The day I post this, I will be 27 years old. In anticipation of this occasion, I decided that I would cop a new lens.
My XF 18-55 – the lens I’ve used for every post up until this one – is as solid as they come. It’ll probably be the lens I use most in my photography journey in the near future. There’s no replacing the versatility and ease in which I use that lens.
So I went in with the mindset of getting something that is completely different from what I’m used to:
Manual focus, prime lens… And silver.
Enter the *breathes in* Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II:
A little unboxing.
Aesthetically, it’s one of my favourite lenses. I adore how it looks. But of course that’s not the main reason why I got it!
The f/0.95 aperture is bonkers. The amount I can toy with light is the only thing I wish I could transfer to my other lens. The feel of the lens – from its weight to the click-less dials – is buttery smooth.
But here I am wasting time! Let’s look at some pics, starting with the dog because what is a lens test without the dog?!
I have a few more, which I’ll mesh with some reflections as I turn 27.
I think this has been the first year of my life where I feel completely confident in who I am as a person. (Watch me say that and then have a crisis on the way to 28!)
Do I have insecurities, doubts and all of those day-to-day things? Of course. But since turning 16, I have gone through a slow process of learning things and more importantly, unlearning things.
There are so many elements of life that I feel is unnecessarily pumped into us and without naming a particular element, it takes a while to realise that lies and untruths are more prevalent than anything.
But without getting in weeds, I feel happy with where I am at right now. Nothing is perfect, far from it, but strides are being made.
Views from a friend’s bedroom.
I’m grateful for everything I’m able to do. I write, I record and I take photos. Two of those more outlets than anything. I hope these three things will take me to where I want to be. But even if they don’t, I value them highly and wouldn’t change a thing.
I never really take birthdays as anything more than another day. I am privileged to take life in the manor I do, which to put simply is as chilled as I can be. So I don't have to put much stock into a specific day.
So far, I think I’m succeeding in that quest.
Grove Park in Lewisham.
With that all said, I’m going to continue building, continue doing what I’m doing and trusting that if I keep it moving, I’ll get to where I want to be.
That’s all I can ask.
We have a new homepage pic!
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.