At the stroke of midnight last night, my Christmas Giveaway closed. A big thank you to all who entered by leaving a comment on what you’ve learned over the past year. It appears that if your name was Mark, your odds were decidedly better than if it wasn’t. Rest assured, there was no fix just Random.org popping out the winning comment numbers. The winner of the Bryan Peterson package was Mark Olwick from Seattle and the winner of the David duChemin eBook Collection was Mark Forman from Taichung, Taiwan. Both Marks have been notified and I hope we’ll hear about their learning journey in the year ahead.
I do have a small celebration of my own to share. Recently I sold one of my kit lenses (55-200mm) and used the money towards a new 70-300mm. Much has been said about this lens by a number of well-known photographers and most of it good. I’ve been wanting to acquire a street lens and I considered the new Nikkor 18-200mm VRII but in the end I went with the lens with the longer range. While the new 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII is on my wish list, the reality is it’s a pricey lens and right now I just cannot justify the cost. As Alan Olson so aptly shared with his lesson learned for the Christmas Giveaway “in the end, it’s the person holding the camera and using what you have that makes the biggest difference“.
This morning I ventured out before the sunrise with my two friends, Dave and David, to test out my new lens. Just as morning was breaking, we arrived at the White Rock Pier and were greeted with the sights of the season. This image was one of the first pictures I shot. After a couple of hours of shooting a few frames, we headed inside for coffee. I’ve made it a point to say that I shot only a few frames in a couple of hours because I struggled a little with finding my groove with this lens. I didn’t realize how comfortable I’d become with my 55-200mm, knowing somewhat intuitively what it would do at various focal lengths and being satisfied with the results. With the 70-300mm, my learning has begun anew; how exciting!
I was finding the same thing with your new lens as I was trying it out. I’m so used to my 18-200 that I felt a little lost with the different lengths . It shows how our minds can get locked,huh? That’s a great lens though. Thanks!
‘Twas strange, Dave. I even felt more comfortable when I switched to the 10-20mm after I shot this one. We are going to have fun getting used to our new focal lengths in January (or February)!
It looks to me like you are off to a pretty good start with the new lens. I enjoy the get acquainted period with a new lens but like it best when that disappears and it is all automatic again. Kind of like getting a new watch they are at their best when you finally don’t notice the watch just what the time is.
Congratulations to the Marks!
That’s a great analogy, Ray. It’s good to know that Dave and I are “normal”
Thanks Sabrina-I’m honored to be the winner of David dC’s books. His message really resonates with me. I wish all your readers a happy and healthy new year and enriched photographic and life experience.
PS:Glad my parents named me Mark
I love this shot, Sabrina. The reflections are just so pretty.
And as for your contest… the very best thing about it is that everyone who spends some time reading the comments wins. Have to love that.
Peace.
Thanks Erin.
I couldn’t have said it better myself
Learning can begin anywhere but it’s always sweeter when shared.
Well, this “Mark” is disappointed, but ah well! A wonderful image by a photographer I just met. Look forward to more!
Mark – NJ
If you miss and want to buy a 55-200 I still have one
need to get around to selling it. Love thi image. The reflection on the doc is great.