Fast Glass
There is an axiom in photography that goes something like this: The more open the lens, the less that’s in focus. Lenses that have the ability to open very wide are known as “fast glass.”
Camera lens design is based on the human eye. The more the pupil is open, the less that will be in focus. If you’ve ever gone to the eye doctor and had drops put in your eyes to dilate your pupils, you can relate to this photography principle.
Sometimes we attempt to focus on everything at once, in photography and in life. That means that everything has equal importance and, frankly, that’s a lot to focus on.
“Fast glass” gives us the ability to put what’s important in razor sharp focus and have all other distractions be out of focus.
What is the human equivalent to “fast glass?” Attention.
Attention gives us the ability to zero in on what’s important and have everything else fall out of focus.
What’s important to you? Does it have your focused attention or are you focusing on everything at once?
“Scattered” is how I describe the feeling I get when I’m focusing on everything at once. When I get that sensation, it’s a signal to me to pay attention to what’s important – so that I can make everything in the background go out of focus and have tack sharp focus on what’s right in front of me.
“Fast glass” is expensive, ask any photographer. Attention is free; you just have to use it to become as focused as you want to be.
All the best,
John
Be Sociable, Share!
