The Silence of Nature
“Silence is the language of nature”
Debasish Mridha
This week Cheri has challenged us to “capture silence in a photograph”. To me, nature is a place where soothing silence can always be found by those who seek it. Coincidentally, this week I set out to test a new lens in the woods and lagoons near my home. All of today’s captures, celebrating nature’s silence, were shot with my X-T2 using Fujifilm’s 50-140 mm f/2.8 lens.
“I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”
Vincent van Gogh
My test of the lens focused on four things – portability, sharpness, reach and bokeh. The lens (unlike my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8) easily supports handheld shooting without shake. At the narrow end, f/22, I was able to achieve reasonable results with panning to create images like the one above.
“See how nature-trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence.”
Mother Teresa
I am used to having a bit more reach, and I did find I would have liked more, but the use of a teleconverter could solve that. Also, the lens was quite sharp and since the Fuji files are large, they can be cropped down to a reasonable size to focus in on important elements. In the capture above, the three Hooded Mergansers were a good distance from me, so the shot has been cropped pretty significantly. Note that the birds, even though on the move, are still reasonably sharp.
“Come to the woods, for here is rest.”
John Muir
I used the lens for some landscapes and found it was also up to that task. Generally, I was pleased with it although I do take issue with those who compare it to the Nikon. For me it was the ability to carry it around for two hours, and to shoot successfully without a tripod, that makes it a winner.
“Serenity is when I realize I’m blessed with beautiful nature around.”
divyaelizabeth
Of course, there are many other lenses to be considered after moving to a new (in my case Fujifilm) platform. There are zooms, primes, macros, wide angles, and of course third party options. Oh dear, what’s a photographer to do?!
The answer, of course, is to focus on our skills. While our choice of equipment influences our results to some degree, improving our ability to “see” the shot, find the light, compose our images and know the limits and capabilities of our gear will trump equipment choice every time.
Equipment notwithstanding, one of my favorite things about photography is that it puts me right in the heart of nature’s silence – how about you?
WPC: Silence
Nature is beautifully peaceful and recharges the soul. I long to sit in nature listening to the bird song
I just love the whole thought of this post! I have read a few of your posts by now and they are incredible, always enjoyable to read. Feel free to check out my blog page I think you will like what I have to share! https://naturefanatics.blog/
I love the title of this post, and I love the images. Silence and stillness are so important, and we don’t give ourselves enough.
I agree Ali – thanks for stopping by!
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Through all of natures marvelous sounds, peace can still be found🙂
love that first one,the tiny bird huddled among the branches…I wonder how you even spotted it 🙂 it feels like it’s just about to break the silence with a beautiful tune… always great to be close to nature, wonderful captures, Tina!!
It was ver sweet and let me get quite close before flying off 😊
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Amazing post!
Thank you!
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Thanks Mary – I am indeed having tons of fun with the new system, which is also pushing me to be out in nature a bit more often.
Thank you Mary – yes I’m having fun playing with the new “toy” – and it does push me to get out and enjoy nature’s best!
Sounds like you are having great fun with your gear! Isn’t life grand without a tripod ??? Wee Bird is the cutest lil thing. 💕
I am indeed Diane, and YES no tripod is a definite advantage!!
You are really enjoying the experimentation with your new camera Tina and the results are very good. Being in nature is always a joy
It sure is Pauline, although I think I’d prefer it in your corner of the world right now!
Much hotter here😥🌞
Love the series. Excellent framing of “wee bird”.
Thanks Syam – it was so sweet of him to pose for me!
I love this post as I do all your posts. It appeared at a good time for me after a traffic jam and now waiting in a doctors office with Nick. I needed some peace
So glad to hear Nick is on the mend Eileen – wishing you more peace, fewer doctor visits!
Wonderful shots Tina.
Thanks Rupali!
Love the photos!!
Thanks very much for your visit and comment
These are gorgeous Tina! I too seek silence in nature. I love nature.
Thanks Nicole – glad you enjoyed these. THere’s so much beauty for those who seek it, don’t you think?
Yes!
fabulous images- beautiful 🙂
Thanks very much Caryl!
really gorgeous ‘calming ‘ shots Tina……a quiet beauty…👍
Thanks April – always great to get away from the “noise” isn’t it?!
Beautiful photographs! The first two are easily my favorites.
Thanks very much Dilip – that little bird was quite the poser!
Beautiful, Tina. Love your first bird shot with its nice creamy background. Enjoy your new lens.
Thanks Jane – sadly it was only a loan. Still on the lens purchase fence!
Beautiful Tina. Thank you!
My pleasure GF, thanks for stopping by!
Wow this is all beautiful, your photographs are truly amazing 😍❤
Thank you for the lovely comment See!
The soothing silence in nature is so well captured here, Tina! Love the Forest Quietude.
Many thanks Helen – such solace among nature’s gifts.
Wonderful quotes and wonderful photos, particularly your Forest Quietude à la Monet. Are you sure this wasn’t taken at Giverny 🙂
LOL, afraid not Andrew! If only…..
Great collection of nature photos for this week’s theme. If you get that teleconverter, I’ll look forward to a review. My longest lens, a Tamron 16-300 is a variable aperture zoom (f/3.5-6.3). For me a teleconverter is a non-starter as the lens is already too slow at full zoom. On my wishlist is a zoom with an f/2.8 aperture.
Such a conundrum on lenses isn’t it John? I’d only borrowed the lens so am still undecided on which way to go.
Beautiful capture! 😊
Thanks very much Irene
There are some lovely photos in your post. I agree about silence in nature being one of the best kinds of silence.
Thanks Suzanne – nothing like a walk among the trees to quiet the mind
Beautiful Nature pictures to test your lens! I love that you have access to such serene sceneries near your home.
Thanks Anita – me too!!!
The lens certainly does well and I agree with you in that weight certainly does mean some compromises out on a walk in Nature. I have to take my gear in a wheeled trolley and stick to flat surfaces these days as I can’t even carry my miniature backpack with a full water bottle, let alone a couple of cameras and lenses.
It does get a bit harder every year Vicki – and more than age, it’s really about having shooting flexibility without tons of “baggage”!
I wish I still had a 18-200mm lens, Tina. That covered most situations years ago, but now, I think I need to sell my long heavy DSLR lens and get another short prime lens for my lightweight Sony ‘mirrorless’. I really don’t know how professional photographers carry all their gear these days. Maybe they’re all selling their heavy DSLRs.
I think many are, or at least expanding their arsenals! And the best of them have assistants! Maybe that’s what we need 😊
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Crazy about that wee bird no matter what lens!
Thanks GF – kinda sweet on him/her myself LOL.
I’m loving the oaks dripping with moss. 🙂
Your choices are so beautiful, Tina, and really show “silence.” You are so right about having the ability to “see” and capture the shot.
Loved this post!
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Thanks GF!!! Appreciate your stopping by 🙂
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thanks so much Pat!
Wee Bird is such a sweet photo.
Thanks Sharon – it was a truly sweet little bird. Lucky to catch it before it flew off!
Yes, you and I share a reverence for nature. This post is stacked with the wonder of Mother Nature. Well done.
Thanks Sally – yes your love of nature is apparent at every turn!
Silence in nature is my very favorite thing, and one reason I love our rv life. Your photos are great, and the mirrorless system must be fun to have.