35mm f/1.8

I got it! The 35mm f/1.8 lens, that is. So far, I love it! Remember my lens dilemma? It took me another two days to think about which I want to get. I wrote posts on photography forums asking for advice. Finally, I realized that I don't do much macro photography and if I were to get into it, I'd get a fancier macro lens.

It's a fast lens. By fast I meant the shutter speed, super awesome for low light photography (i.e. my kitchen). However, the lens takes a while to focus and since this is prime lens (no zoom option) I'd have to move around to get it autofocus. The lens hood that it came with is small, I'm not sure how this would work as sun flare reducer.

f/5.3, 1/30, ISO 1800

Lola's snout. 

f/2.5, 1/30, ISO 900, +0.3EV

Best sugar cookies I have ever made. At f/1.8, you can see the sugar granules.

f/1.8, 1/60, ISO 400

Lavender and cilantro seedling under grow light.

f/1.8, 1/1000, ISO 400

f/1.8, 1/1250, ISO 400

Instead of full-on autofocus function, this lens has M/A function (autofocus with manual override).
I need to figure out how to focus better, as the last couple pictures look like out of focus. Every picture always looks pretty on the small display screen on cameras, but its a different story once transferred onto the computer. Either way, wheeee I'm excited to use this lens outside, just in time for spring blossoms.

Carrot Walnut Cookies

Yesterday I made carrot walnut cookies for a bake sale. Since the bake sale is hosted by the Masters of Nutritional Science Program (yes, the program I am in), all bake goods have to be healthy and nutritious. I made carrot walnut cookies. There's carrots, banana, walnuts, raisins, oatmeal, whole wheat flour, and zero sugar. Healthy enough. The cookies taste more like granola bar than cookies, great for breakfast and post work-out treats.

Last week I switched the camera focus from auto to manual.
Why would anyone do that?
Well, sometimes my camera just doesn't focus on the things I want it to. Like the second row of cookies instead of the first, choosing your depth of field and fine tuning it. Also I get to choose the focal points in the images. However, I often do not realize that my pictures are blurry/ out-of-focus until I seem them on the computer screen. There are other situations when I find manual focus useful, such as in low light settings when my camera struggles to find a focal point. Try switching to manual for once, you would find yourself putting more thought into taking picture than you think. The pictures below were taken with manual focus, look like I need more practice.

The cast

f/4.8, 1/13, ISO 1600, +0.3EV

1. Process raisins, oatmeal, and walnuts

f/4.5, 1/13, ISO 1600

Meanwhile, mix ginger, cinnamon, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl.

2. Add shredded carrots, apple, and mashed banana to flour and raisins/oatmeal/walnut mixture. Mix it up!

f/4.5, 1/20, ISO 1600

3. Place the cookies tablespoonful on to baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350F.

f/4.5, 1/13, ISO 1600

4. Ta Da!

f/4.5, 1/15, ISO 1600

For complete recipe see Whole Foods Recipe

p.s. Adding 1/4 cup of brown sugar won't make these cookies "unhealthy"