Lensbaby 2.0 - A New Found Love?

LB 005, originally uploaded by Adriana Glackin.

I feel very fortunate in that I've recently been able to borrow a lensbaby 2.0 to try out and have a play with. This weekend was the first opportunity I've had to have a real attempt at using this tricky little lens. I did take it away with me for the girlie weekend last weekend, but really had no idea what on earth I was doing. This week, I was able to read up a little on how to use the lensababy and have a real go at taking some photos with it.

I haven't ventured very far, just my garden and my neighbour's garden. I'm pretty pleased with the results so far - gosh, between the Black Glass, my old filters and now this lensbaby, I think I've got enough fads to last me for a while! I can't wait until next weekend to go a little further afield and see what I can do with it.

Why do I like the lensbaby? I think it's the unpredictability, the shallow dof and the other-worldly feel it has to it. It's really difficult to duplicate the same effect - well, for me it certainly is...and it's part of this photographic, learning journey that I find myself on. Visti my flickr site to see more of the lensbaby images I've taken so far.

Sunrise versus Sunset - The Dilemma

The Entrance at Sunset, originally uploaded by Adriana Glackin.

I recently went along to The Entrance for a weekend filled with fun and frivolity with a group of my girlfriends. Spending three nights there meant that I would have three opportunities to shoot a beach scape scene at sunrise. Living in the Blue Mountains as I do, means that here was a great opportunity to have the seaside at my fingertips. It would be a walk across the road, right? Surely it can't be easier than that?
Anyone who knows The Entrance, knows just how picturesque it is, beaches within walking distance, and even more stunning beaches if you're prepared for a ten minute drive...so you would think it would be easy, right? Wrong!
I've discovered that the time that beds are at their most comfortable, is just before sunrise. I call this the "Cosy Bed Syndrome". Suddenly, what had been an ordinary bed for most of the night, becomes a most luxuriously warm and cosy bed that simply entices you to stay within it's toasty billowy confines. Was I able to wake up for at least one sunrise? Not a chance. I slept straight through the alarm.
I've decided that those photographers amongst us who wake up at "stupid o'clock" (and never has there been a better name for it), are immune to the powers of the "cosy bed syndrome"; are insomniacs who are awake at that time anyway; sleep on timber slats, no mattress and so have no problem getting up; have partners that are chronic snorers; drank waaaay too much coffee the day before and have yet to go to bed; or even worse - are really dedicated to catching that magic moment when the sun first peaks over the horizon and will sacrifice sleep no matter what it takes.
Alas, I am not one of those photographers. I did however, manage to take myself to the beach and photograph three gorgeous sunsets. I also managed to chat with a fellow photographer (even though he way using a Nikon), and I got chatted up by septuagenarian by the name of Alistair during this time. All isn't lost, as the sunset hour is just as magical as the sunrise hour - well, from the photographs I've seen of sunrises, they're both pretty special times of day.

Photographic Art Sale

[caption id="attachment_176" align="aligncenter" width="212" caption="10% OFF all my Photographic Art"][/caption]

That's right - buy any of my photographic art pieces and receive 10% off.

This offer is valid until 26th July 09 - Hurry - don't miss out! 

Tell your friends, tell your family - Shipped worldwide.

The Three Sisters, Katoomba B&W

The Three Sisters, Katoomba B&W, originally uploaded by Adriana_G.

I can see why kids jump and down with glee when they get a new toy...as that's exactly what I was doing when I opened up the box of my new Canon EOS 50D - oh what joy I felt! With every squeeze of the shutter, a small but shrill squeal would escape my lips - I just couldn't contain my excitement. Imagine my horror at discovering that I couldn't play with it until the batteries had charged! Gasp!

Anyway, the photograph I've included is from the first outdoor opportunity I've had to shoot with my new camera, who will henceforth be known as "Precious". Going along with Tanya and Peter, fellow photographers (who know what they're doing, btw), was a day spent in rapture as I familiarised myself with Precious, and all the clever things she can do. I borrowed Peter's Sigma 10-20mm lens to take this photo (a lens I think I'm in love with...sigh...), and am very pleased with the results. :)

Mackinac at Midnight

Mackinac at Midnight, originally uploaded by kklawiter.

Flickr's "blog this" functionality makes promoting artists and their images so much easier. Then, if you connect your blogs and networking sites, that means that it becomes quite effortless to promote your favourite finds from the web. Would have loved to link this direct from Karri's RedBubble site, but flickr's "blog this" is hard to beat.