Friday's focus and a flip

Focusing is something that most of us take for granted. Our vision is vital to our daily lives and yet we rarely think about it. Until that is, it becomes compromised. I can't believe I'm even going to say this but, getting older can do that do a gal. My eyes are not what they used to be.

20 years ago when I first began my love affair with photography I used an all manual camera which of course included manual focusing. And I got really quick with that thing and I loved it, never thinking twice about the manual part and about how much I depended on not only my knowledge of the camera, of light, of my settings but of my sharp (manual) focus. Fast forward to now and I know there is no way I could get away with a manual focus. No way.

I got thinking about my eyes (and how much I need an eye exam) when I caught wind of this video contest You Gotta See This. The simple premise behind it is life is better with clearer vision. Amen.

So...if you're inspired by the importance of our focus and how we see the world (my guess is being photographers, most of you are) read all the details to the contest on the press release media sheet and if you're so inclined to enter for a chance to win $5000, go for it! And if you do enter, be sure to tag your entry with Shutter Sisters*. Why?? Because we're giving away a Flip Ultra HD video camera to someone from our community who enters the contest! Yes! Our own personal giveaway right here! Those Flips are the bees knees, let me tell ya!

We're giving you plenty of time to enter (over a month!) but the sooner you enter, the less likely you'll forget. Need I remind you that vision isn't the only thing that goes with age?

And since we're on the subject I'd love to hear your thoughts on your vision, perspective, focus and what it means to you. My guess is...everything.

* Enter theYou Gotta See This video contest between now and Nov 20, 2009 and tag your entry like this YOUR NAME_SHUTTER SISTERS for your chance to win an HD Flip from us at Shutter Sisters and your chance to win $5000 from Ilasik. The winner of our Flip will be announced before Thanksgiving.

Comments

[Lu]

you just had to go there with the getting older and the eyes...I am making my appointment soon with my own eye doctor. the night driving after being on the computer is a killer!

[Meg]

I'm really excited about this. Nervous cause I've never edited a video, but excited that I get to work with the feature on my mark ii. I have a GREAT idea. Now if I can make it work lol

[Kristina]

As soon as I turned 40 (I swear, I'm talkin' that very day), it's like someone flicked the switch on my eyes and I could no longer read small print. Reading the settings on my camera, restaurant menus, that small tag with laundry instructions--what a joke! I finally had to admit that I had a problem, bite the bullet, and buy reading glasses. READING GLASSES! My Grandma wore reading glasses, not me!

It's been a few years, but I've finally come to grips with my waning eyesight. I now not only have one pair of reading glasses, I have a pair in every room of the house. I can't believe all the time I spent in denial and not seeing things clearly.

I agree, life is better with clearer vision, much better. That is, unless I'm examining the lines around my eyes from squinting all those years. Then, not so much. :)

[lisa]

wow. that is a very stunning photo. it really boggled my mind because..it's soo..real!! lovely lovely lovely.

[spread your wings]

poor vision is one thing that bugs me most of all about becoming old. I had never worn glasses so when presbyopia hit at 40, like they all said it would, I denied it like everyone else does. But when I could no longer see to do the things i love I had to resort to the famous readers. But even with the glasses it's the most frustrating thing for me. I just got a 50mm lens but the automatic focus does not work on my camera and it certainly doesn't work on me.

[Shawna]

Alas, this contest isn't open to us Canadian sisters, so no associated contests either I guess.

It's funny you bring this up though: I just had my eyes checked a couple of weeks ago because it had been over 10 years since laser eye surgery gave me back vision without glasses, and I hadn't had a regular checkup since just after the post-procedure follow-up was done.