The Event

Last week, I ordered a new lens for my Nikon D500, an AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8E ED VR. It's an expensive lens, but one I've been looking forward to using for quite some time.

I ordered it through Pictureline, a photography store here in Boise, Idaho. Because I work during the week, having the lens delivered to my apartment wasn't particularly convenient, so I arranged to pick it up at the store.

Throughout the process, Pictureline kept me updated by text message about when the lens would arrive. On Saturday, October 24th, I received word that it was ready.

When I walked into the store, a gentleman named Terrence, coincidentally my name as well, stood up from his desk, walked across the room, and shook my hand. I love that kind of friendliness.

I've been in plenty of photography stores over the years, and that kind of personal greeting isn't something I've come to expect. It was a simple gesture, but it made me feel welcome and appreciated as a customer.

The entire experience was professional, friendly, and easy. I wanted to mention that because I think it's important to recognize people and businesses that make an effort to treat others well.

After picking up the lens, I decided there was no better way to spend the afternoon than to put it to use.

I headed to Ann Morrison Park and began walking along the Boise River Greenbelt toward Quinn's Pond.

The Work

My first impression of the new lens is that it's heavy. It's a substantial piece of equipment, solidly built, and feels extremely rugged.

But the photographs it produces are beautiful.

I've spent considerable time photographing with my 70–200mm f/2.8 lens, and I immediately noticed some differences in how the new 24–70mm captures light and renders an image.

There's a clarity to the photographs that reminds me more of shooting with a prime lens than a zoom. The images are sharp, the details are excellent, and I'm looking forward to becoming more familiar with its characteristics.

I'm sure there will be a learning curve, particularly when editing photographs taken with this lens. Every piece of equipment has its own personality, and part of the enjoyment of photography is discovering what a new lens can do.

For its first afternoon, I simply wanted to walk, take pictures, and see what caught my attention.

The Boise River Greenbelt provided plenty of opportunities.

The Images

Autumn has been slowly working its way through Boise, changing the colors of the trees along the river.

During my walk, I photographed the Boise River flowing beneath tall trees displaying shades of green, orange, and yellow.

Some of the leaves have already begun losing the brilliant colors they displayed earlier in the season. The colors are becoming a little more subdued, but there's still enough vibrancy in the landscape to make for some fun photographs.

I also spent time photographing the bridges along the Greenbelt.

I've always enjoyed symmetry in photography, and bridges provide some wonderful opportunities to explore shapes, lines, and perspectives. Looking beneath a bridge, particularly when the structure creates repeating patterns, can sometimes be just as interesting as photographing the scenery around it.

Along the way, I noticed something a little unusual.

A young man had climbed onto the top of one of the bridges.

That's not particularly uncommon along the Boise River. I've seen groups of young people climb onto bridges before, usually preparing to jump into the water below.

But this young man was alone.

He appeared to be preparing some sort of banner, possibly intending to hang it from the bridge. I couldn't tell what the banner said, or exactly where he intended to display it.

He also seemed to be keeping his activities out of sight of the general public.

I took a photograph but decided not to include it in this gallery. I didn't want to draw attention to him, and I didn't feel any particular need to interfere with whatever he was doing.

So I continued walking.

I never learned what the banner said or what message he intended to share.

But it was an interesting reminder that there's always something happening around us, often involving people whose stories we'll never know.

And sometimes that's perfectly fine.

A Final Thought

There's something I'd like to say to anyone who spends a lot of time alone.

Sometimes it's worth making yourself get outside, even when you don't particularly feel like it.

Take a walk.

Look at the trees, the river, the changing seasons, and the people going about their lives.

You don't need a destination or anything important to accomplish.

You might see something beautiful, something unusual, or even somebody standing on a bridge preparing to hang a mysterious banner.

Everybody seems to have something going on in their lives. Something they're working toward, something they care about, or perhaps something they want to say.

And sometimes it's enough just to be there to witness a little bit of it.

You don't have to be part of everything happening around you.

Sometimes being an observer is enough.

For me, photography provides a reason to get outside, pay attention, and occasionally bring home a few images of things I might otherwise have walked past without noticing.

Today was one of those days.

Tomorrow, I'm planning to photograph a glassblowing demonstration in downtown Boise, where artists will be creating objects from molten glass. I've already received permission to bring my camera, and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can capture.

It should be another interesting opportunity to put the new lens to work.

But for now, these are a few photographs from a Saturday afternoon along the Boise River.

And I'm glad I went.