Through My Lens

Holiday Lights Downtown Venice

These images were shot with my Canon 5D Mark IV and my Sigma 35 mm 1.4 Art Lens, without a tripod. I am finding the Sigma very fast and accurate in low light. The first image was shot at f 3.2. 5000 ISO, 1/80 second; the second at f 2.5, 4000 ISO, and 1/100 sec. Both were processed in Lightroom and then Topaz AI Clear to remove noise. Amazingly, there wasn’t that much noise to begin with. Two years ago I did the same shoot with my Canon 24-105L on a tripod so I could get longer exposures at lower ISO. Given a choice, I will always leave the tripod at home, so I’m glad I bought this lens.

D is for Dredging

I took this shot in the area of the Venice Jetty this morning and can’t decide whether I prefer color or black and white. Fellow bloggers, what do you think? I know the image has nothing to do with December or the holidays, but the subject surprised me and I always like to photograph the unexpected. I was just out for a walk with my husband and had to run back to the car to get my camera. Shot with Canon 6D, 24-105 lens, f 5, 1/2000 second, ISO 320.

The theme is “orange.” I shot this image a couple of weeks ago at Selby Gardens. I was trying out a new lens I’d just bought, a Sigma 35 mm 1.4 Art Lens. I was dissatisfied with my old $99 Canon 50mm 1.8 in low light and wanted something sharper. I’d read mixed reviews about the Sigma, and so I spent four days putting it through its paces. I’m happy to report that it focused quickly and right on the mark every time. An unexpected bonus is that the lens is pretty good for macro. I actually have the Canon 100 mm macro with IS, but don’t use it all that much. Maybe I should sell it, but it’s good for portraits too… Full disclosure: the cut stem to the left of the main flower was a hot spot, so I darkened it in Lightroom. It still bothers me, but this is as much as I’m willing to work on a test image. Shot with Canon 5D Mark IV, Sigma 35 mm Art lens at f 2.2, 1/160 second, ISO 400, no flash.

The theme is “feathers,” but it could also be “thankful.” A few evenings ago friends took us out on their boat to see the white pelicans in Gasparilla Sound. There were hundreds of them clustered together in the gorgeous light of golden hour. In this shot a lone pelican flies by, clearly on a mission. I was truly thankful to be able to enjoy the outdoors in warm, sunny Florida at the end of November! Shot with Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 lens, f 5.6, 1/4000 sec., ISO 800.

The theme is fire. The subject is an incredible performer with Taiko Ronin, a Japanese drumming troupe that enthralled audiences at the Sarasota Medieval Faire this weekend. Shot with Canon 5D Mark IV, 70-200 f4 lens at f/5, 1/1250 sec, ISO 1600.

I am starting this blog as part of a group of photographers sharing and commenting on each other’s images. We will have certain themes or technical challenges to choose from each month. The first image I’m posting answers the challenge of depicting motion. I took this shot of the USAF Thunderbirds performing at the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda on November 2. I used a Canon 5D Mark IV with a 70-200 L f4 lens; shot at f5.6, 1/2500 sec, 200 mm., ISO 400.