AquaLangs

This is another image that leads into a discussion of optical dynamics and lens performance. After growing weary of lugging around my 300mm f/2.8 lens on yet another trip to Costa Rica, I left the lens in my hotel and grabbed a 200mm f/4 macro lens instead. Generally speaking, macro lenses project a flat field and are not suitable for telephoto uses. Well aware of this phenomenon, I packed the less cumbersome lens as I headed to the La Marina Zoo near La Fortuna. The radioactive-blur to the right of this lion, is cause for bokeh-bandits to cringe.

Taking a moment to pontificate a bit, I have a great deal of disdain for those who scrutinize bokeh – a Japanese term that describes the appeal of the area surrounding a subject that is not in focus. Originally, this was an expression and tool used by a laudable, yet overlooked art movement in Japan, where photographers strove to incorporate the blurred background into the overall composition, sometimes taking over the subject. Presently, the term has become fodder for online photography forums, esoteric obsessives, and talentless camera geeks. Nonsensical terms like “good bokeh” are as universally useless as “photo quality” – another phrase bandied about by the ignorant, or those who pander to the ignorant.

Returning to this image, the macro lens I used that day exhibited some odd artifacts when racked out to its infinity focus limit as seen in the photograph above. Here, the nervous blur is distracting and does not fit in the context of the rendered scene. I was quickly able to use this flaw to my advantage as can be seen in the following photo where the harsh blur is utilized successfully.