First Dusting of Snow

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern “A spoonful of sugar Makes the wintry medicine go down“ (With apologies to Mary Poppins and both Sherman lyricists) Even with new prime and zoom lenses in my arsenal, it seemed only right to pay some attention to the Micro Four-third lens that began...

Choosing the Right Lens...

Today’s Post by Mark Toal Both Olympus ($1149) and Panasonic ($797.99) make 7-14mm wide-angle zoom lenses. The maximum aperture of the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm ASPH is f/4 and the Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 7-14mm PRO Lens is f/2.8. If you’re a wide-angle photographer like I am...

Bicycles and Art

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern Artistry of form In silvery tensile spokes Wheel of adventure Bicycles have intricate sculptural shapes with the wheels, spokes, and angled handlebars in familiar arrangement. The problem is that surroundings often distract enjoyment of their geometric...

Cemeteries in the Rain

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern Cemeteries are sober places and on rainy days, the raindrops add a sense of sorrow. They are quiet places separated from the daily bustle and activity of life. There is placid beauty In this setting where tablets and gravestones in serried rows commemorate...

The Last Hurrah

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern Summer garden blooms Now in senescent throe Sigh their last hurrah Photo opportunities are to be found where you may least expect them. With the approach of winter, visitors tend to ignore the hidden gems in the famous 91st Street Garden on the promenade...

Prime Time for Lenses

Today’s Post by Mark Toal A prime lens is a photographic lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens. I’ve always liked the idea of a fixed focal length lens but I’m just lazy and love being able to stay in one place and have the lens do all the work. I love zoom lenses...