Kiss me … how to get your lens cleaned by a Swiss cow

By Johan Peijnenburg

Forgot about this one and just ran into it again. Couldn’t resist posting this Swiss cow portrait 🙂

Things seem to be much further away when you’re looking through a wide-angle lens. I forgot about that for a second and this Swiss lady cow came in a little bit closer than expected … and she actually kissed the lens! The lens I was using was my Nikon 14-24 f/2.8 which happens to have an enormous, bulbous front element. So, plenty of glass to clean.

Kiss me … how to get your lens cleaned by a Swiss cow

I used a large aperture for this portrait of a Swiss cow and focussed on the nose to only get that sharp. Hope you like this one as well!

Cheers, Johan 🙂

131 thoughts on “Kiss me … how to get your lens cleaned by a Swiss cow”

  8. Franka M. Gabler says:

    Great capture. I always wanted to take a wide angle, close up, cow photograph, however, I don’t think I could handle the moment. I like the focus on the nose. The bell gives it a signature European look (Californian cows don’t have bells).

    Reply
  16. Johan Peijnenburg says:

    @Kimberly: thank you!
    @Robert: thank you as well Robert. I have a dog and I am always careful with him around cows, cause you never know 🙂
    @Jo: I think so. She was a bit grumpy 🙂

    Reply
  17. Charles Lupica says:

    Johan, you do know it’s illegal to live in Switzerland, own a camera, and not take at least one shot like this. Very cool. Cows, when not being timid, can be very curious.

    Reply
  20. Robert Skreiner says:

    But I think the effort was worth it. Very impressive photo! 😉

    Especially fun it can be if you have a dog with you. If the cow has a calf, one must be able to run fast. Because they can be very aggressive. We in Austria have always accidents among people with dogs when they cross the meadows.

    Reply
      • Athena Carey says:

        Actually Johan, you haven’t been around me with cows yet, but the truth is that I like to pet them. 🙂 (ok, and eat them, but not at the same time) I am a bit gushy over most animals. 😉 You will see in time.

        Reply
  37. Johan Peijnenburg says:

    Thanks Julia and Kerry!
    Christophe: smiling cows are a rare species. I only tend to find them in the fridge of the grocery store 🙂

    Reply
  42. Elisha Battles says:

    I am thinking she was thinking she found someone that looked as good as her and couldn’t help herself but to a kiss 😉 Absolutely FANTASTIC shot Johan

    Reply
        • Johan Peijnenburg says:

          You should really put a smily after a comment like that Elisha. I am a sensitive and insecure guy, so I might not be able to fall asleep because of a “I look like a cow” trauma 😉

          Reply
          • Elisha Battles says:

            lol You don’t look like a cow haha 🙂 I am sorry if I offended you. I was just saying she was attracted to her reflection in the lens. Much <3 sent to you Johan

  43. Johan says:

    Laurent: Thanks! She was playing hard to get 😀 She’ll probably get worse when she finds out that she has been commented on so many times;-)
    Thanks Nick !

    Reply
  47. Robin Griggs Wood says:

    You might need a little message on your lens — “*Warning cows are closer than they appear*!” … ;oD
    I love cows and this one is particularly cute shot this way, Johan … I love the inquisitive appearance you captured. … :o)

    Reply
  55. Johan says:

    Thanks Livi and Kevin 🙂
    @Adam: looking forward to your wide-angle goodness!
    @Hope: I have a way with women of this caliber 😉

    Reply

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