Received my Nikon 60mm f/2.8D Macro lens yesterday. I have always been interested in macro photography and recently also bought the macro optic accessory for my LensBaby. Hopefully I will be using both the lenses over the weekend and post some pictures here for your reviews and critiques.

Traffic Lights

This was taken at a traffic light while driving home. Camera was luckily on my passenger seat and I had the Tamron 17-55mm f/1.8 lens on my camera. Following settings were used; f/32, ISO 400 and shutter 2.5 secs. This is not a post-processed picture and curves in the light happened due to a hand shake. The reason i liked it so much and decided to post is the way colors and lights came out with a twist.

Exploring with LensBaby

Ok, couldn't wait to test and post my first lensbaby image. This a white Dogwood tree in my front lawn and was taken with a f/2.8 aperture, ISO 200 and shutter 1/3200 settings with a little downward tilt to the lens. This is pre post-processing except the image was sharpen a little bit. I would love to hear comments and suggestions.

Beginnings of Abstract & Creative Photography

Today I received my Lensbaby Composer with its accessories; macro, wide angle and telephoto optics. Eager to try out but have to do some reading on it. I am getting more and more into abstract and creative photography and that was the main reason for this purchase. I have realized I am not that interested in conventional photography.

Actually a friend of mine introduced me to it and the moment I saw the gallery on the its website, (lensbaby) I fell in love with it. It should be an interesting experience and see where it leads me to.

Syed's Journey into the world of Photography

Well, I bought my first DSLR back in 2003. It was a Canon Rebel with a kit 17-55mm lens. Since I didn't know much about photography, I started using it as a point-and-shoot camera and never explored all its controls and settings. I guess, I have always been overwhelmed and intimidated with all that comes with photography. I remember growing up my dad had a Roliflex camera and later on he bought a Yashica.

Anyway, since last year my nephew who is a professional photographer now and does weddings got me more intrigued about photography and ended up buying a used Nikon D300 after I sold my camera and the lenses which were mostly useless kit lenses on Craig's list. Right before his wedding, we were all at my sister's house and talking shop, when I started asking him questions. His suggestion was to get a D90. As he was telling me about what he was planning on upgrading to from his Canon 40D. It sparked my curiosity about D300.... the best feature I liked was the 51 auto-focus cross hairs... yes, I was still on the point-and-shoot mind set. When he heard that, he told me not to waste my money and get a $150 point-and-shoot camera or learn photography.

Well that made me start learning and ever since I have been exploring more and more. Currently I have a Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, and 85mm f/1.8 lens which were all recommended by him.

I also started reading few books and I would recommend any newbie to read them. First one is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson and the other one is Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting.

My main goal for this blog is to share my pictures and knowledge with other enthusiasts, and get critiques. Its going to be a long journey but an interesting one.

Sincerely,
Syed