The View from the Fish Eye
So, during the holidays, friend and fellow photographer, Jonathan, was playing with his new camera and we got talking about our lens wish-lists (when are we not?). Jonathan re-introduced me to fisheye lenses. With some birthday money in my wallet, I thought for a few moments (literally), found a used version of Nikon’s highly rated 10.5mm DX fisheye lens from borrowlenses.com. Impulse buying at its finest. UPS claimed it would arrive on the day our basketball team ventured out for an away game–perfect! I could use it in the gym. It arrived just about an hour before the bus departed, so a happy camper I was. Wide-angle visibility makes for some cool views, like these from the end line and behind the bench (there’s Jonathan, by the way, standing in the Hawks shooting jersey on the far left. He starts on the Freshman team and plays a ton of minutes on JV as well).
Dillon takes the ball to the basket
Last minute advice from Coach Arthur
There are some more fisheye shots, as well as some with my 50mm lens on Top Row Photography galleries (check in the JV and Varsity 2008-2009 galleries).
Jonathan borrowed the lens for the weekend (it was his idea, after all!). Jonathan was a student in my Action Photography course, and he has really developed into a fine photographer. His enthusiasm has helped me to get my camera out more often and get some of those shots I keep wanting to get. And new lenses. 
Here are a couple of Jonathan’s photos, check out more on his website.
Staircase
Lights
Jonathan’s house has some really great lines & hallways and his work captures the mood and warmth of the brick nicely. It snowed 12 inches on Friday and Saturday, so Jonathan got out and took some outdoor views. Again, his work is excellent.
Jonathan gets some air
Dixon's Turn
Did I say it snowed 12 inches? Conveniently, there is a large hill right outside Jonathan’s house, so a bunch of us got out to sled and snowboard and, oh yeah, play with the fisheye lens some more! Any excuse to get outside and take photos is a good one.
This afternoon the bitter cold gave way to a nicer 25 degree partly sunny day. A good day to walk along the Maumee River with the new lens. The curve of the Maumee-Perrysburg Bridge and the shadows create a nice visual scene. I am really happy with this impulse buy. You’ll be seing some more photos from this fisheye lens, that’s for sure!
