It's All in the Glass

What a difference a lens makes! Ever wonder how the pros have these super sharp images? How they can shoot in seemingly impossible situations? When the best you can do is outlines, silhouettes and a lot of grain. Fast lenses my friend. They are not cheap but the results are amazing. I like to rent the 70-200mm, f/2.8 lens. The difference speaks for itself. Fast lenses have the larger aperture openings that range from f/1.4-f/2.8, where the average kit lens might start at f/3.5-f/5 which are fine for outdoors but difficult to work with in low-light situations.

Grant Reitzal, Monthly Pursuit Service @ 422CHURCH.COM

Randy DonGiovanni, Monthly Pursuit Service @422CHURCH.COM

Grant Reitzal, Monthly Pursuit Service @ 422CHURCH.COM

Close-up of old glory with a little diffused light shining through.

Fading light & shallow depth of field.

Using the longer focal distance foreshortens objects.

A moment of rapt attention caught from across the room and perfect window light. 

Literally a game of catch me if you can. This lens had no trouble keeping up.

There are several rental companies out there that allow you to try these lenses before buying. It is a great way to generate professional looking images for important projects. This allows you to build your portfolio and clients until the day comes when you can afford to own this type of glass. Try the 70-200mm, f/2.8 lens, I guarantee it will be instant love. It is heavy but the results will be noticeable.

Hats Off to Reading

I love that people still love to read, even in an age where everything has to have a screen and movement. Now, don't get me wrong, I teach digital media and fully understand its value but there is still something to be said about having a tangible book in your hands. Oh, I love my Kindle, its great for travel and nighttime reading. I don't lose my page when I put it down, but it's hard to look ahead or to go more than a few pages back. It's not very practical for textbooks and reference material. That sense of accomplishment after perusing stacks of pages is lost on the percentage line. But both work for me. Although I will tell you it was fun a few weeks back when several from my church set-up a book fair with hundreds of books in the center of Norristown. For several hours we had a light but steady stream of people from all walks of life come-in to find something to read. I'll never forget the young boy who was overjoyed to find a book about his favorite mouse. Or the young man who diligently looked through every title on the table and then through the overflow boxes on the floor. We had a few homeless people, a lot of Spanish speakers, the man from the tax place next door, families, children, seniors, and even a lady in full burqa. You see a good book knows not age, gender, race or religion but it sure does make for good company. And there are some books out there that can even change your life.

 "It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.” ― Oscar Wilde


"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."
— Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"


"The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think. No book in the world equals the Bible for that." --Mccosh

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ― C.S. Lewis


I am currently reading a biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer...how about you?