Pentax 645 150mm f3.5: Yep, It’s a keeper
After buying my Pentax 645, the first lens I purchased was the 120mm f4 macro, which I intended for studio work. But soon, the desire to go outside took over. For over a year, I would pour over lens listings, develop a wishlist, consider the prices, then delete the wishlist.Continue Reading
2020-2022: The Most Popular Posts from Each Category
Who knows why some posts are wildly popular while others are not? I certainly can’t predict. I’ve tried to look for commonalities, but nothing jumps out. For those just finding my blog, here are the posts that have drawn the most views from Gardening Journey, Photography Journey, Amidst the Flowers,Continue Reading
Carnivores Welcome!
I was surprised to see the shop in this picture. I didn’t think small, neighborhood butcher shops still existed. I lived in Baltimore for four years in the mid-1980s—it was not by choice. Baltimore never felt like home; it was never comfortable for me. Despite that, Baltimore introduced me toContinue Reading
Exposure Latitude, Or How I Stopped Worrying (so much) About Metering
Like anyone new to photography, I used to be very concerned about metering. More specifically, I worried about inaccurate camera meters. When working on a studio still life, I remain particular about metering. However, I am more lax these days regarding shots taken around the city, in the garden, orContinue Reading
VMLP 27: Minolta MC Rokkor-X 80-200mm, f4.5—Better Than Expected (Leica Liked It)
Those following along will remember my quest to try as many Minolta manual zoom lenses as possible. I am doing this for the VMLP and a little bit for the same reason people climb Mt. Everest. However, in the case of the 80-200mm, f4.5, there is a detective story of sorts. When the Minolta-LeicaContinue Reading
Violets and Creeping Jenny—They are a Blessing and a Curse
Violets and creeping Jenny do not understand the concept of boundaries. Unfortunately, they both have beautiful colors and decorative leaves. As best I can tell, the violets that plague me came from next door 10 years ago or further back. They used to grow in my neighbor’s yard in patchesContinue Reading
Au Revoir, Pincushions
Pincushion flowers found their way into the yard by way of a chance encounter at the Grower’s Outlet in Snellville, Georgia. Wandering through the maze of tables covered with plants, I spotted the lavender blooms and immediately knew they had to come home with me. The first group of fiveContinue Reading
Frame Works? Measuring Lines with Crane
Description: Midtown skyline looking westward over Piedmont Park Background: Atlanta’s skyline is constantly growing and shifting. Ten years ago, only half as many buildings were present in Midtown. I marvel at how Atlanta has grown. At one time, Midtown’s growth consisted mainly of office towers. Now, living spaces are taking over theContinue Reading
July Planting: Better Late than Never???
Mid-April seems to be the best time to plant–earlier, and frost is still possible, much later, and there is a chance the rains will stop. It could easily be 95 or hotter by the first weekend in May, which would fry tender, young plants. Some plants are real troopers. AngeloniasContinue Reading
VMLP 26: Minolta SR-T SC-II—I never saw it coming
About two years ago, I spied what looked to be a nearly mint black SR-T 101 in a large eBay lot of four lenses, three books, an SR-T SC-II, and a pack of SR-T spare parts. Hoping to fulfill my dream of owning a black 101, I wrote to theContinue Reading
