hill country - PhotoTrice

Among the Trees

My year long project to photograph using only a Sony A7II body and legacy lenses is nearing completion. I plan to do a full postmortem of the project later this year. In the meantime some things have become clear. Most importantly I have discovered that using manual focus lenses is an advantage in almost all situations except for fast action shooting. Going into the project I expected that manual focus would be a limitation. It is not a limitation at least for me. Slowing down and thinking before shooting has improved my photography. I see no reason to go back to using auto focus lenses any time soon.

Another interesting thing I’ve discovered is a preference for using shorter focal length lenses. In the past I relied upon zoom lenses and often used long focal lengths of 200-300mm simply to frame shots without moving. That is a bad habit. Now I find myself using a 35mm prime lens for almost all my photography. Long lenses do have a place but they should not be a crutch for sloppy technique.

This photograph was shot a few days ago using a forty plus year old Super Takumar 35mm m42 mount lens. It has proved to be my absolute favorite lens for the project.

Sunlight

Cypress Trees, Medina River - Central Texas Hill Country — Cypress Trees, Medina River – Central Texas Hill Country

Spring generally comes early in the Central Texas Hill Country. This year is no exception to that rule. It has been a marvelous winter season with lots of rain. Texas is poised on the edge of a spectacular wildflower bloom starting about now along the coast and progressing northward for the next couple of months.

The Hill country is just at the point of transition into spring. Cypress trees along the Medina River are not yet covered with new growth. They are still elegant silhouettes lining the banks of the river. It was eighty four degrees here yesterday and the locals were picnicking and swimming with the giant trees overhead.

After years of severe drought we can all rejoice in a gentle abundant Spring season.

Seeing Red

This time of year I wake up on Saturday thinking about who will make Q3 and how the start will go on Sunday. It is a ritual that I have kept since the day I watched Senna driving a wet track on slicks and passing everyone. Unfortunately not in a Ferrari.

There are many brilliant drivers in the history of F1 but two are at the top of my list. Two very different drivers, Mansell and Senna. Mansell seemed to approach every start with the attitude that he would not be denied the win. He was a perpetual underdog in his own eyes. That made him unpredictable in the paddock and on the track. When he was on the grid you could sense his single minded determination above all else.

Senna was also a passionate man with consummate skills. He was magic. He didn’t just drive a car they bonded to become a single entity. That last race at Imola is still fresh in my mind. Drivers walked away from crashes like that. Not this time. He deserved a better fate.

This year a new formula, new opportunities and an open championship. Could be a good year. Best wishes to all the greats, near greats and journeyman who ply their trade in F1.