I went on a little adventure today. But really, the adventure started back in November, when I participated in a Kickstarter campaign that ended up meeting (and overshooting) it's goal. I bought myself a brand spankin' new lens called a Petzval, and today I took it out for a little test drive.
Now you must understand, I'm not a techie kind of person. I like nice pictures and movies that look good, and my lamentations usually involve the absence of a tripod, rather than some technical issue that is so esoteric you practically have to have a PhD from MIT to understand what you're talking about. I never worry about what camera people are using to shoot their movies, or if they're shooting digital or film, or whatever. I just like things to look nice. But this lens, I had to have. So I took the plunge, waited 6 months, and now here it is.
Now you must understand, I'm not a techie kind of person. I like nice pictures and movies that look good, and my lamentations usually involve the absence of a tripod, rather than some technical issue that is so esoteric you practically have to have a PhD from MIT to understand what you're talking about. I never worry about what camera people are using to shoot their movies, or if they're shooting digital or film, or whatever. I just like things to look nice. But this lens, I had to have. So I took the plunge, waited 6 months, and now here it is.
So today I thought I would take it out and see what it can do, and I'm sharing some of the photos I like best here with you, so you can see what this lens can do. Yes, it's somewhat limited, because it has a very specific purpose. It is only the second lens I have, as the first lens I have pretty much does everything from wide angle to telephoto. And I'm not a professional photographer, so my need for lenses is somewhat limited. But this lens produces such beautiful and lyrical images, that I feel I have a use for it. Maybe I could even make a movie with it. Or maybe just part of a movie. Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure I can find some lovely things to photograph along the way, and if not, I still have a beautiful brass lens. And if you think you need one too, you can always get one from Lomography for your very own.
Below are the photos I took, in about a twenty minute time span this morning at the rose and succulent gardens at Balboa Park. If you're wondering why so many of them have stars in the background, it's because I experimented mostly with an aperture plate that had a star cutout in it. I plan to experiment with some of the others, but for the sake of time, I mostly stuck with the star because it's the most pronounced shape, so I know when I'm really getting the effect. It's kind of magical and weird, and even unpredictable. Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the photos, or what else you think I should try taking some pictures of next time I go out and test the lens. Maybe a test somewhere in Los Angeles should be in the works.
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