Gear Review: Lensbaby Sol 22 / 45

fter taking more than 2000 photographs with the Lensbaby Sol 22, I’m sure of four things: 1) the fun factor is well worth the US$199.95 list price; 2) its compact size and light weight make it easy to carry on any photography outing; 3) not all subject matter lends itself to the Lensbaby look; and 4) the combination of manual focus, tilt shift and bokeh blades means more practice is required before I can be confident that photos taken with this lens will consistently match what I envision before pressing the shutter button.

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Blogging / Photography

Photo Blogging Challenge – Books (January 2019)

So many books, not enough time! Seriously…I’ve done the math! Factoring in how many years I have left before reaching the end of the average lifespan of a female Canadian and the number of books I read each year, I can expect to read roughly 2,000 more books in my lifetime. In other words, every…

Photography

Photo Blogging Challenge – Feliz Navidad (December 2018)

Over the past twenty years or so, our Christmas celebrations have shifted away from presents towards presence. This year our celebrations included preparing and enjoying several meals with extended family and friends, movie and board game nights with our young adult sons, and plenty of nature walks for the two of us! It was a Merry Christmas, indeed!

Lego

2018 Lego Holiday Bonus Christmas Gift

The Lego Christmas Gift bonus set is one several “gift with purchase” offers available from Lego’s online store in the run up to Christmas 2018. Once the lid is removed, the gift box opens on sturdy hinges to reveal a detailed Christmas scene including Lego minifig adult and child.

Photography

Photo Blogging Challenge – Nom Nom Nom (November 2018)

What happens when someone who’s not a foodie is challenged to post 5 photos on the theme nom nom nom? A feast for all five senses!!

Photo Blogging Challenge – Oh the Places You’ve Been (October 2018)

As soon as I learned this month’s photo blogging challenge theme was “Oh the Places You’ve Been”, I thought of the children’s book “The Places You’ll Go”. Since everywhere we went this month was pretty close to home, what better way to liven things up than with a tip of the hat to Dr. Seuss…

Beakerhead 2018

After five years on the volunteer photo crew, I continue to be inspired, delighted and challenged by the 5-day mash up of arts and science that is Beakerhead! Five things stand out about my 2018 experience.

Photo Blogging Challenge – Colourful (September 2018)

Street photographers would respond to this month’s theme with portraits of fascinating people. For nature/landscape photographers, the transition of summer to fall is rich with everything from flowers, to autumn leaves and blue skies. Add five days of Beakerhead to the mix for a wide range of colourful subjects.

Photo Blogging Challenge – Macros (August 2018)

After completing an online course on macro photography, this month’s “photographer’s choice” theme was a great opportunity for some purposeful practice, including water droplet refraction, insect and oil/water abstract macros.

Hiking Banff National Park – Helen Lake

The Helen Lake trail is an awesome wildflower season hike. With a relatively modest elevation gain of just under 600 meters from trailhead to lake shore, a long stretch of trail also offers expansive views of Dolomite Peak and several unnamed ridges, peaks and three glaciers. Upon reaching the scenic highlight that is Helen Lake, there are a few options to extend the day, including hiking to the Cirque Peak or a nice ridge walk above the lake.

Out and About with the GeoKs

Hiking, biking and other adventures (mostly) in the Canadian Rockies