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 my adventures with my Olympus mirrorless camera. On a solitary walk, my first interchangeable lens, the Olympus M. Zuiko 12-50mm F/3.5-6.3mm kit zoom lens with a dedicated macro button, welcomed a sparse and early snow.

A deserted park in Suffern, NY, revealed quietude and barrenness. The sun was struggling to break through. Broken branches lay scattered about. Winter’s solemn face was evident.

Yet all was not gloomy. The first dusting of snow in the morning freeze resembled sprinkled sugar, with the crystals sparkling on fallen umber leaves. Lichens with glistening coatings on tree bark resembled a leafy plant in explosive eruption.

The versatility of this lens served me well for both the wide coverage of the single snow-dusted bench in its park setting as well as the macro close-up of snow crystals. Like the camera, the lens is weather sealed and so appropriate for a day when snow may come swirling unexpectedly. Remembering your first interchangeable lens is sentimental. Using it under these conditions is practical.

All images were shot with the Olympus E-M5 and the Olympus M. Zuiko 12-50mm F/3.5-6.3mm lens. The leaf, at 43mm with an exposure of 1/400 sec at f/6 and ISO640; the lichen at 43mm, with an exposure of1/320 at f/6 and ISO640, +2/3EV; the bench at 19mm, with an exposure of 1/400 at f/3.5 and ISO 400, +1/3EV.

Mildred’s book Haiku and Images is available on Amazon and is filled wit h beautifully reproduced color photographs along with original haiku underneath, embellishing the image and deepening its meaning. Pick up a copy to give as gift for yourself or a friend.