I recently cleaned out a cabinet of some camera gear and made an absolutely shocking discovery. In the cabinet, way in the back, I found a 135mm lens that was in desperate need of some love. It was my Dad’s lens. A few years back, I remember this moment, my mom brought a box to my home filled with lots of my Dad’s old photo gear. My mom I think told me that she thought she might sell it at one point, but decided that my dad would have most definitely wanted me to have it. I had recently really started a photography rebirth, so I welcomed it with open arms. At the time, I was all about the digital world, having just bought my first digital SLR. So I tucked the Canon AV-1 and lenses in the back of a cabinet. A couple of months went by, and I did start using the camera mounted with a 50mm lens. I fell in love with that camera so dang hard, so much so that if I HAD to make a choice for which camera to go through life by my side I would pick her. It’s like a memory, a conversation with my dad with each click. I often talk to him when I’m out photographing with that camera. Okay, so this past spring, was the shocking 135mm lens discovery for that Canon. I had totally forgot that my mom gave me any other lenses.  I was so floored. Flummoxed. I stopped cleaning. I got my keys. I found a camera shop. I bought some film. I loaded the camera. And I started shooting. And all summer I resisted the urge to put another lens on the camera. I kept with the 135. It is not my wheelhouse, my comfort zone. I kinda love being all up in my subject’s business. I just do. I stuck with it. And by the end of the summer, I had a little collection of favorite images.

I took the Lens to a garden in my area. I kept the aperture low, I was in a bokeh rich mood that morning. I really loved how dreamy and creamy the bokeh turned out.

I took the Lens on Vacation to New England. Again, wide on the aperture. I am such a sucker for that blur.

Here’s a few more faves. I don’t know why that plane flying through the murky dark sky and fog delights me so, but it does.

Most recently, I took the lens to my cousins’ wedding that I was photographing. I love this sweet image.

So the summer has ended, and I’m thinking that I want to see what the Autumn Season looks like through 135mm. It’s my favorite season after all. In a way using my dad’s camera and lens I imagine I’m bringing him along with me for the fun. What he captured, in the lens he saw through, I now use and see. And that makes me so very grateful, so very happy.

Here’s to Autumn memories and the many ways you capture them!

Audrey