What is a Fast Lens?

The speed of a lens and how ‘fast’ it is refers to the maximum aperture of the lens. The larger the maximum aperture the faster the lens is.

When a lens is talked about it generally is described with its focal length (for example it could e a 50mm lens or a 300mm lens) as well as its maximum aperture (usually it will be a number with an ‘f’ in front of it – for example f/1.8 or f/4 or f/5.6). The smaller the number is the bigger the maximum aperture is.

Remember that aperture is the size of the hole in the lens that lets light in when you hit the shutter. So the bigger the maximum aperture – the more light that your lens will allow in.

The reason that a lens with a big maximum aperture is referred to as fast is that it lets more light in and therefore you can use faster shutter speeds even when there might not be much light around.

Why would you want a fast lens?

Fast lenses can be advantageous over slower ones in certain shooting conditions and types of photography. They really come into their own where there is either low light (for example if you need to shoot indoors but can’t use a flash) or where you need to use a fast shutter speed (for example in sports or even wildlife photography). They are especially useful when you need both a fast shutter speed in low light (ie indoor sports).

Keep in mind also that because you’re using larger apertures that this has an impact upon the depth of field that you get in your shots. Larger apertures lead to shallower depth of field which can be a great thing if you’re wanting to make your subject really stand out from its background.

Fast lenses can be really useful to have but unfortunately they can also be quite expensive to buy. However if you’d like a more economical fast lens you might like to check out 50mm lenses.

Underwater beauty

So while I lived in Hawaii there was something about going underwater that fascinated me. Which is really strange because my father is deathly afraid of going underwater. He will put his head under 1 inch and freak out.

I started freediving at Waimea Bay and Sharks Cove on the North Shore of Oahu almost everyday. I would wake up early, grab my diving gear and my camera and go.
It was like a meditation for me. The healing power of the ocean for not only your body but your mind is amazing. If I was ever stressed I could hop in the ocean and all my worries would sink to the bottom of the ocean.
With all of the practicing and holding my breath while watching TV I managed to get down to 80 feet on a single breath.
here is a photo that I captured at about 60 feet.
Its called "Escaping Breath"
To purchase prints of my photographs please visit my Artfire store

July Challenge Photos

I have been so wrapped up in a ton of stuff I can not believe I completely forgot to post the entries for the July Challenge. I apologize to all my Guildmates and here are the photos for July.

From BuddsPhoto

And here is one from InletImages






















Next is AliciaMae














And last is one mine from Nightmaiden

August Challenge

I really wanted to come on here and have a really awesome challenge idea for you guys. However, the August challenge will be done a little different.

This challenge's theme... Spur of the Moment.

I chose this theme for a reason. I really honestly haven't given the idea of a challenge theme much thought. I have been so wrapped up in getting things made and ready for the 48forLarry radiothon and silent auction. For those of you that do not know what this is...

A great friend and fellow artisan, Larry Hamm, is in need. He needs a $17,000 surgery or he will only have 18 months to live. He has a wife and an 8 year old son. You can read the whole story and see for yourself what we all are doing to help save the life of a man so he can be around to watch his son grow up.

http://huckleberryarts.blogspot.com/2009/07/you-are-father-and-you-are-going-to-die.html

http://huckleberryarts.blogspot.com/2009/07/sons-story.html

You can watch a video about the situation here:

http://huckleberryarts.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-video.html

Wanna see the auction items and listen to some great indie music while you bid:
http://blockheadradiolive.com/48forlarry

Bidding goes until 6pm eastern time Sunday July 26th.


Now, you ask why I have these link up and why does it pertain to the challenge...

A ton of artisans, myself included, have come together to donate items or cash or both to help save this mans life. We pulled together on the spur of the moment to make this whole thing work. A man's life is more important than a few dollars and especially when it comes to Larry.

So, it doesn't matter what you photograph just that you take it on the fly, spur of the moment. And if I can ask that you just think or even send a prayer for Larry while you are doing this, it will reach him and will make a difference.

June Challenge Photos

Well, we had a great challenge set up for June. Our photographers were given the theme of motion or object in motion! We see it in our everyday lives and now here are some great photos that have captured the moving spirit...

I have to say that there are some great photos here and I can't wait to see what you guys come up with for the next challenge.

First up is a new member into our guild, PictureTheSeasons

























Next up is from BuddsPhoto




















Next is from TruisPhotography


















And last is mine, Nightmaiden

July Challenge

In the spirit of Summer and the new season, this Challenge should reflect that.

So, with the passing of the Summer Solstice, this Challenge will be Nature. How do you reflect the spirit of Nature within your photography?

May Challenge Entries

The Challenge for May was "Flowers" and I have to say, there are some amazing shots. I am so proud of all these pieces.


This shot came from FarnhamSoaps.artfire.com

























Next is from jennifersquires.artfire.com















Next up is from laruefashions.artfire.com























Next is from AliciaMae.artfire.com
















Next is from TruisPhotography.artfire.com















And last is my own submission from Nightmaiden.artfire.com

















I hope you enjoy these amazing flowers from our May Challenge and that you will come back and see what amazing stuff we have for you next time. Be sure to check out these shops as well, you might find something you like...