Ooops!!!

Sometimes I wonder if lens filters are really worth having. Decent ones aren't cheap and to be honest, the idea that an additional piece of glass can improve the quality of your pictures just doesn't sit well with me. I mean if all it took was a piece of magical glass to enhance your photos I would think that all the lens manufacturers out there would have already done it. The race for lens superiority is after all a fierce one.
There are low end filters that cost a few bucks and they can cost upwards into the hundreds of dollars. Like most things you get what you pay for.
The higher end filters minimize distortion and interfere as little as possible with the physics of the actual lens. They filter out all the bad light, let in all the good stuff and don't interfere with the auto focus. One thing that is true about all filters,bargain basement or chic couture is that they PROTECT the lens. They protect it from dust, dirt, and direct impact !..... :) A cracked $120 filter is better than a cracked lens any day, and like a faithful body guard my filter took a hit so that my 24-70 could live to shoot another day.
What can I say, filters definitely have their place in this hobby/profession. For all the photographers, who like enhanced skies, glare free water and controlled distortion there isn't anything easier to use. However, I would say if you want the your lens to work the way it was engineered, go commando...unless you're a klutz like me!
I'll buy the good stuff but I'll never go commando.

My Daughter is 100...

...days old , and it has been one hundred days of tears, laughter and so far pretty good nights! I attribute the easy going nights to my lovely wife whom wakes up every couple of hours to tend to the baby's needs. I'd love to help but you know, I'm just the dad :) Thanks sooooo much Hon!

Before my daughter was born people kept telling us that having a second child is a lot easier than having your first and of course you believe it. You've been through the early stages once before, you know all about changing diapers, sleepless nights, feeding, burping, spitting up, crying, the list goes on and on. The reality is they are WRONG! Babies are people too (so I have learned) and as such they have their own little personalities. The experience we gained from her older brother didn't always translate and we are again learning as we go. Not a bad thing, just not an easy thing. But then you would be silly if you thought that raising children would be.
At the end of the day, when you've put the little ones to bed,you realize that no matter how bad the day has been, you just wouldn't want it any other way.

Life is good and you really can't ask for much more than that.

Happy one hundred days sweetie, daddy loves you.

Pam and Andy - The Dominican, the party, the wedding

Way back in January of 2010, Pam and Andy, their families and friends headed to the Dominican Republic for some sun, to party, and to get MARRIED.
Getting there was easy, getting my gear there, well that was tricky. As you know, many of the carriers are imposing very strict carry on restrictions. Ours was 5 kg...ummm...yeah my camera itself weighs more than that and there was NO WAY I was going to check my gear. Luckily, Pam was there to save the day...we'll leave it at that *Thanks Pam*. My gear (all of it), and I made it onto the plane and 5 hours later, tropical paradise!

The days leading up to the wedding day were really relaxed and I have to say the planning was impeccable. Pam and Andy really went all out to make sure everyone was looked after and even though we had a few days of nothing but torrential down pour we were having a blast.

During our days in the Dominican I got to know most of the family, their friends and the bridal party. Great great people! They were so laid back and easy going it made photographing the trip so much fun! That's what I worry about most. Pictures don't lie, and if the people you are photographing don't feel comfortable in front of the lens it shows. Thank goodness there was none of that, and I have to say as I write this I reminisce about dessert ribs, Kratos and class...sigh....good times.

As I said before, the days leading up to the wedding day were wet, VERY wet. I'll admit I was getting a little nervous but of course when the day actually arrived the skies cleared up and we had amazing weather and great photos too. :)

Thanks again Pam and Andy for letting me tag along and trusting me with the task of photography. I hope you enjoy the pictures and may they bring back many memories and feelings for years to come.

Jim