I love seeing the world through a 40mm pancake lens attached to my faithful Canon 5D Mark iii camera. With the slim, lightweight lens, the camera feels like an extension of my hand, a path for my vision, and a soft landing for my heart. These photographs are field notes, a simple dairy of days lived well. They are my favorite way to work-out.
Through the cold of winter, there are many short walks with snapshots along the way. Bits and pieces of an ordinary life. Things found, noticed, and recorded. Places that welcome and places that warn. Signs of winter with spring on the mind. Stitches and patterns. Color even on cold and mostly gray days. Moments and memories of kindness that I do not want to forget.
What if I have used taking care of others to avoid the hard work of taking care of myself?
And by taking care of myself I mean all the really difficult things I’d rather avoid. Am I hiding from myself? Trying to blend in and not be too conspicuous? Trying not to show off or impose or take up too much time or space?
I swapped two lenses I seldom used for a new 85mm, f1.4 lens. I’ve been taking pictures with either a 50 mm or a 35 mm lens for years, and now I’m ready to explore this longer focal length. It’s not easy to see differently. Lots of mistakes. Making progress though. And fortunately the work is challenging but not overwhelmingly frustrating.
85mm practice
