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| One of my images from that 2013 Route 66 road trip which was the reason the creation of this blog. (click to enlarge) Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico, just after dawn. Nikon D800E; 16-35mm f/4 VR lens @ 22mm; 1/500th sec. @ f/6.3; ISO 100 |
What I like most about writing these posts is sharing my photographic knowledge with all of you, answering your questions and helping as much as I can so you can enjoy photography as much as I have over these past 49 years. (Yes, I guess I'm getting old but my mind surely doesn't agree with my physiological age!) Sharing and helping others has become very important to me and is one of the primary drivers for continuing this blog. Also, I have come to enjoy writing. I never liked to write years ago in school or in my chosen profession, but I enjoy it now. What also drives me is my sheer passion for photography; that passion not diminished one bit over these past decades. I love everything about photography today as much as when I first fell in love with the craft in the spring of 1970.
To me, photography is the perfect blend of creativity and technology. I love both and photography uniquely fills those right brain/left brain interests that I have. I love the creativity of going out, wandering, finding and seeing subjects that evoke an emotion in me, then using the technology of digital photography to capture those emotions the best I can. Finally, I use the wonder of the Internet and this blog to share those images, knowledge, thoughts, insight and experiences with all of you.
I don't have any sponsors. I don't have any affiliate links. I have no subsidies. I have to buy all my gear in the same manner as do you. I haven't been invited on any junkets by any gear manufacturers. Camera and lens manufacturers don't offer to send me any gear to test or use and subsequently write about. I don't make any money from this blog at all. In fact, this blog costs me money. Certainly, researching, testing and writing this blog cost me time. And, as I like to say, in the baseball game of life, I've rounded third base and I'm headed home. (Now, I'm not going to hustle home, but I'm headed that way, nonetheless! Lol.) But, I love spending my time sharing and helping others.
The Wandering Lensman is just me thinking of photographic stuff that might be interesting and helpful to you. Just me photographing, testing, trying things out and sitting behind my keyboard writing and editing my words. Did I mention my staff? Did I mention that my staff is a staff of one? Just me! Lol. But that makes all this mine and I'm not beholding to anyone else.
I want to thank all of you for coming to my blog. You flatter me to no end in the fact that you would take some of your precious time and give it to me in the guise of reading my words and and giving credence (maybe) to my thoughts. I am humbled by your generosity and the thought that you think I can bring a little value to you and your photography.
I plan on continuing The Wandering Lensman for an indefinite time. As I said, I have come to enjoy writing. I certainly enjoy photographing. And, even more, I enjoy buying and selling the gear I use to write about and let you know what I find. I don't have plans to change much about the blog but I do have some ideas for posts that I've started writing conceptually.
A few weeks ago, I asked if you wanted me to continue including the camera and lens data when I post images. Overwhelmingly, the answer was yes. So, I will continue that. Also, a couple of readers asked if I would occasionally post how I edit an image. I will try to remember to do that, but if there is a particular image about which you are curious as to how I edited it, just ask and I'll write a quick post showing the RAW file right out of the camera and you can compare that to a finished file.
If you know anyone who may benefit from reading my blog, please pass on the URL and/or name so my help reaches even more photographers or wannabe photographers. I'm anxious to help anyone who asks.
Again, thank you and I look forward to reading your comments and questions in the future.
Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
All content on this blog is © 2013-2019 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.
I love reading your blog. Your love for photography shines through.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 1000th post & Thank You!
Thank you, Cedric. Yes, I do love photography!
DeleteCher Dennis,
ReplyDeleteSurtout continuez à écrire et à nous faire partager votre grande expérience de la photographie. Comme j'ai du déjà vous le dire, tous vos articles sont inintéressants. Ils soulèvent des problèmes et des interrogations que nous rencontrons régulièrement dans notre pratique de la photographie. Vos explications et vos constats reflètent exactement ce que nous ressentons nous mêmes. De plus la qualité des images que vous partagez avec vos lecteurs est d'une très grande qualité et illustre parfaitement votre propos. Un seul 'CONTINUEZ'.
Très bonne année à vous.
Didier.
PS: Si vous passez un jour par PARIS n’hésitez pas à m'avertir c'est avec un grand plaisirs que je vous ferai visiter notre capitale.
Dicier, thank you for your kind words. I have translated your comments below so all those who don’t speak French can understand.
DeleteDear Dennis,
Above all, continue to write and share with us your great experience of photography. As I have already told you, all your articles are uninteresting. They raise problems and questions that we regularly encounter in our practice of photography. Your explanations and observations reflect exactly what we feel ourselves. In addition, the quality of the images you share with your readers is of a very high quality and perfectly illustrates your purpose. One 'CONTINUE'.
Happy New Year to you.
Didier.
PS: If you spend a day in Paris do not hesitate to warn me it is with great pleasure that I will make you visit our capital.
Merci, mon ami. Pardon moi. Je parle un peu Francais.
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the title, I was concerned you were perhaps going to end the blog. I am grateful you are not. The amount of time and money you put into the blog is very much appreciated! The information you impart has helped me think through my own set of challenges, and has inspired me to enjoy my photography even more. As I have shared before, we share much in our photographic journey, and I feel a bit like you are a kindred spirit. So reading that you are continuing the blog is wonderful news. Thank-you!
And I will extend a similar invitation as Dicier. If you ever find yourself headed to Northern California, please let me know!
thank-you, Rudy
Many thanks, Rudiger. I'm going to continue. This venue gives me a bit more purpose to my life. After all, there are no days off, no weekends and no holidays in retirement! Lol.
DeleteI think there are many out there who are not hipsters, millennials, etc., that want solid, rational and unbiased information that is well thought out and reasonable. That is what I try to provide. I've been around the block too many times to get emotional about a new camera or lens. I like to thoroughly assess exactly what a new piece of gear can bring to my photography before making a purchase.
As for photography, I try to provide good information, tips (no tricks!) and help from my many years of experience. As I have written many times in the past, one of my goals is to have others enjoy photography as much as I have and I'm willing to share everything I know, all my experience, my successes and my failures.
I love northern California. I do want to get back there and, when, I do, I'll let you know. Thank you for the offer.