The day of the shoot couldn’t have been more perfect as we woke up to a snowy ground covering. Upon arrival I was able to meet the Interior Designer behind the King Residence, Sarah Bohleber, of Gift Gourmet & Interiors, Knoxville, TN. It’s always a pleasure to meet with designers & hear how they actualize the client’s vision. This was certainly the case for the King family; Liz said of Sarah, “we just clicked!”

I think you’ll love seeing the in’s & out’s of the King Residence… check out this beautiful home! And I think you’ll clearly see why At Home TN chose this home for their feature story.

Here’s a description of the book:
“Israel: a photographic journey is a collection of photographs taken from several trips to the ancient land of Israel. Many of the pictures have a biblical theme, yet others are more modern and descriptive of the land today. If you have never seen how beautiful the land of Israel is or have always wanted to visit, yet haven’t gathered the funds, consider Israel: a photographic journey. It will illuminate your perspective on that tiny stretch of land that has the entire world’s attention.”

Click here to view/order a copy from the publisher’s bookstore. 
And a few snapshots from the contents of the book:

A portion of the proceeds are reinvested into an account that provides support for those who are seeking to do university campus ministry & foreign missions/aids work. So far, we’ve been able to provide full financial support for 3 students doing work abroad.If you’re looking for a coffee table book rich in historical/spiritual meaning, check out Israel: A Photographic Journey. Buy a book = help support good things. In case you missed the link, it is: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/245716

Well, it wasn’t just me. My good friend, Jason Wallis, was in the studio as well. Jason is a writer, illustrator, communicator, Student Pastor & self-proclaimed Comic book Fanboy. I’ve known Jason since middle-school & his knack for creativity, coupled with artistry, has always been apparent. Plus, he’s crazy funny!

Friday afternoon Jason & I met up with Katie to be interviewed on the topic, “Risk Taking Entrepreneurs.” When Katie first contacted me I had to warn her that it could get out of hand. Ben + Jason = ridiculous. However, we did manage to keep it somewhat together & successfully complete the interview. For those who were unable to listen, I was eager to make it available, click here for the recording.

Thanks Katie for the opportunity! I had a great time.

For the attendees & those who were unable to make it, I promised to provide you a link to download the presentation slides. Click here to access slides.

{Special thanks to Braska Jennea Photography for taking the photo above… great shot friend!}

On a separate note, my good friend & photog side-kick, Alan Brock, happens to be the proud owner & Dentist extraordinaire of Brock Dental. A few short years ago after returning to the Motherland (East TN) from the nether-regions of Memphis, TN, Alan purchased a dental practice. Earlier this year he knew it was time for a fresh, updated look… a brand. So, we discussed the scope of the project, said “hasta la vista” to the old, & have been rolling out the new identity for the Brock Dental crew. We have so much more in store (e.g. website, signage, decor, print collateral, etc.), but here’s a peek at the new style. I so dig it! So much so that I sport my Brock Dental shirt around town often.

What do you think?!

This year’s Arts Guide for the Athens Area Council for the Arts demanded something entirely different & unique. For last year’s guide I went for bold, colorful & eclectic design… it was a smashing hit & resulted in two AAF Addy Awards… holla! The pressure this year seemed intense as I was expected to surpass last year’s design. This year my concept was a huge departure from last year. I chose 3 main colors that repeat throughout the brochure & on occasions brought in a 3rd color. Plus, I decided to stick with black & white photos/images to keep things consistent. As I received my first copy on Saturday I was thrilled with the outcome. Cheers to the completion of one of my favorite annual design projects! Let me know what you think.

If you have yet to attend an Arts Center performance, you are missing out on some serious fun times with great people. I’ll see you there!

What are your top 3 favorite musical artists?
Alan: 1. U2: this is self-explanatory as they are the greatest band in the history of the world. 2. Flight of the Conchords: hands down, the best folk parody band I’ve ever heard. 3. Justin Beiber: is it weird that a 29 year old male is a fan of The Beiber? Yes it is, but I’m taking classes to hopefully cure this.

Jenn: 1. Dixie Chicks: even though they have questionable ways of sharing their opinion, their music is fantastic! 2. Matthew West: his songs reach me in the darkest and brightest times, leading me to worship my God in any situation. 3. Jeremy Camp: I first saw/heard Jeremy when I was in college..my friends “dragged” me (I was in a rough spot during this time, and they were trying to help me get out of it) to here this unknown artist in a small coffee shop.  After hearing his testimony and songs written from those experiences, I was hooked!

Top 2 movies of all time…
Alan: 1. Braveheart: although Mel Gibson has now gone off the deep end, his “They can never take our freedom” speech gives me chills every time!  Also, I’m a fan of bagpipes. 2. Forrest Gump: When Forrest is talking to Jenny’s grave, if this doesn’t make you tear up, then I suspect you may be a robot.

Jenn: 1. 8 Seconds: This movie has been a favorite since my “cowboy boot, wrangler-wearing” cowgirl days.  Those days are long gone, but this movie still remains a favorite. 2. The Lion King: who doesn’t love singing along to “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”???

I Like…
Alan: flying, the color blue, Canon, my steaks cooked medium, a flat lake and a slalom ski, novelty t-shirts, YouTube, Yorkshire Terriers, PC’s (Edit: Alan has since seen the light and switched to Apple!), Modern Family, naps, Tom Clancy novels, golf.

Jenn: Any time spent with God, Hot Chocolate, McDreamy, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes, Thirty-One products, time with friends, traveling, spring cleaning, snow skiing, wakeboarding, teaching, jewel-tone colors, TLC and Lifetime channels, camping, fresh sheets, late nights, mongolian food, flip-flops, organizing, dancing, time on the lake, trying anything once, and all electronics.

I Don’t Like…
Alan: waking up early, turning 30, green beans, people who take advantage of others, driving slowly in the left lane, soccer, bees, the last season of 24, taking Board Exams, golf

Jenn: mornings, mice, tomatos/onions, snakes, ESPN, laundry, coconut, high-heels, reruns, stress, and fantasy football!

Jenn’s Personality is…
Alan: impossible to describe in one word.  She is patient, always faithful in God’s timing.  She is resilient and strong.  She is fun, always being a great counter to my dry sense of humor.  Last, she is loving and unfailingly loyal to God, me, her friends, and of course our dogs!

Alan’s Personality is…
Jenn: he’s kind-hearted to everyone, loves to be around people, has a deep love for Christ, is my voice of reason (always reminding me to think before I speak), loves anything that requires competition, has a desire to constantly grow by way of new hobbies, prefers home-cooked meals to eating-out, has a quirky sense of humor, loves me the way that God asks a husband to love his wife.  He makes me want to be a better person.

My Approach to Photography is…
Alan: “Let’s have some fun today!”  I have developed such a deep passion for photography that it spills over, and I want to share it with others!  As a photographer, I love soaking up every bit of information I can get about all different types of photography and helping others out along the way.  When shooting, we try to create a fun, relaxed environment, and we strive to capture the moments that describe our clients.  However, most importantly, we want everyone to have fun with it all!

Jenn: My favorite thing about photography isn’t the actual moment of photographing, but it happens right after. It’s when you go to view the pictures and see the moment of time that you caught forever.  It’s when you see the customers reaction, and hear the ooohhh’s and aaahhh’s while viewing their pictures.  It’s the times when you know you’ve made someone else happy just by being there to capture their special moments.  I strive to create a fun-loving, relaxed environment where real, authentic personalities can be captured forever.

I’m stoked to be able to offer Alan & Jenn’s services through BF Photo. I have utmost confidence in these two resulting from dozens of hours with the pair photographing at my side & facing the dozens of challenges that come along with photography. Whenever you see the “Alan & Jenn” signature on an image, you’ll know who was behind that fabulous photograph. Booking a session with Alan & Jenn, you’ll be assured the same incredible service, editing & colorwork, featured blog story, access to exclusive products & more. They are currently available for both weddings & lifestyle sessions. If you’ve considered BF Photo & want a more affordable entry cost, they are a great option. Feel free to contact me; you’ll love getting to know these two!

Check out the brochure & let me know what you think:

It used to be the case that I’d recommend investing most of your money into lenses & still, in some cases, I’d say the same. However with the advancement of camera body sensors, autofocus & more, you have to consider the body too. That stated, buy as nice of lenses as you can afford; it makes a big difference. Most of the questions I receive from other photographers has to do more with the lens & it’s capabilities than it does the camera body. And, depending on what you want the image to look like, often depends primarily upon the robustness of the lens.

Today I want to offer recommendations on a variety of fixed focal length lenses. Most, with the exception of just a few, I’ve used numerous times & feel confident recommending. All have limits to their abilities, however, there are a few that seem to do everything I ask them to. I don’t own all of these lenses but I will differentiate the ones that I do (*) & regularly use. As well, I’ll try to offer a less expensive alternative when possible. As a note, about 1.5 years ago I made a decision to shoot primarily fixed length (prime) lenses. I found myself desiring to grow as a photographer & was eager for the extra image clarity when shooting with fixed glass. Although it requires more effort, it’s worth the labor. As I often say, I zoom with my feet! It’s proved a tremendous decision. I’ll begin this 3-part series with Part 1: Fixed-focal length lenses, followed by Part 2: Zoom Lenses & Part 3: Specialty Lenses. Further, I’ll look to find the equivalent for those Nikon users out there.

Lenses Part 1: Fixed Focal Length Lenses

Canon 24mm f/1.4L II*
I love so much about this lens. It’s tremendously fast; probably the fastest focusing lens I own. And, it will allow you to photograph with almost two more stops of light than most zooms. Aside from the 35mm 1/4, it may be one of the most ideal photojournalism lenses. I use it often for photographing architecture & interiors, children & families when indoor & restricted by space, & wedding receptions. You’ll notice some slight distortion on the edges if you’re not careful but it is easily manageable for my preferences. If you’re a Nikon shooter, you’ll want to check out the Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED.

Description (from Canon USA): Professional wide-angle lens with an ultra-large maximum aperture of f/1.4. This is the first EF lens to employ both a replicated Aspherical lens element to suppress distortion and spherical aberration, and a UD lens element to correct lateral chromatic aberration. Thanks to the floating construction, excellent corner-to-corner delineation is attained from 10 in. (25 cm) to infinity.

A variety of pics I’ve taken with the 24mm f/1.4L II:

Canon 24mm f/2.8
A less expensive alternative. From Canon, the 24mm f/2.8 is a highly popular wide-angle lens featuring a large aperture. Good for casual snapshots as well as perspective shots. Floating rear focusing system corrects astigmatism and gives high contrast and sharp delineation. The Nikon equivalent is the Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D.

Canon 28mm f/1.8
I’ve found it appropriate to recommend this lens on several occasions. I prefer the build quality over the 24mm f/2.8 plus you get 2 extra stops of light… yes! And, it’s a little tighter than the 24mm, but not as much as the 35mm. If I were a beginner or amateur & could own three relatively inexpensive but robust lenses, it would include the 28mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4 & 85mm f/1.8. For the Nikon user, consider the Nikkor 28mm f/2.8.

From Canon, with the large maximum aperture, excellent background blur is possible with fast shutter speeds using the Canon 28mm f/1.8. The aspherical lens element makes the lens compact and corrects spherical aberrations. The image is sharp even at the edges.

Canon  35mm f/1.4
This is one desirable lens. As Henri Cartier Bresson stated, “The 35mm is THE CLASSIC Photojournalism lens.” The 35mm will likely be my next lens purchase. You could spend most of your career with this lens, coupled by the 50 f/1.2. I love the story-telling feel of this lens; I highly recommend it. In fact, if I had not bought the 24mm beforehand, I sometimes wonder if I would have ever purchased it. Nikon has an exceptional lens in their Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G.

Description (from Canon USA): L-series professional f/1.4 wide-angle lens with an Aspherical lens element to correct aberrations. The floating system enables high picture quality to be obtained over the entire focusing range. Autofocusing is quick and quiet with rear focusing and ring USM. Full-time manual focusing is also possible.

Canon 35mm f/2
A nice alternative to the Canon 35mm f/1.4. From Canon, this fast wide-angle lens with a minimum focusing distance of only 0.8′ allows you to approach the subject closer and still obtain a more natural wide-angle effect. Excellent background blur for portraits is obtainable. The Nikon equivalent is the Nikkor 35mm f/2D.

Canon 50mm f/1.2*
Let’s just say that I shoot with this lens 75% of the time; it’s my favorite. Until I recently purchased the 85mm f/1/2, the percentage would’ve been even higher. There are some things that I wish would improve with this lens, such as faster focusing & sharper images wide-open. However, when shooting at f/1.8 or f/2, it is somewhat unrivaled in color, clarity & bokeh (background blur). Plus, it fits my style nicely as it can convey an editorial/fashion feel. It is only limited by it’s focal length & therefore, I use it to shoot anything & everything.

Description (from Canon USA): The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a peerless new standard lens featuring an ultra-large aperture for a narrow depth of field and soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere. The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is suitable for any shooting situation; its lens coating and construction are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. This high-performance, weather-resistant lens delivers all the superb image resolution and contrast you expect in a Canon L Series Lens.

A few examples of images taken with the 50mm f/1.2:

Canon 50mm f/1.4
If all you had available was around $500 for a lens, without reservation, I’d point you here. It’s normally my first recommendation for beginners & amateurs alike. However, many professionals still keep it in the bag. This lens has most of the features of the 50mm f/1.2 yet at a fraction of the cost. It will look it’s best when shooting at around f/2, allowing you to shoot in less than ideal lighting environments. If you don’t have a 50mm, buy this now! From Canon, the 50mm f/1.4 is a standard lens featuring superb quality and portability. Two high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. Crisp images with little flare are obtained even at the maximum aperture. All Nikon shooters, check out the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G.

Canon 50mm f/1.8
If you only had around $150, this is your lens. Although the build quality seems rather cheap, you get much more than you pay for. Compared to other lenses, it’s light as a feather. From Canon, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens is a lightweight lens at a mere 4.6 oz (113.5 g). This compact and high-performance, standard lens features Gaussian optics that provide sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens. The Nikon equivalent is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D. Canon 85mm f/1.2*
I love this lens. It has quickly become a competitor to my 50mm f/1.2. This lens produces the highest quality images I’ve been able to achieve. It is certainly costly & a bit of an indulgence but it will produce stunning portraits of your children or family & wonderful professional headshots. I use it throughout wedding days, especially bridal portraits & low-light ceremonies. It effortlessly pulls your subject off it’s background creating the most wonderful bokeh you’ve ever witnessed.  I’m pretty sure I’d sell my car before parting with this bad-boy. Nikon has a really nice alternative in the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF.

Description (from Canon USA): Retaining the impressive optical performance and large aperture of the original EF 85mm f/1.2L USM, this new medium telephoto lens uses a Ring-type USM, high-speed CPU and optimized algorithms to achieve an autofocus speed approximately 1.8x faster than the original. The high-speed AF and circular aperture create a shallow depth-of-field that brings attention to the subject and blurs the background, which is ideal for portraits and weddings. The floating optical system, which includes an aspherical lens element, suppresses aberrations and ensures excellent imaging performance.

Stay tuned for examples of images taken with the 85mm f/1.2.

Canon 85mm f/1.8
If you’re a man or woman of practicality, this is your lens. An excellent alternative to the pricey 85mm f/1.2. Affordable, fast-focusing & strong build-quality are just a few of it’s strengths. From Canon, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens is a highly practical medium telephoto lens with superb delineation and portability. Images are sharp and clear at all apertures. Through computer simulations, the lens has been designed to give beautiful background blur. Since the front lens group does not rotate during focusing, special filter effects are not affected. Nikon makes the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D.

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro IS*
My goodness this lens is sharp! I was looking for a somewhat wide-aperture mid-telephoto lens, coupled with IS (Image Stabilization), when I ran across this lens. Plus, the Macro feature is hard to beat for ring shots, flowers, & the tiniest of details. When I began shooting it, I really couldn’t believe how sharp the images. Now, for most wedding ceremonies, you’ll find it in use. And, for the price, it’s quite affordable. To my knowledge, Nikon doesn’t manufacture a comparable lens.

Description (from Canon USA): Canon’s newest “L” series lens is its first mid-telephoto macro lens to include Canon’s sophisticated Image Stabilization. With the highest quality optics available, combined with near-silent Ultrasonic focusing and life-size close-up capabilities without an adapter, the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is simply unrivaled. The Nikon user should consider the Nikkor-Micro 105mm f/2.8 VR.

A few examples of images taken with the 100mm f/2.8 Macro IS:

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Since I own the IS version of this lens, I haven’t had a need for this lens, although I hear wonderful things about it. Many friends owned this lens before they came out with the IS version mentioned above. From Canon, the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens will focus over the full range from infinity down to life size (1:1 reproduction ratio). This lens will impress any serious photographer with its combination of versatility, image quality and superb handling. A high-performance ring type Ultrasonic Motor provides fast and silent AF throughout its focus range, and even more significantly, allows full-time manual focusing permitting the close-up or macro shooter to instantly override the AF whenever necessary. For the Nikon user, check out the Nikkor Micro 105mm f/2.8 VR or consider the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

Canon 135mm f/2
This is a really fantastic lens. I owned it for a season & now regret selling it, often day-dreaming about it while on shoots. It is certainly on queue to be purchased again in the near future. You can easily shoot at f/2 pretty much exclusively & it happens to be one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes. This is a lens that is optically stunning and it’s focus is much faster than the 85mm f/1.2. I miss it! Nikon makes an equivalent, Nikkor 135mm f/2D.

Description (from Canon USA): The fastest 135mm telephoto lens in its class. Ideal for indoor sports and portraits with background blur. Two UD-glass elements correct secondary spectrum for outstanding sharpness and color. Compatible with Extender EF 1.4x II, 1.4x III and 2x II.

Canon 200mm f/2L IS
Everyone has the right to dream don’t they!? If I could afford a luxury lens, this would be my jewel. Coupled with a low aperture of f/2 & Image Stabilization, gives plenty of reason to spend more cash on this lens than my first vehicle. It’s ideal for indoor sports, theater work, fashion, and candids at events. Just consider the wedding ceremony images this lens could capture… wow! Nikon is well matched with their Nikkor 200mm f/2 G ED VR II.

Description (from Canon USA): This ultra-fast telephoto, a new member of Canon legendary L-series lenses, has totally new optics to provide better image quality. It uses fluorite and UD lens elements for excellent chromatic aberration correction and consists of 17 elements in 12 groups. The built-in Optical Image Stabilizer gives it up to 4 stops of stabilization correction. The inner USM and optimized AF algorithms result in fast and quiet autofocusing, and the circular aperture can even produce beautiful out-of-focus images. This ultra-high-performance lens also improves its durability – better dust- and water-proofing. The EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is outstanding for many available-light applications, including indoor sports, theater work, fashion, and candids at events.

Canon 200mm f/2.8
Back to reality now, the 200mm f/2.8 is a nice length with a fairly wide aperture. For my style, I find any lens that isn’t a f/2.8 or wider is too dark. Because I consistently find myself in low-light situations, I don’t own anything except f/2.8 or faster. I may consider adding this lens on down the road due to it’s focal length, affordability, & somewhat wide-aperture. Nikon boasts their Nikkor 200mm f/2.8 D ED-IF.

Description (from Canon USA): The EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM employs Canon’s famous rear-focus telephoto optical design that delivers outstanding picture quality throughout its entire focusing range. Like its high-end siblings, this lens also uses two ultra-low dispersion glass elements to ensure maximum image sharpness and accurate color fidelity. Canon’s advanced ultrasonic focusing motor & rear focusing design give silent, high speed autofocusing. It is perfectly suited for Canon’s EOS system cameras, placing special emphasis on manual focusing capabilities.

Conclusion:
You may be asking, “Is 200mm as wide as you’re going?” As of right now, yes. Because I’m primarily a wedding, lifestyle & editorial photographer, I don’t usually find myself beyond these focal lengths. As you can see, there is no paucity in options. Lenses can be very expensive & in some cases, only worth the extra cash if you’ll have a return on the investment or can afford the nicer equipment. I’m a firm believer to buy the best lenses you can afford. If not, as you grow as a photographer you may find yourself frustrated with the limits of your lenses. When I started investing in fast, high-quality lenses, I was set free from many limits & only rarely find myself prohibited except by my imagination. In the near future I’ll share Part 2: Zoom Lenses. It will be particularly helpful for the majority of my readers who would rather invest in one or two all-purpose lenses. I’ll be glad to recommend my favorites! Stay tuned. Was this helpful? If so, let me know. Thanks!