This shot was taken with my Nikon D90 set to f/1.8 and 1/2500 of a second. The 50mm lens added to the depth of field and artistic composition. When I look at this shot, I think not only good ideas, but energy efficient ones.

Today I added a new lens to my arsenal. The Lensbaby Composer is a unique lens. With a fixed focal length of 50mm and fully manual focus, the Composer adds an option to bend your focus. A tunnel vision like blur appears around the focus when the lens is pulled. Interchangeable aperture rings are provided from 2.8 – 22. Extensions are also available such as wide angle adapters. With this added feature, the lens makes for an inexpensive fish eye lens.

Lensbaby has three types of lenses available, the Composer, Muse, and Control Freak. The Muse is the less expensive of the three priced around $150 (the same price of a regular 50mm). The Composer around $270 and Control Freak $350. Lensbaby provides several options for expansion and extension. Several different filters are options as well. Although the .42x extender adds to the convex feel, a fish eye adapter is another option. I would recommend the Composer or Control Freak for shooters who don’t want to keep bending the lens. For consistent shots, these two lenses have a locking option – this makes for a cool effect if your dSLR has video capabilities. As a whole, the Lensbaby Composer is a great addition to your bag if you are looking forward to artsy shots.

Yesterday my friends told me the weatherman called for several inched of snow in Norfolk, Va. I strongly disagreed. I couldnt recall the last time in actually snowed worth anything out here since the 90′s. As you can see from my #photo365 pic, I was wrong.

Something with a shallow depth of field and leading lines was the #Photo365War challenge for today. Look closely and you’ll see two sets of leading lines – the fence being the shallow depth of field.