Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Out of Focus

While I was at BlogHer in The City (aka San Francisco), I joined the Photo Walk organized by The Shutter Sisters. I was still a little overwhelmed from the morning's session on Beautiful Blogging and I was starting to get a little tired from trekking back and forth to my sisters apartment looking for my phone. Although I made it in time to grab a lunch, the obsessively efficient banquet staff at the St. Francis had already pulled the sodas. I started to feel pretty woozy and was actually planning to pass out before Rod, the very attentive Banquet Captain ran to get me a couple of Sprites. I guzzled one down, which is usually all I need to stop the ground from moving. He sat with me and made sure that I was okay. I had to get to the lobby for the Photo Walk but was still a little light-headed so he walked me to the elevator. I still had a bag filled with swag and lenses, so I quickly dropped it off with the bellman, took my ticket, and then ran out the front of the hotel searching for my group. Luckily, it's not hard to spot a large group of women with big mama honker cameras around their necks. I ran across the street to start snapping along with them.

And that's when I realized my mistake.

I had completely forgotten to switch to my 28-135 and still had the 70-300. I had to rethink what it was that I wanted to capture (pun intended) in that walk. While I would normally have taken shots of the obvious elements right in front of me, I had to actually do some work to find interesting shots far away. I took pictures of bits and pieces of architecture. I got a shot of a gentleman taking one step at a time without burdening him with my presence. I found crazy little creatures in all kinds of nooks and crannies. I was a little bummed, though, that I would not get to take pictures of the pretty little flowers in a garden that we had come across.

But then I was saved!

At the top of the hill and to the left, we came upon Grace Cathedral. I found some lovely flowers in the planters surrounding the steps up to the church. I did my best to take shots of them with the camera in my hands. Unfortunately, the further back I stepped in order to get the flowers into focus, the further down I got on the steps. I was starting to get frustrated but then thought better of having a tantrum in front of my Shutter Sister heroes. I decided to put the camera on the planter and pull it back to where I thought my intended foliage might come into focus. The results were surprisingly pleasant.

I hope you'll agree... or not... whatever... I don't care... I like 'em!















See... way too close up...


More Pictures over at my Flickr photostream.

10 comments:

Lori said...

Like the pics...glad that you were able to still takes some pictures on your photo walk. Also, just wanted to comment on your previous post...that's pretty cool about playing the guitar...and being able to check off one of the things on your list..pretty cool!
I don't have an ounce of musical talent in my bones...wish I did. I can't sing worth a damn but I do anyways but only by myself or with my little people around.

KingdomWriter said...

Love the pic of the old man! Sounds like you had fun, and enjoyed the opportunity?

tracey clark said...

they are lovely images!!!

HWHL said...

Nice shots, Shug!

Unknown said...

As an expert (insert slight guffaw) I have to say they are beautiful. Sometimes it is "mistakes" like this that make for some beautiful memories.

Rowena said...

Those are great photos. And that is creativity.

BTW, I keep trying to subscribe to you via google reader, and it just doesn't work.

Rowena said...

Oh. Never mind. I got the google reader subscription finally.

Woo hoo!

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Sugar,
Very cool. I especially love that one of the old man going up the stairs. There seems like such a story to his countenance and posture. Kia ora.
Rangimarie,
Robb

Lu said...

How cool is that? You were able to get a different perspective from most of the shots I have seen. Nice job, Sugar!

Ann said...

Love the pic of the man going up the stairs - something so intimate about it.

I'm thinking about my 4th lens right now - totally ADDICTING.