ValerieMorrisonPhotography.com

My new favorite lens: Olympus 45 f 1.8

Valerie — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:45:44 +0000

I was debating on whether or not I should buy this lens since I already own the Olympus OM-50 f1.8 manual lens and it can be used with my EP-3 via an adapter. After seeing so many beautiful photo samples produced with this lens, I decided to buy it. The Oly OM-50 is just as capable, and I still plan to use it, but I do appreciate the auto focus on the Oly 45. This lens stays on my EP-3 80-90% of the time and I’m loving the results. Below are a few unedited samples taken with this lens. I am not much of a reviewer, but for an in-depth review of this lens, read this post written by Robin Wong.

Had a quick bite to eat at Panera Bread. I had a bear claw, my favorite.

I think this is the first tea bag I haven't used twice. I had to get a photo of it, breaking news.

These flowers look like impatiens, lovely nonetheless, I doubt they are. Photographed wide open.

Typical fall shot. I love the colors of the leaves and the bokeh. I'm sure the lens was stopped down a bit.

Magazine Day. A stack of magazines I've had for months that need to be read eventually. This was taken at night, available light, handheld and wide open.

Carnations. Decoration for the coffee table at home. The lens performs well in any lighting situation.

Central Park Zoo

Valerie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:35:05 +0000

Visited the Central Park Zoo last weekend for the first time. Often times when I visit the Zoo, I feel like I never get to see everything because of its size. That was not the case with the Central Park Zoo. It’s actually quite small for a zoo, only 6.5 acres, but I’m positive we saw everything.

Almost missed this beautiful snow leopard. It wasn't keeping up appearances the first time we stopped by, but on the way back it came out to make a poop then left. Nice.

Sealed with a kiss. I videotaped an interesting exchange between these two. Access to the video is on the side bar of this blog.

We're not speaking parrots. Seriously, their bird body language says they just had an argument and are not on speaking terms.

Billy the Kid at The Tisch Childrens Petting Zoo. I never feed the animals.

Daisy Lou. Stopped to take a photo of this Daisy and rest on the bench next to it.

One Foggy Morning

Valerie — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:52:04 +0000

A quick photo shoot one foggy morning before work.

i had a few minutes to take some photos last week before heading into work, not sure why i thought this would make a good photo. maybe it's because they were available and i needed something halfway decent to test my OM 50 f1.8 lens on my EP3.

this is the performing art center near my job. i believe they have theatrical events and concerts in the summer. to the left of the stage (our right) is the pond i usually visit when i take my walks.

i saw this beautiful and amazing spider web on my way to the pond last week. i'm not a fan of spiders, but had an opportunity to observe a one that was living in the crease of my car mirror and found myself mesmerized by its activity.

Day at the farm

Valerie — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:36:24 +0000

Visited the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morristown today. This was my first real outing the the EP3 and it performed beautifully. All images are straight out of camera and I used the Panasonic 20mm or the Olympus 40-150. I had to change lenses a few times and could have really used the Olympus 14-150mm. It’s time to start a 14-150 fund.

we washed clothes (towels) at the farm and hung them out to dry.

of course the texture of this knot caught my eye.

dried peas to be stored for later.

a water pump used for transporting water to wash dishes, clothes and bringing water to the animals.

sitting bull. pun intended.

lost sheep.

a bunch of piglets.

bonnie and clyde.

unknown flower, i thought it was pretty.

she was so sweet to give us a tour of the farm.

Street Photography

Valerie — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:47:00 +0000

of the three photos, this one is my favorite. cigarette guy was not supposed to be a part of the photo, but he walked in as i pressed the shutter

i had been watching this guy for a few minutes. when he got up to leave i shot him, but no one was hurt. his hair is interesting.

he sat down in front of my camera like he wanted his picture taken, so i did. doubt if he really saw me, but he positioned himself in front of my camera. i couldn't resist.

Out in the Garden

Valerie — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Spent part of the afternoon getting to know my new Olympus E-P3 along with the 14-42 kit lens. The kit lens is not the greatest inside, but outside it shines. Shots were taken with either the Olympus m.14-42 or m.40-150 lens. Below are straight out of camera photos from the E-P3.

Hot Peppers, my favorite. I love everything hot and spicy.

Tomatoes; not a fan.

Yummy bell peppers. Next to onions, I can eat these chopped in everything.

I believe this is a Rose of Sharon. I'm probably wrong.

Flower box of impatiens on the deck.

Fenced In – I believe this is a Rose of Sharon as well.

Copyright Protection?

Valerie — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:17:40 +0000

A woman on a fitness site I belong to posted a question in the forum asking how she could keep people from viewing her photos. Someone responded, “Stop uploading them.” It wasn’t me, but I gave the same answer after reading the question.

Whenever we upload anything on the Internet, upload to Flickr or any photo sharing site, publish or comment on a blog post, tweet or update our Facebook status there’s always a possibility that what we think we say in private (or uploaded under copyright protection) under an assumed name has a chance of being made public or stolen. Fact.

I am especially careful, but I do enjoy sharing my photos on the web. I don’t believe there is anything one can do to prevent their photos from being stolen, re-posted, used or redistributed once uploaded on the Internet.

Some people use watermarks, copyright symbols, and online services such as TinEye.com. I use a watermark, not because I think it will prevent people from unauthorized use of my photographs, but as advertising. Truth is, I don’t care if people use my work for non-commercial use. I’m flattered if something I photographed caught their eye and complements their blog post.

I do, however, mind when people do not give credit to the source of the photo. I have been guilty of not always linking a photo with the proper attribution, but I hope I at least had sense enough to publicly acknowledge the photo was not of my origination. It’s not a practice.

Most people are not using photos belonging to others for profit, and may feel it’s no big deal to swipe, use, and re-post it on a blog. That’s not the point. The point is we are using something that belongs to someone else, the least we could do is ask, if not give them credit.

Of the people who have contacted me via email and have asked to use my photo(s), I have never said no and in some cases have even emailed original files. I do ask that I be given credit as the photographer, my name doesn’t have to be in lights, but I do like seeing it in print, as well a link to how the photo was used.

I’m no pillar of truth or without fault but I do try to treat people the way I would want to be treated. I wouldn’t walk into someone’s home and use or take something without asking first. It only takes a minute and I’ve never been told no.

There’s nothing new under the sun and are no original ideas; but what’s the hang up with acknowledging someone’s work or idea if it inspired you to photograph or write something?

I’ve always felt like my blog(s) or anything I publish on is an extension of my home. Not too many people are allowed to enter and just start taking stuff without asking, not for long anyway.

Hyundai Sonata

Valerie — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:33:35 +0000

A few weeks ago, I saw a photograph of the inside of a car in black and white and thought it looked interesting; I decided to give it a try. I can’t say too much effort went into this shot, but I like the angle and the results. What do you think?

Never leave home without it

Valerie — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:58:08 +0000

Nope, I’m not talking about my American Express card, I don’t even have an American Express card, I’m talking about a camera. 99% of the time, when I leave home, I have at least one camera on my person.

Normally I travel with my all purpose compact Canon G12, other times I like having my ancient, but trusty, Olympus E1 by my side.

However, two weekends ago I forced myself to leave only with my Olympus 35mm OM-n2 camera. It wasn’t easy and there were times I wanted to grab a digital for instant gratification purposes, but I stuck with my film only weekend.

Why do I shoot film when digital is, or can be, less expensive? Simply put: I enjoy it. And for less than $100 to purchase, I can experience what it’s like to shoot a full frame 35mm camera without having to spend thousands of dollars for a digital full frame camera.

My older manual Olympus lenses also work with my Olympus digital cameras, but not vice versa, so it’s nice to be able to switch an affordable older lenses with camera bodies on occasion.

I can’t afford to shoot off rolls and rolls of film the way I can continuously take pictures with my digital cameras. Every shot has to be thought out or composed, settings need to be checked (sometimes I forget to do), lighting has to be considered, before I can fire the shutter. It takes more time and thought, but it can be well worth the efforts when I see the results.