The Dawn Of A New Day (5 Images) Part 1

Hi, Everyone!  What I have been waiting for, and what you have been waiting for, occurred yesterday!  As time ticked on by ever so slowly, I kept running to the door, then I kept one ear attended to the street noises as I worked in my gardens, waiting (not at all!) patiently for the UPS Truck.  When it finally did arrive, I did not even hear it, and all that (nail biting) waiting was for naught.  Go figure!

Good thing that I didn’t see the UPS delivery because I just may not have been able to restrain myself to (throw myself at) hug the UPS man.  He brought my Gift to me and the JOY in my Heart burst and shimmered for all to see.  That UPS man brought me my Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens!  My Heart beat so loud and hard, I am surprised you did not hear it.  Or did you?  (smile)

Taking the lens out of the box, I immediately saw that it is more then twice the length of my 60 mm f/2.8 Macro lens, and it is at least twice the weight.  I actually knew this when I purchased this lens, but in actually seeing this lens and holding this lens, it is a far different experience then seeing a picture of it.  My Heart sank.  I could not justify purchasing the Macro lens with the Image Stabilizer on it, because the cost was almost $1,000.00 American dollars.  That means, in order to hand hold this lens, I must have extreme control over hand shake and movement.

At the moment, my hands and wrists do not have the strength to hold this lens steady as I am accustomed to.  Did that deter me?  I must be truthful, for a few moments it did.  This new day that has dawned for me, means I have to learn how to steady my hands and also how to use my NEW tripod with my camera/Macro lens to get outstanding photos.  Anyways, all this was going through my mind, as I stood looking at this lens, now attached to my camera body.

I asked myself if I was about to allow fear to control me, to cheat me from an opportunity to see what I can actually do now with this lens, and to see what this lens can do for me.  My answer was no.  So, I took my camera, put those (darn) glasses on my nose, and outside I went to search for Treasure.  YES! I found it.  And in finding it, I observed in the doing, that I can steady this heavy lens while laying on the ground using my arms as “tripods”, my elbows firmly on the ground, and my forehead pressed against the camera itself.  Holding my breath as well to control movement further, is a must, as I not only press the shutter but as I am manually focusing.  That can be a LONG breath.  Good thing I do Yoga!

In the search for Treasure, I discovered while I am free standing, the hand shakes are very visible.  As I have stated, my hands and my wrists are not strong enough (YET) but, with all this gardening I am presently doing, (all things truly do have a purpose!) what is needed to keep that heavy lens steady in a free stand posture, this too, shall be accomplished.  I have every faith in myself as a photographer and as the person I AM!

Part 2 of this series will contain one photograph where I was free standing.  After three attempts at getting a clear image, I actually snapped a perfect image.  Imagine that!  I admit, it was far from easy, but, AmyRose does not walk away from a challenge.  (smile)

Before I show you my Treasure, I want to tell you I have 4 gardens completed (this does not include fertilization nor preparing for insects) with a 5th garden started which I plan on finishing today.  I would very much like to get a 6th garden at least started today as well.  Tomorrow rain is in the forecast which is a good thing, because this sore body truly needs a rest.  And in that rest, TA DA!, I may just be blogging!  OH FOR THE JOY!

[The conditioning I am receiving now from preparing my garden beds, will enable me to do more as time goes by.  I know I said I have 20 gardens, but you wait and see.  Before you know all of them shall be done!  And it is a very good thing that some of my gardens are small so they I will be able to do in a jiffy!]

And now for the show!  Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you Treasures taken with my new Macro lens.  The reviews I read repeatedly stated this lens takes extremely tack sharp images, and as you are about to see, the sharpness in these images I took will blow you away.  It did me.  Now remember, these are all hand held, taken in manual focus.  Also, none of these images are cropped.  Can you imagine what I can do with my camera/Macro lens on a tripod?  The possibilities are unlimited!!

Enjoy!!!!! Enjoy!!!!! You are witnessing history at Petals today!! OH FOR THE JOY!!!!

MF Photography/ “The Dawn Of A New Day” 2015©AmyRose

All photographs taken with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens, hand held, in manual focus, without an Image Stabilizer.

4/16/15