step back into the past.

Yawn

Been a long time since my last post. Even Wally has been bored with my blog.

The pups have spotted a squirrel. Squirrels seem to taunt them, running directly in front of them, hiding on the back sides of trees. The boys also like groundhogs.

Wacky Wally

another photo of wally being his usual wacky self

Annapolis 10 miler - Aug 26

For some reason I forgot how hot, hilly, and humid this race has been the other years I ran it, so after a multi-year hiatus I did it again. Of course, it was beautiful weather until a few days before the race. It turned into the sort of race I had expected and dreaded. I do not believe sweating had any cooling effect with the humidity. I ran about as expected, finishing in the middle of my age group. The sad thing is that my training runs are usually faster than I did last weekend. No excuses - I did what I was capable on that day.
Why did I run Annapolis again? Friends, scenery, and of course the awesome finisher's premium.
It seems to always be hot and humid, nasty racing conditions. I'll probably do it again.

Wally plays ball

It's been quite a while, but here's Wally paying ball the other day. It's been too hot to play outside for long.

on the hunt

When Bean and Wally get on a scent, hang on!