Coffee Beans Close

Canon EOS 5D, 50mm + 25mm Extension Tube @ f/8, 1/30 sec., ISO 250.  

I've recently been doing some work with a 25mm extension tube giving space between my camera body and its lens.   There are no optics involved, just air.  The Canon EF 25mm Extension Tube maintains all electronic communication between the camera and lens, for autofocus and aperture settings.  This does a couple of things.  First, by moving the lens further away from the digital sensor plane it causes the focusing distance to be shortened.  Meaning that objects can now be put into focus much closer to the lens than they could otherwise.  In the case of the 50mm f/1.4 lens, the minimum focusing distance shifted from 1.5 feet to roughly 3 inches.  The compromise, however, is that the lens can no longer focus to infinity.  Rather, the maximum focusing distance is chopped down to about 5 inches.  Yes, this brings incredible constraints on practical usage, but the intent here is to gain macro capabilities.  This is the second major shift that an extension tube brings, magnification.  Objects will now be recorded larger on the sensor since they are significantly closer to the lens and in focus.  A whole new world unfolds under macro photography.  Not only can small subjects and details fill an entire image, but the mundane can easily be turned into abstractions and compelling art. 

Canon EOS 5D, EF 100mm f/2.8 + 25mm Extension Tube, f/16, 1 sec., ISO 250.

Canon EOS 5D, EF 100mm f/2.8 + 25mm Extension Tube, f/13, 2.5 sec., ISO 250.

Canon EOS 5D, EF 50mm f/1.4 + 25mm Extension Tube, f/22, 2.5 sec., ISO 100.

Card Holder

Everyone needs one.

One part of self-promotion that I need to get into better habit of is getting these things into the hands of others.  Often, I struggle with the quality of my work or services and refuse to believe that others may yet still want them.  And the only way I can help them realize they want them is to expose them to what I do.  Megan continuously gives me marketing and networking ideas and it is about time that I make some moves. 

She Rocks!

 

Nonna Chic has officially launched!  Yes, 'tis true, the woman of my life has formally posted business on ETSY.  Here, you'll find the initial offerings of her creative designs and craft.   It's exhilarating to witness the process of launching a new enterprise and to be spurred along in the action.  Keep an eye on her on ETSY shop as well as her fresh blog, she's got lots of new essentials coming! 

Project 365

Day1.  Canon 5d, 50mm f1.4, 1/160 @ f/2.2, ISO 1250.

I've been watching people work through photo projects over the years that are simply based on taking a photograph everyday for a year.  Naturally, these are called "Project 365" and each has a varying degree of simplicity.  Some are just a photo a day while others are more involved like requiring each photo to be of a certain subject, say food, or only self-portraits are allowed, et cetera.  This has inspired me to develop a "Project 365" of my own for the grand purpose of forcing me to photograph more and more often, and ultimately to become a better photographer, especially in terms of how I look at the world around me and compose each shot.  

To make this project mine, I'm adding two requirements for photos taken, they are: 1) use of 50mm prime lens and 2) processed in black and white.  I'm going to use my personal Flickr account, under the handle Penzance, for this is the easiest place to manage this type of work.  A new set entitled 365/50mm/B&W exists to keep everything seamless apart from the larger photostream.  Posting everyday is not as important to me as is simply getting behind the lens.

Launching something new is always exciting and I can't wait to see how this unfolds and for how long it can be sustained.

Travel Photography

I've recently returned from a week-long trip in coffee country; that is, the district of Huehuetenango, Guatemala.  Renown for its sphere of influence to the specialty coffee community around the globe, the people and culture of Guatemala is as thick and rich as the coffee they grow.  While I'm still digesting all that I saw and learned, it is my desire to share the incredible humanity and life found among the indigenous people through photography.  As captured below, I believe you'll feel the depth and sincerity of life surrounding these people. 

Daughter of coffee.  Canon EOS 5D w/ 100mm f/2.8 macro. Exposure: f/4.0, 1/200 sec., ISO 640.

Woman picking coffee cherry.  Canon EOS 5D w/ 100mm f/2.8 macro. Exposure: f/2.8, 1/5000 sec., ISO 1250.

Girl waiting for dinner.  Canon EOS 1Ds MkII w/ 50mm f/1.4.  Exposure: f/1.4, 1/30 sec., ISO 1600.

In the coming days I'll be putting together a written "trip report" and photo set (via flickr.com) for Counter Culture to help convey these people and their labor for coffee.  Start thinking about your morning coffee: where it comes from and who makes it happen - it is not about you or me.

Peace,
Jeff