Winter Grass in the Wind

Canon 7D, 200mm @ f5.6, 1/4000.

I first took these long grass strands using a 24 to 105mm zoom, but found that even at 105mm, the background was too much in focus and therefore distracting. So I switched to the 200mm lens and shot the grasses again with a much better bokeh effect.

Santa's Way Station

Canon 5D, 20mm @ f3.5, 1/20, on tripod

Our good friends (let's call them Mr. and Mrs. Santa) have been honoring the Christmas season for more than 30 years by decorating their home inside and out, and inviting the community to visit during an annual open house. Over the years, the display has become more elaborate, as they added new elements, ornaments and lights.

One item they have put out each year has been a special mailbox where neighborhood children can post their letters for Santa. Mrs. Santa responds to each child's letter with a handwritten, personal note. Our friends then save the childrens' original letters and, when possible, give them to their parents in later years.

Mr. Santa asked me to preserve their efforts with a photo of the outside light display. I took the photo from across the street, standing on the bed of Mr. Santa's pickup... er, sleigh. I used a low ISO to avoid digital noise, and slightly underexposed to preserve details in the highlights while allowing the dark night to go fully black.

Self Portrait

Canon 7D, 60mm macro lens @ f4, 1/4, on tripod