Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Lenses

I thought all of you 'Lens Lovers' would appreciate a couple of highlights from the current
National Geographic.The quotes are from the article "Cosmic Vision;"

"When you start stargazing with a telescope, two experiences typically ensue. First, you are astonished by the view -- Saturn's golden rings, star clusters glittering like jewelry on black velvet, galaxies aglow with gentle starlight older than the human species -- and by the realization that we and our world are part of this gigantic system.
Second, you soon want a bigger telescope."

"The telescope doesn't just show you what's out there;
it impresses upon you how little you know."

It seems to be the 'norm' with the people that the more we know, the more we want to know; be it from earth to the farthest reaches of the universe, or from the smallest things we can see with our naked eye to the microscopic. Its incredible to live in this day when lenses of all kinds help us see beyond ourselves into realms that are seemingly infinite.
In birding, photography is one of the biggest insatiable desires. "Capture that bird!" It has opened up a whole new appreciation in me for the 'distance lens'. Now, you can get that photo without having to be right next to the bird - in fact, you can be quite a distance away and the photo will be incredible in quality!
Oh the wonders of science! Its a great temptation for me to 'upgrade' - but for now, I'm going to be still. I know that someday, the right day, I will have better equipment. But, I am also aware that even then, I may not be satisfied - I will want the lens that reaches farther, captures a wider view or focuses faster.
I can surely appreciate the beautiful photos I see on your blogs! Continue to have fun because that's really what this is all about! :)

6 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Yes,it is about havinf fun.When photographt ceases to be that ,is when I will quit.From experience I can say that better equipment just makes it more fun.
Blessings,Ruth

ivars krafts said...

Been there, done that.
I still lust for the longer telephoto lenses.
My 8" telescope seems pitifully small.
But unless we use what we have, we miss the joy of photography as well as the splendor of the universe that is disclosed by the smallest telescopes, binoculars, or even the naked eye. If I'm not mistaken, Galileo's telescope was only 2".

Diane said...

Ruth, I'm quite sure that better equipment makes it more fun. For me, right now, it's fun when I happen to get a good shot :)

Ivars, I agree :) My effort now is to figure out the best that my little camera can do and work with that for now.
Re Galileo: the article in the National Geographic said his telescope was only one-and-a-half inch! This fall is the 400th anniversary of his telescope. Apparently after trying to map just one constellation, Orion, he gave up because he was 'overwhelmed by the vast quantity of stars'. :)

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Ruth is right- it's all about the fun and the joy that feeds our souls.

Jayne said...

We often strive to get that "perfect photo" so much that we miss the joy in the opportunity we're given. A good reminder Diane. :c)

Richard said...

Agree with birding is about the fun but for me it's also the fun of finally getting a great picture after 30 or 40 attempts. I think we all live for the challenge of seeing a lifer and then capturing it in pictures to prove we actually saw it.

BTY, I saw a Ivory Billed Woodpecker the other day but didn't have my camera...:-)