New Lens Love!

On Friday night during my daughter's softball game, my zoom lens decided it didn't want to auto focus anymore - not a good thing!

It was my cheapy Sigma that came with my film camera package several years ago and it's gotten much, much use. One of the photographers I knew made a comment last year that "I can't believe you get such great photos with a crappy lens!" Well, that was the only one I had, so I had to make it work.

Right now my dream lens isn't in the budget. With a price tag of $2,500 I don't know if it will ever be in the budget, and I don't know if I would even want to spend that money. But let me tell you if I ever win the lottery, I will be shopping my way through Unique Photo!

So with traveling softball just starting and football season looming, I had to decide. I was looking at the new Tamron 18-250 or the Canon 70-200 f/4L. If you are a photographer, you know which one I picked. If you are not a photographer, I will tell you that "L" lenses are the way to go.

So here are some of the first photos with the new lens, straight out of camera (was too lazy to open photoshop today).

Brothers & Cousins

One of my niece's recently had a new baby, so I just had to go see him; and of course, bring the camera along. While I was there I got to meet his almost two year old brother (who was born when they lived in Florida, but recently moved back to NJ). Their cousin was there too, but I already knew him, and he is going to be two this month.

The lighting and two year olds proved to be a challenge! But I did manage to get a few of them. We are going to try it again when both moms are around and I have my daughter to help corral them and we can play outside.

Cousins

Olympic Day

Last Friday was Olympic Day at my daughter's school. In her opening speech the principal said that Olympic Day has been in existence for 20 years. We've been in the school for 17 years and have seen 15 Olympic Days (2 between the time girlie went to Kindergarten and boy left 5th grade). Long time!

The weather this year was beautiful and sunny - a little hot - but they cooled off by running through the sprinkler or getting sprayed by the hose. Being in third grade there were all new events for them to participate in; K-2 has different events. I think their favorites were the tug of war; especially when they tried it girls v. boys and the girls won (moms are girls - aren't they?!) and a version of musical chairs played with hula hoops.

Back In Action

Summer wrestling has started - yea! Saturday was the Jefferson Tournament and our Morris Knolls wrestlers had a great showing - four 1st place finishers and two 2nd place finishers.

This year's "Road to Dorney Park" is much easier than in the past, and they are only required to do two summer tournaments. This makes life much easier for the McKowen family since my daughter made the traveling softball team and it's a full schedule in June and July.

Here are some of my favorites from Saturday's tournament.

Sisters

Two weeks ago at a softball game, I took some quick snaps of J, L & K. I had them printed out for their mom and asked if it would be ok to use the images - she okayed them. So here are the beautiful sisters.

Look At Me

Last week my daughter had her third grade recorder concert. This was a quick "look at me" shot on the way into school.

6 May - Bokeh