I'm almost back where I began when I first discovered photography 16 years ago. I'm finding myself shooting a lot with my 50mm f1.8 (the original metal body/mount). Next I'll probably go back film and Fujichrome 50-except I have no film cameras left, and they don't make fujichrome 50 (Velvia might do, but I still need a film camera since I gave away my EOS-3 at Christmas). I'm finding myself shooting less and thinking more of what I'm actually seeing in the viewfinder now that I'm limited by my fixed focal lengths. I spent Monday with my family at Monterey Bay packing just prime lenses -20mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, and no flash. It was an interesting day trying to compose without the ability to zoom except with my legs ;) I shot mostly with the 50 as it seemed to afford me the most flexibility through the day.
.Some jellyfish shot with the 50mm

wow...I love the jellyfish...the colors and details are beautiful...
hope you had fun with the family too ;)

The school field trip was Monday, but we went Sunday and stayed overnight and met the school at the aquarium. The kids had a blast, especially at the beach. Some pics (just snaps-nothing artitistic)

more snaps

I'm almost back where I began when I first discovered photography 16 years ago. I'm finding myself shooting a lot with my 50mm f1.8 (the original metal body/mount). Next I'll probably go back film and Fujichrome 50-except I have no film cameras left, and they don't make fujichrome 50 (Velvia might do, but I still need a film camera since I gave away my EOS-3 at Christmas).

Shooting with primes can be an interesting activity. But why go back to film? It appears to me that you are looking for more control rather than less. Film will take away most of the personal control over the images that is provided by digital.

Shooting with primes can be an interesting activity. But why go back to film? It appears to me that you are looking for more control rather than less. Film will take away most of the personal control over the images that is provided by digital.
I was feeling nostalgic when I posted that. No, I probably wouldn't go back to film simply because I don't want the hassle of scanning slides and negatives, but there is something about holding those little jewels of light against a viewbox light with a 10x lupe checking the details and sharpness ;)

Leon,

SHHHHH... I just shoot a wedding for a friend (my first as THE PHOTOG) not 30 minutes ago with my F100/ 50 F1.8 on some SUPRA 100 I had on ice ;)

I came home to surf and grab my DIGITAL gear too inbetween the I DO's and the reception( no yaddy ya crowded rooms for me)

For some strange reason , though I don't mind, they wanted NEGS instead of FILES. Reception is open season since they don't care too much about 90% of the reception images (only the posed family xtuff)

As to your "snaps" , those are the images that I prefer of people! UNREHEARSED, UNPOSED... true emotion images! I love these images!

I really enjoyed viewing these pictures. I'm glad you and your family had such a good time. I agree with Paul about the "best" shots being the snaps you capture when having a good time. These are fun action shots.

Since my time to play with the camera is so limited, I enjoy going to NYC just to shoot whatever I can see while I'm there. My favorite photos are always the ones many would consider just snapshots - the ones I capture at the moment when someone is having fun. ;)

Thanks for sharing them here.

Liz

more snaps

Leon,

SHHHHH... I just shoot a wedding for a friend (my first as THE PHOTOG) not 30 minutes ago with my F100/ 50 F1.8 on some SUPRA 100 I had on ice ;)

I came home to surf and grab my DIGITAL gear too inbetween the I DO's and the reception( no yaddy ya crowded rooms for me)

For some strange reason , though I don't mind, they wanted NEGS instead of FILES. Reception is open season since they don't care too much about 90% of the reception images (only the posed family xtuff)

As to your "snaps" , those are the images that I prefer of people! UNREHEARSED, UNPOSED... true emotion images! I love these images!

well some people DO prefer the look of film over digital
personal preference

CORRECT, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a non digital lab that can print film NICELY anymore. YES non digital C41 labs are still around, but I haven't seen one personally that can out print even a properly run CVS drug stores mini lab :)

My lab just converted from wet-process to digital printing. They're expensive and have a lot of experience, and the prices went up to do the digital printing (yikes!). But - the proofs look almost identical to previous jobs except that they seem to have a little more "snap" to them. And now I can include a CD of images to clients.

Some people just don't know what to do with digital files though - ever get emails from friends with huge pictures attached (as in - right out of the 6mp camera?!). I had one wedding earlier this year where the bride insisted on no digital because of her bad experiences with P&S digicams. I thought that was interesting, even though I'm doing this stuff with film.

Anyway, nice shots - and I agree about unposed shots really carrying the feeling better. They've always been my favorites. There is nothing like Velvia on a light table, but I agree about the hassle of scanning too!

Glad to know your family had such a great time. And yes, the "best" shots being the snaps you capture when having a good time.

Those jelly fish shots are just wonderful. Great family shots, those always are keepers!

This is the most photography I've had the chance to do outside of the office in a very long time. I had a really fun time shooting pics of my kids, these are some of the better snaps I took (I shot a ton of course). It's more fun to photograph on the fly with family than being an "event" photographer at something like a banquet (which I just shot for a local high school this weekend-man, talk about stress!!!-worse than shooting a wedding).
Again, thanks for looking and posting. :)