“All you can work on today is directly in front of you. Your job is to develop an imagination of the possible.”
Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
While on a trip to the Smoky Mountains I dropped and broke my Nikon 80-400mm VR lens, a $1400 loss. Ouch! Needles to say I spent the last 3 days of our 7 day trip with nothing but two other Nikon lens, a 16-35mm and 24-85mm. Now my longest focal range dropped from 400mm to 85mm, what was I going to shoot?
The first morning we were able to shoot in Cades Cove we were met with fog, wonderful fog. Along with the fog comes the heaviness of the morning dew, so needles to say we were pretty wet by the time we returned to the hotel. I noticed a barb wire fence covered with dew near the Tipton Place and wandered over to have a look-see. I discovered this grasshopper hanging upside down and patiently waiting for the morning sun to dry his body for the days activities. Since the 24-85mm also had macro capabilities it worked great for me to get some nice images. The fog was burning off and you can see the sun approaching in the background. This image was one of my first attempts at macro photography and spurred the purchase a nice macro lens. So, I ended up working on what was in front of me.
12 Comments
QPB (Mary Ann)
I just posted a not-so-great macro, and am about ready to sell the lens. This, however, is beautiful–I love the detail. You’ll have to let me know, with all that coffee I know you drink, how you stay steady when you shoot!
Monte Stevens
I would guess my macro images are all done with a tripod. Probably the only way to get good images, especially if DOF is important to you.
Don
There are so many discussions about using only a prime lens 50mm and 35mm, maybe the accidental dropping of the lens opened up new possibilities, I love this close up.
Monte Stevens
Yes, it required me to rethink how often I use the larger lens. For me that is minimal. I do have the Nikon 70-300mm VR lens which is small and a good lens. That’s as big as I go any more.
Earl
Monte, a beautiful macro shot. Dropping that lens would of made me sick to my stomach, as I’m sure it almost did you.
Hey, by the way, don’t you know I’ve got a copyright on posting Smoky Mountain photos? 😉
Have a good weekend!
Monte Stevens
Well, it was your fault I’m looking back over these images. Even though it was 7 years ago and I was just getting serious about photography, I came back with some decent images. If I post any more I wont tell you!
Chris Klug
Ow, ow, ow. I can feel the pain of dropping that lens. Ouch.
But this image is beautiful.
Monte Stevens
I was on the verger of tears but life in photography must go on.
Paul
All that I could think of, Monte, was that this image was a result of your dropping the lens. It gave you an opportunity to experiment with macro. Hey! It’s just the way I am starting to think … now. 🙂 Beautiful shot. Still, to drop a $1400 lens would smart for a bit.
Monte Stevens
I’m not sure I’ve ever recovered from that experience. Hope you have a wonderful day today!
Mark
OUch on the lens, but good for you on getting into the macro with a great image to kick it off. I also have the 24-85 – it is quite a versatile lens because of that ability.
Monte Stevens
I wish I had that lens. I sold it and bought a Sigma 105mm macro, which I do like, but as you say the versatility of the 24-85mm is great to have.