I have one lens.
It’s a Canon EF 5omm f/1.4 lens, and it is a beauty. It’s sturdy, sharp, and has been a friend to me for years now. Also, it’s now pretty broken.
A few months ago, I was making a tutorial for a friend about understanding aperture. I had my camera mounted on a, ahem, broken tripod (go duct tape!). It still works well enough, just, you know, don’t bump it. Yes, I bumped it. The camera went tumbling down face first, if you will. It landed spectacularly right square on the lens.
Nowadays, it can’t focus between 3 meters and infinity. And I’ve now been told that the cost of repairing the lens is going to come around the same price as what it’s worth to begin with… so, it’s not really worth spending the money to fix it, even if I had the money to do so right now.
So for the past couple of hours I’ve just been admiring how life just sort of plays jokes on you sometimes. A lens that’s nearsighted like my eyes. Broken, like my tripod, like how my body of work is inspired by the idea that broken things are more beautiful than unbroken. And I’m broke(ish).
So, I’ll reattach my tripod’s legs with some new galaxy duct tape. I’ll tell them not to repair the lens – I’ll have them send it back and maybe do a series with the lens within it’s focusing range (or not within it). I’ll take that sign from the universe that came to me early this morning that suggested I really needed to get with setting something, anything up to sell my prints and maybe help my finances (and maybe even eventually get a new lens).
And the time has never been better for me to dig out my old Rebel XS and use that kit lens to make a statement that you don’t need ridiculously fancy equipment to create ridiculously beautiful art.
I will not be knocked down by a curve ball sent directly at my head camera.
Also, in lieu of today’s events, I’ve created a Prints page where you can see what images are available to purchase and how to purchase them, if you’re interested. Prints are available in limited edition sizes and once sold out, will not be reprinted. Prices are as follows:
10×10 Canvas Print: 150$ (edition size 30)
15×15 Canvas Print: 300$ (edition size 20)
20×20 Canvas Print: 500$(edition size 15)
If you have any questions, please feel free to shoot me an email at xceteraphography@gmail.com or fill out the contact form below. I’ll just be here in the corner rocking out to Ironic by Alanis Morrissette for awhile.
