A while back I attended a photography class at Haven.
It’s where I first met Layla….definitely my finest embarrassing moment.
At the class they talked about aperture and focal points and the rule of threes and about a million and one other things to take amazing pictures. I don’t really remember much about anything else because I got distracted trying to figure out the wall treatment in the room and redesigning it in my mind for the upstairs room.
Focus….KariAnne….focus.
But the one thing that stuck with me.
The one thing I remembered…..
…..was this amazing camera lens they talked about.
I didn’t hesitate for a second.
I came home and promptly ordered the 50 mm lens.
I have a Canon so I ordered the Canon EF 50mm with a f/1.8 lens.
A week later the lens arrived in the mail.
I jumped up and down and told myself…watch out world for the amazing photography that was about to be….
….and then promptly forgot all about it.
Until today.
This was supposed to be a post about the finish on these tables.
And I’ll get to the chippy finish and how I created it with craft paint and the story about how I used to co-own a faux finish studio.
There’s time enough for that next week.
Because today when I took out the camera to take pictures of the finish….I found the much touted, but so forgotten about 50 mm lens in the bottom of the camera bag. And I took it out and put it on the camera and headed out into the back field to take pictures of three random tables stacked up with tool boxes and random pieces of fall leaves from the yard….
….and totally discovered two things.
1. I’ve been reading too many fall decorating magazines and 2. THIS LENS IS AMAZING.
I mean….can you see it?
See all that bokeh at the bottom of the picture? (total aside: if you are still learning to speak photography…bokeh is all that fuzzy out of focus stuff that makes your heart beat faster).
I didn’t create that.
The lens did it.
I KNOW….right?
Let’s be all about that bokeh together.
Here’s another picture and there it goes again.
All bokeh…all the time.
Because the lens has such a shallow depth of field….it gives you the ability to bring one part of your composition into focus and blur out the rest.
Just like all the fancy photographers do.
Especially the ones in the fall decorating magazines.
The lens is inexpensive, easy-to-use, creates fancy photos and totally rocked my world today.
But the one thing the lens didn’t do?
It didn’t create the finish on those tables…..
…..those are for us to paint next week. 🙂
You’re welcome rockstar. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used on this post.
I use an 18-55mm lens, which I thought was great but I'm suddenly feeling the need to rush off to the nearest camera shop... and estate agents - I totally need a new home with a field! Your photos and the colours in these shots are beautiful, KariAnne.
WOW, those are amazing pictures for sure! We have a Canon, so I just showed hubby how you're dazzeling the world with your new toy... Gave me a chance to get all geeky with him and even tossed out bokeh a couple times....just to seal the geeky deal. Nice!!
That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
Thanks for the insight. I've heard about this lens before but didn't know why it was so special. Now I do. Must do some investigating of my own. Congratulations on the Etsy shop. I did the same this week. Took a while to bet my head around all the in and outs, but I opened my shop this week too. Exciting. https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/LibbysLifestyle
I have been researching lenses to take better Etsy shots! Thank you! Thank you!
Your pictures are amazing!! You know that there has to be a photographer behind the camera to make it work. Now bokeh is fantastic but I can go one better -- I can make the whole picture out of focus :-) what's that called???Perhaps when I grow up to be a good photographer and my blog grows I can get a bigger camera with changeable lens capacity and a super duper 50mm lens. Pssst - I want to whisper something -- I ordered the rock star t-shirt yesterday. I think I'll wear it while I'm sitting at the computer writing. Gee! I should have ordered several :-( Your photos ROCK!! Big Hugs!
Lovely photographs! While the 50mm lens is a great tool, it's the person holding the camera with the great "eye" that makes the picture. Awesome job!
Love me some bokeh!! And those tables -- not just the finish but their shapes too -- are amazing! xo heidi
I just love and so relate to the part about being in the camera class, and getting so distracted by the paint finish......i do that all the time. So nice to know we are not alone......
With twin grandchildren (boy & girl, almost 5) and one due in 3 weeks, I guess I will be ordering a new lens for my Canon. Thanks for the tip and thanks for your blog!
KariAnne. You continue to stretch and grow in your talents and confidence. Good job! The pictures are beautiful; so full of depth, color, and cause one to get lost reflecting upon fall, cool days, and the enjoyment of the outdoors. Totally aside (as you say), do you have plams to attend any shows or markets setting up a booth anywhere in KY or TN? Would love to attend such a sale if you do. Blessings!
Loving the look of those pics! I usually try to achieve that with Instagram or pic monkey, but this would make it so much easier! Just wondering what type of Canon camera you use? I have experimented with many kinds but never found one that produces the quality of photos I am looking for, so I end up resorting to my iPhone!
Gorgeous pictures...the subject matter is perfect, but the others are right...the person behind the camera makes all the difference! I'm also taking a photography class, but online and learning all the manual settings and what they do is mind boggling! I'm very low-tech! Recently put that same lens on my Rebel and I'm curious if you used manual settings to take these or auto? Thanks for your inspiration...always enjoy your posts!!
Love it! In our house I shoot a Nikon D3100 and our son shoots a Canon 6D. Our son has an adapter for his camera that allows him to interchange the lenses from my Nikon. My Nikkor 50mm was always coming up missing..so now he has his own! (Canon 50 mm 1.8) LOL! It is an awesome lens and a must have in your bag! The best part is…you don't have to break the bank to buy one! Just love your posts..and those tables are awesome. Can't wait to hear how you created the finish!
I have a Nikon D3200, could you tell me what what Nikon 50 mm you have? Or what lens should I get for my carmera? Thank you, Paige duree26@yahoo.com
I'm always learning from you. Not that I can pronounce Bokeh, but I want it. So I googled and went on amazon and ebay and while I was looking I came across this bokeh wizard kit of filters and thought Wow! KariAnne needs to see these (picturing your beautiful girls in rainbows of hearts) because she is someone who is colorful enough to use them. Me, they'd sit in the drawer and I've vowed to no longer buy things that will sit in the drawer. The lens however, must have! Thanks for my word of the day...bokeh. Here is the ebay link to them https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bokeh-Wizard-Kit-28-pcs-Bokeh-Discs-for-Canon-EF-50mm-f-1-8-lenses-/261621047711?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item3ce9d4619f
Now I want that lens! Love the shallow depth of field it allows. And I love your beautiful photos.
Love to learn photo tips! I am about to make the investment of a GOOD tripod...maybe a new lens is next. Sheila
I've wanted one of these for a very long time and now because of you...I'm getting it! Like you...I learned about this lens and then totally forgot.
Your photos are beautiful! You are so talented and I dont' think it's just the new lens. The colors in those fall leaves takes my breath away!
KariAnne, That is one of my favorite lenses ever, so inexpensive, yet it takes AMAZING pictures!! I love to use it to take portraits of my kiddos!! Love your fall pics! You are just an amazing blogger! You do need to put all your anecdotes into a book!! Xoxo
I LOVE my 50mm lens! I bought mine this year with some birthday money and it's been my go-to lens ever since!
I bought that lens when I got my DSLR and refused to use it or take the camera off automatic. SO STUPID! I don't go anywhere without it. Love it, lady!
I just bought this lens too and did the same thing and now I'm rediscovering it! Love!! Great pics!
I've heard great things about the 50mm lens from other bloggers and from a recent digital photography class I undertook, but your post sealed the deal. It's now added to my Christmas list! Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing!
Karianne, I've said it before and I'll say it again...and maybe some day I'll really do it...I need a new camera!!!. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful and I love the little tables too. Can't wait to see how you did it..Happy Halloween..Judy
Ahh! I love this lens. I got mine last year and am obsessed. (I wrote about it too!) https://www.acasarella.net/2014/01/photography-advice-from-photography.html :) Elena
Our son has a DSLR Canon. I think he may be getting that lens for Christmas! Thanks for sharing the information and for the demo!
Great shots! I need to get out and take some with my Nikon. I too have taken a photography class, but the focus was on a DSLR and I have a point & shoot that's 50mm as well. I'm a simple girl and don't need all those lenses to carry around. Hopefully, I'll be able to get out in D.C. during my lunch hour and take some beautiful Fall shots before the trees get naked. Love how God dresses them up so pretty!
Love, love the pictures. Also love this lens especially the apiture mode. Early last spring I took the jump and bought my first DSLR camera to take a photography class. The lens you've used here is what was recommended and I bought it. While I do love it, I really now need a basic zoom lens. I have trouble taking pictures inside with the fixed lens. While I learned a lot in my class, the instructor has moved and I can't ask questions. I do have a Cannon, could you please recommend a basic zoom lens? Thanks for the help.
Bokah. Girl you are just my favorite! The Other Marian