First Snow and Things
The past week has been busy. Some new software led to a new computer led to a new camera. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so completely learning about all of these new things continues to be time consuming and frustrating. Fun, too. I can already see that this whole photography thing is going to be very, very addicting.
Anyway…
I turned older over the weekend (yikes). I spent the first half of the day at brunch with my mom and some good friends. The second part of the day was spent at a winery with my dad. Following those activities, I curled up with some Price is Right, ate some supper, and started up a bridge club. Not really. Give me another year.
And, this morning, the first snow of the season:
Related posts:
- Snow. A lot of Snow.
- Chile: Out of the Snow
- My Favorite Things, Part I
- Almost One Year Ago, It Snowed
Some new software led to a new computer led to a new camera.
That sure turned out to be some expensive software – that’s a bit like saying some new gas led to a new engine which led to a new car….
I can understand the new computer bit – software would not work on the old one…but am fascinated to know how it led to a new camera
Have fun with the camera and looking forward to seeing lots of the results – I must admit I try not to use any software on my pictures other than a bit of cropping
I know. I told my friend that gave me the software that I didn’t know if I liked him or hated him…
Software was Adobe Creative Suite, so I upgraded to a MacBook Pro. Then, I decided I needed a DSLR. I’d been wanting one forever, so it was just more about the timing. Now, I just need to figure out how to use the damn thing, while also trying to convince myself that I do not need to immediately buy more lenses. Oy.
Good girl, you won’t regret joining the DSLR club
Top Tips
When you buy lenses get the most expensive ones you can’t afford – don’t bother with cheap lenses – it’s a false economy in the long run…
Use the camera in manual mode from the start*- it might take longer to get to a reasonable level – don’t get disheartened as once you are there you will be able to improve quickly. I spent a year just using auto (I read a review which said cameras are so good these days they can do everything for you – that’s rubbish as it stifles creative photo’s) and reached an OK level – it was only after I staryed shooting manual did people start to say I was really improving.
Don’t get put off by photo jargon or photo snobs
If you can move around with the camera don’t just take shots from a static position
Take it everywhere and have it ready for use i.e. not in the case
This does not include
- Really wet places
- Places where you are likely to get arrested for using a camera – i.e. near children that are not related to you (personally I try and avoid taking pictures of kids at a costs unless the parents beg)
If you take lots of pictures of your friends give them copies of any good ones – they soon stop moaning about you using the camera on them and start moaning when you don’t use the camera.
Get an elasticised neck strap
Take lots but get rid of the photo’s that don’t work,
Unless the photo is clearly rubbish always check on a monitor – sometimes shots that don’t look good on the camera screen actually work on a monitor/PC screen
* If you have a special event then take some in auto but don’t forget use the manual as well
Good to know I can save money on lenses! I mean, after a month in LA, new computer, camera, and an upcoming trip to London, what’s another thousand dollars. It’s all play money at this point :)
Thanks for writing that. The camera store told me to just shoot on Automatic, but that idea was bothering me. I won’t mess around with the easy stuff for too long. Manual it is. {Quickly going to delete my photos of random children}
Glad I could be of assistance and that your instintcs “The Idea (of shooting on auto) was bothering me” already told you that – If I hadn’t been so lazy I would have switched much earlier – As for the deleting of children – if only it was that easy…..