I have wanted to upgrade my camera equipment for quite some time, but I’m not what you’d call a “professional”, just an enthusiastic amateur who gets little pleasure from making money off of my photography. I know! Crazytown. So, being that the IRS considers what I do a hobby, I didn’t feel justified spending thousands of dollars on the Nikon D800 I really, really wanted.
So, what is a bleeding heart photographer to do? After much consideration, I bought a D7000 (much more reasonable price point, more mega pixels, and fast shutter speed than my D90) and bought a new 35 mm lens. I wanted the lens because I can get an f-stop of 1.8 and I’ve been dying to play with bokeh (that blur you see in the background of some photos). Here are some of the first shots with the new camera and lens. Now that the weather is nicer, I anticipate many hours outside with friends, hunting for subject matter. I’m thinking I’ll call this The Year of Bokeh.
Jolene's Life in Focus 
Those blossom shots are GORG!! I am too a bokeh junkie!! Can’t get me enough bokeh…. :0)
That’s a great lens/camera combination. That length will really suit such a wide range of situations.
Love that first image!
Thanks, Ben! So far, I’m really loving what I can do with them.
These are excellent compositions Jolene. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Great shots – I think camera and lens will serve you well.
Me too. 🙂 Thank you for all of the D7000 inspiration on your blog.
I don’t know much about photography but love the photos!
Thank you, Ann. 🙂
Hi jolene! It’s been a while since I have had time to visit my favorite blogs. Hope all is well with you. Love the images, such shallow DOF, my favorite. -Kim
I’m glad to see you back! I’ve always loved shallow DOF – I feel it adds a lot of interest to an otherwise ordinary photograph.
Love these! Nice work Jolene.
Thank you!
the 35mm f1/8 is my favorite lens 🙂 have fun with it
beautiful captures as well
Thank you, Chloe! Lots of sunshine here this weekend, so I imagine I’ll be out having lots of fun with it. 🙂