I actually saw something I wanted to photograph today. I even put my hand up to my eye to frame the pic for my mother, who was with me. But did I have my camera? Noooooooo. That will change. It’s about to become my constant companion!

I’m continuing to read the Photography for Dummies.

I played a bit with my camera last night. I took 2 shots. The first, using the “night scene” setting was a wash. You can see it in the thumbnail. The shutter speed was 1 second, and it’s a blurry mess. The keeper shot was made with the “night snapshot” setting, and I am quite pleased with it. The shutter speed was a fairly quick 1/8 second. I feel it adequately captured the branches against the night sky. The lines remind me very much of a nerve plexus, thus the name. The only reason for the pic is that the tree caught me eye. I must see it 20 times a day, but yesterday, it was time. I don’t know how much detail you’ll be able to see once I get the photo uploaded, but the original is full of detail.

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I guess, since I am continuing on my course, it’s time to share my intentions. This is as much for myself, so I can remember what I intended to do as it is for you
Photography for Dummies
HP site courses and tips
User manual for my camera
Digital Photography for Dummies

I’ll be doing the exercises as I read the materials. The way to better photography is more photography, LOL! I want to learn how to use all the features of my camera as well, whether I use them all regularly or not. Also, I want to emphasize that my goal is to become a better photo taker, not a better photo editor. I like photo editors, don’t get me wrong. But I want to learn to take better shots, not just crop the bad ones
Also, not part of the course, but I really want to get something at the top of this page! I’ve been meaning to do that since I let the first people in on it’s existence.

Technorati Tags: photography, photography course

I finally finished the book I’ve been joking about. I have to say that the book had good info for the time of publishing, and I was able to pick up a few tips from it. However, the fact that it was published in 2001, as I mentioned before, does leave it quite dated. Would I buy it today? No. Am I glad I read it? Yes.

Here’s a tool that I found very helpful today. I was looking for a compromise between shots I could print at a decent, viewable size, and shots that ate up memory cards at an incredible rate. I used this Megapixel Chart to determine that the best setting for my camera and my photos is M1. This will allow a crisp photo for me at a bit bigger than 5×6. Since I print photos (if and when I ever print them) at 4×6, I’m good. That’s about 3 MP.

If I do a shoot on one of the children, hoping for a wall portrait, I can bump it up a bit, but for everyday use, this is fine.

It was about 3am by the time I got around to it, but I did put batteries in the camera, and learn to take pictures. And have proceeded to take about 150 more. I even played with night photo and indoor snapshot settings.

I got a 512mb card for Christmas, too. That was awesome, because the one that came with the camera hold only 16. Even with it set to postcard, that’s only 26 shots. I do love that this camera tells me how many shots are left on the card, instead of just suddenly coming up with “memory card full”.

I like the zoom. That was sweet, since I am sick again, and could get good close-ups just by sitting in my chair, and manipulating the zoom, even though the kids were scattered at different distances from me.

I like the different settings on it too. I’ll leave you with this shot, it was taken either with night photo or indoor snapshot setting, and I can’t remember which. I turned the lights way down, and played abit. I do know that the shutter speed was 1/8 second, aperture f 3.50 and focal length 9.82mm

that today, I will play with my new camera. I will at least learn how to take a regular picture, and use the zoom. So far, I haven’t even put the batteries in it. How ridiculously lame is that? I’ve been busy, but today, I will make time. I promise. And tomorrow, I will share a picture.

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I read through several of the past articles on Photojojo tonight. Then I added them to the sidebar, since I’d signed up for the newsletter a couple of days ago. These little articles are jam packed with info on projects, products and photo tips. And since it comes out just twice a week, I can keep up with it, LOL!

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The camera came around 8 o’clock. I tried reading the manual, and realized that it was a waste of time to do that without the camera in my hands. I hope to get a chance to play with it tomorrow, but here’s a picture DD#2 took of me with it. Ok, several pictures, LOL!

It occurs to me that I look pretty maniacal in these pictures. I promise I don’t eat small children for breakfast. DS#1 is in the first picture with me. Yes, all three boys ran out to meet the UPS truck, LOL! In the middle picture is DD#4.

That’s the status of my new camera!!!! I am excited. Yesterday, the UPS guy didn’t get here until after supper, though, so I am trying to contain myself.

I am continuing to read through the book I mentioned yesterday, though I still snicker at it. It’s just hopelessly outdated.

I do plan to start my photography course after the first of the year. I suppose I ought to make my self some kind of syllabus and timeline so I can keep myself on track. I’ll share that here when I get it done. But that will not be tomorrow. Tomorrow, you will get to hear me talk about my camera, LOL!

Technorati Tags: new camera, photography course