Food Fotography

Continuing in the light-hearted vein and along the lines of photography, today's subject is of interest to very few people, but it's funny ... to me. :-)

I have an old lens that was very dear to me in my film days. It's an 80-200 Nikkor Zoom. That old lens is banged and battered but is the only one I saved when selling all the old stuff. We had some great times together. It works with my new digital equipment but barely. I carry a hand-held light meter and focus manually.

I walked along the lake front a few days ago, seeing just how much of a pain using it would be. The lens equates to a 120 ~ 300mm lens when mounted on my digital camera. That is due to the size of the digital sensor. It brought this group of diners close enough to identify. The guys with the black heads are American Black Vultures. The red-head is a Turkey Vulture.

I interrupted their meal by getting a little too close. Since I was there, and, since a friend had asked me about "product photography," I decided to try my "old faithful" lens at "food photography." I realize this may not be appealing to the readers, but those vultures were really munching on this Carp Carcass. :-) The lens seems to work just fine. I suppose the lighting is a little flat. I'll have try this in a more controlled environment. :-)

Yesterday was exciting. A nesting cardinal actually brushed my face as I walked thru Jane's vine-covered arbor. Scared the crap outta me! I regained my senses and realized what had happened. She had a nest in Jane's vines. She was scared too. I had gotten too close. Her nest was right at eye-level. I took these pics while she was away. I'll be careful not to disturb her but am looking forward to some pics of the baby cardinals.

I'm getting much better at avoiding rage and anger, don't you think? I'm trying. :-)

l8r