through the lens

A great image requires a delicate combination of many things – light, timing, subject matter, composition, equipment, and skill. As a photographer and writer, our tools and talents dictate the results seen by a world audience. Hiking through dense woods, swarmed by biting insects, we wait for the moment when the light begins to dance. Although there is no formula for producing a stunning image, Justin would say it comes down to good use of light, a compelling subject matter, a creative composition, and the right lens. Photography tells a story through a single image. Images are changing the way we see the world, and we choose to dedicate our practice to effective and creative storytelling.

During Phase II of our project, we were sponsored by a truly incredible company called LensProToGo. As a collection of photographers themselves, they rent and ship camera equipment across the country. While in Maine, they graciously supplied us with four different lenses, expanding our creative capacity to capture the raw and wild parts of nature. Working quickly and with ease, we want to thank LensProToGo for their help, and give a sneak peek into the lenses we choose and why.

Words from photographer Justin Lewis:

50mm F/1.2
Canon’s 50mm 1.2 is an impressive prime lens. While shooting this canoe on a lake in Northern Maine, I was able to shoot hand held well into dusk. The 50 is a great all around lens but its magic isn’t fully revealed until you open up the aperture. When shooting wide open, f/1.2, or close to it, the bokeh (blurred effect on the background) of the lens adds its own unique look to the image.

85mm F/1.2
The super fast 85 1.2 proved a bit long in focal length for most of my uses, but when I found opportunities to use it, I was never let down. This lens really shines when used for portraiture or video. I used it almost exclusively during interviews for our dam removal project on the Penobscot River in Maine.

300mm F/2.8
I don’t get an opportunity to shoot with large lenses often, but in Maine we needed some moose portraits, and had to decide what lens would be a good fit. Often times moose will walk right up to you, so a 400mm or 600mm would have been too long. We decided to go with the new 300mm 2.8, an unbelievably sharp lens and a good compromise. Not too long, but still long enough to see the tiny flies buzzing around the moose’s nose and eyes.

For more information on lens rental for your own project, check out LensProToGo. They recently launched a new iPhone App – making rentals easier then ever before!