Wednesday, July 17, 2013

In Focus



I have a love hate relationship with my macro lens.

I love how close I can shoot some things, though I wish the lens would allow me to focus right on top of something, which it won't. :(  And the depth of field is incredibly fickle, even with a fairly tiny aperture.






But I still find more things to like about it than things I don't like, so for now I will be content with the shots I can get and not focus on the shots I can't get.  

See the dragonfly pic above...see those tiny round things on the back end of the dragonfly...those are eggs!  And if you follow the tail up you can see a few more eggs which I assume will soon be laid.  In my perfect macro lens world I would be able to get the whole dragonfly in focus...and be really, really close...close enough to see each of those tiny little eggs!





And in my perfect macro lens world, insects would stand perfectly still and let me take as much time as I want to capture their amazing detail.





But then I wouldn't have to work hard in order to get each shot...and life would be practically perfect, and where's the fun in that?!





The dragonfly agrees.




And deep down I know it's not the camera's fault or even the fault of my macro lens, it has more to do with my weird obsession with wanting everything in perfect focus, well when I want everything to be in focus anyway.  It's a complicated emotion folks, and I don't claim to be able to explain my weirdness! :)




This week has been a mixed bag of emotions.  Today I had lunch with friends, it was wonderful to get together and it was even more special to be able to celebrate someone's 88th birthday!  Mr. Tide has been working non stop, it comes with the territory of his job, and though I know what he does is very important, sometimes I worry about the toll it takes on him.  And yesterday I got a phone call that a dear old friend had unexpectedly lost his son...his only child, and someone who was way too young to go.  My heart breaks for him and his wife, and their loss has hit me hard.

 Life is sometimes like me and my macro lens, it isn't perfect, it's sometimes hard to deal with, but when you focus on the right parts, you really are able to capture its beauty.  Hug those you love tight my friends and focus on the good things in life.  It's as close to perfection as you will ever come.  

12 comments:

  1. Oh my- that photography is simply amazing-- the detail of the wings is incredible!! Great job Kat--

    Your friends loss is so unthinkable- the kind of loss that can take you to your knees. A parents worst nightmare---- every day is a precious gift. The older I get-- the more I realize this to be true.

    Prayers for your friend --
    Vicki

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  2. Amazing photography. So sorry about your friends loss. It does hit you hard sometimes.....(((((HUGS))))

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  3. These pictures are amazing! I've never seen anything like this! You amaze me with your knowledge of photography. Your analogy about perfection is right on target. That's why I love when your posts pop up, I come away with a new focus.

    I am so, so sorry about your friend's son...I can't imagine what they are going through. Losing a child is an unbearable thought for me.

    I hope next week is better for you.

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. Gorgeous photos! So sorry about your fiends son, I can't imagine! Praying for your friend and hoping tomorrow is a better day for you!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  5. Wow! Amazing photos- kinda spooky looking-almost like an alien species when photographed like that!;>) I am so sorry that your friend lost the only son. How awful. We just never know what lie is going to drop in our path, do we? God bless that family- xo Diana

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  6. Your photos are AMAZING! I love that we can see the eggs! As you suffer the sadness of your friend's son, something as a parent that I cannot ever imagine, think back to your photos...the amazing life before us....and use it to celebrate the sweet memory of your friend's child. Sorry for your loss.

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  7. Such a beautiful and heartfelt post. I like you want everything to be "in focus", or maybe I should stay stay in focus, but that is an unfair request I suppose. I am so sorry to hear of your friends lose. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.

    Your pictures are beautiful. The wings are my favorite.....magical. We all need a bit of magic this summer I think. Hugs...

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  8. Oh. My. Gawd. awesome shots......reminder to self: invest in better macro lens.

    and thank you for reminding me to give my friends a real hug today....and tell them how much I love them....

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  9. These photos are amazing, Kat! Beautiful detail! I'm sorry to hear of your friend's loss...XO

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  10. WOW... incredible photos! So sad about your friend losing his only son ... what a tragedy, heartbreaking...

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  11. Astounding! You do dragonflies like no other Kat. Your analogy with the lens and life is so true. So sorry for the great loss your friends' are enduring. xoxo

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  12. I would say these macro shots are perfection. I am seeing dragonflies this year. Normally we do not see them.

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