Harbinger of Imminent Autumn

I had an old 25mm extension tube that I thought I would try with a300mm lens on the old Digital Rebel--it was already well past sunset,and so I turned the little camera up to ISO 6400. It's grainy but notas bad as I thought it might be. This might have been shot at adistance of about six feet. Comments welcome.

 

--Lannie

I welcome the messenger since I am ready to turn over an old leaf.

"ready to turn over an old leaf"

 

Thank you for that one, Tony.

 

--Lannie

This is not really a terrible picture, but no one will ever look at it.  Of course, it was conceived of strictly as a test of focal range.

 

Being new to the use of extension tubes, I did not even know with absolute certainty that anything at all would be in focus.  One glimpse through the lens had indicated that, yep, infinity focus was sure gone--but that was no surprise.  What was surprising to me was that, as I moved the lens down to the walk in front of me, something was in focus--then more and more as I fiddled with both manual and auto-focus.  I would have to take pictures inside to get a sense of the actual working focal range--approximately four to fifteen feet.

 

I had bought this particular extension tube many years ago, but events at Livingstone College had intervened before I ever got to use it.  I don't even remember which lens and body combo I had been planning to use it on--but perhaps it was the EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS on the 5D II (my favorite rig of that era--don't ask me why).

 

So now, with my relic (the Rebel T2i) from my Canon years, and this recently acquired 300mm f/4 Canon EF lens, I suddenly felt like I had a piece of my life back before it was destroyed by the events of October, 2011.

 

Of course, nothing ever goes back to being like it was after a great trauma and tragedy like that.

 

--Lannie

I know almost nothing about the technical considerations that led to this picture but I know I really do like the precise focusing which captures the lines and the delicate turnings of the fallen leaf. I think the worn, earthen colors also carry out the theme of life in its turning toward winter slumber. This one works very well for me. A couple of people noticed it at least and were moved enough to write comments. You really can't expect anything more.

Thank you, Jack.  On an unconventional shot like this, I'm happy that anyone stopped to look--but you and Tony?  Well, I am very pleased and honored that you both would take the time to see something in it.

 

--Lannie