I can't pick just one....

I have to admit to a failing, I simply have LOTS of trouble winnowing down my photos to the best ones. I have heard it said that the difference between amateur and professional photographers is the size of their trashcan, so I guess this means I am an amateur because I fall in love with too many images and can't let them go. Sigh... First world problems? Yep. I can't really help myself though. There are so many awesome images just waiting for me! 

These were all taken in the area where I live, mostly walking home from Light Rail to my house. All with my Pentax 16-85, I am about ready to write up a user review of the lens, I think I have enough experience with the lens by now.

Early Shooting With a New Lens: Introducing the Pentax HD DA 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 DC WR

Through the generosity of my father I was able to replace my trusty but dusty and worn Sigma 17-70 with the new Pentax 16-85. I will not be providing a full report on the lens yet, it is still FAR too new for me to provide a reasonably accurate or thorough opinion of the lens. Suffice it to say that in just a week or so of use... I think I am going to REALLY REALLY like it.

My first real test of this lens, late evening, no tripod, a local event at the lake, floating lights to help benefit the Make A Wish foundation. However that helps, I think they charged per light or something. Anyway, somewhat challenging lighting, needing to push ISO, shoot with wider apertures, needing steady hands. I had quite a few shots I messed up with poor shutter technique, was having a little trouble relaxing. I think the color rendition is a little warmer than the Sigma and many of my other lenses. There is a richness to the color that I like.

The focusing seems to be quite fast and is super quiet! This is a bit of a problem as I am used to hearing the sound of the screwdrive stopping when the lens has found focus.

This  shot gives you an idea of the bokeh, the rounded aperture really seems to make the out of focus areas nicely smooth.

A little HDR to pull in some drama.

Couldn't decide between the two. They say that the difference between amateurs and pros is the size of the trashbin... guess I am still an amateur.

This was a tough shot, handheld, leaning against a sign f5.6 1/3s at 16mm.

Left for some fireworks that started at 10:00, grabbed this of the ferris wheel on a tripod now.

Amazingly I was able to lock focus on an active firework and got a lot of shots I liked. I mashed up the ones I liked the most into three. They make nice desktop wallpapers.

So, so far so good with the new lens, will keep shooting and try to form a more complete opinion in the next few weeks.

Shoot What is Around You!

Sometimes it is nice to travel someplace different, and get your photographic juices flowing, it is easy, you are seeing something new and just capturing the newness. What is harder is finding the newness in what you see everyday. This is why I sometimes carry a macro lens, but not today, I was planning to shoot stuff further away than the macro will reach. 

I walk around my neighborhood a lot, especially the lake nearby. I am often going later at night or am in a hurry and cannot take the time to stop and take photos, so I deliberately left my camera home.

NOT today! Wahoo!

Determined to capture the beauty around me that I often don't notice (in a hurry, tired etc...) I grabbed my camera as I went out the door to walk my daughter to school and take a walk with my wife.

Today it was totally worth it. Water droplets on some fallen leaves? Notice and walk past usually, today: down on my knees falling behind daughter and wife taking some quick shots.

Cormorants, love these dorky looking things!

Lots of ducklings at the lake, wondering how she keeps track of all of them!

Guess it was portrait time, he posed. I swear he posed!

I have been wanting to get a photo of a red shouldered blackbird for awhile, usually they look like this. Stupid things. Somehow they know when I am about to press the button...

Not all of the ducks are up and doing stuff yet. This duckpile had a rather sullen looking member.

Some poppies along the trail make for a nice splash of color.

At the north end of the lake there is a wooden trail through the rushes and cattails. This year there have been multiple birds hanging out right next to it, and not flying away when you walk by. Better than 2 years ago when there was a red shouldered blackbird that would dive at anybody who got close. I think she had a nest close to the trail that year.

I do not remember these guys being in Utah when I was a kid. Like them, though. A lot. The yellow/gold is beautiful, their call is not so beautiful though, imagine a rusty coffin being opened in a hurry.

Finally got the Red Shoulders I have been wanting. They are so dang dark that I had to fiddle with the files a lot, but glad to have gotten some shots. It was kind of like an itch I could not scratch.

I think this is a female Red Shouldered Blackbird. Pretty little thing!

Not sure what this bird is, but I LOVE the plumage!

Glad I got to get some good shots today, in my hood. All you have to do is look and take some time and you can find beauty all around you. You don't have to travel a long ways to take photos. Even though it is really fun!