I haven't posted in awhile, but hope to get some more up soon. I've had a few more practice sessions (1-2 a week), but need to work on editing. Plus, I've been trying out my new camera & lens! I got the Nikon D300s(!!!!) and an 85mm 1.8 lens. I love the new camera, it has so many more options and features. Plus, it is easier to use and adjust all the manual settings and I can even see an improvement in image quality.
The lens is really nice, but it is taking some getting used to. It's a small telephoto, versus my 35mm 1.8 that I've mainly used, which is a wide angle. This means that I have to get real close to get close ups with the 35, but it is great for full body shots and is good indoors because I don't have to be that far away for a full length shot. The 85, on the other hand, is only really good outdoors because it has a longer focal length and I have to back up so much and it really isn't as good for full length shots...though it can do it, you just have to be super far away. It doesn't create awesome bokeh (creamy, blurry background). The 2 lenses together are a great combo and I love them both. They are great portrait lenses. Next on my list is the 50mm 1.4, which will really round out my group.
Meanwhile, I'm in the process of getting new editing software. I had the entry level Photoshop Elements because it was all I could afford. The full Photoshop is about $600 more than the entry level! I could also use Lightroom as well, but it too is a few hundred dollars. Well, I got a special offer email from Adobe where I can get the full version (CS5) for 70% off and Lightroom (LR3) for 30% off!!! It is seriously the deal of the century and was only offered to those with Photoshop Elements. The offer is good for a few weeks and I'm looking forward to getting it. And of course, now I need to learn how to use them! The nice part is that I can finally follow along with what many of the photographers are doing when I read through my forum threads. I think these programs will help a lot. A photographer friend really urged me to upgrade my software and I'm so grateful for this sale which will enable me to do so.
Of course, I think the camera, lens, new bag & software are my "gifts" for the next few years. As far as Ron is concerned, he has just taken care of my birthday, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, Anniversary and much much more! Speaking of grateful, having such a supportive husband is priceless!
I equate photography to the books "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" by Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
If you give a photographer a camera, chances are, she's going to want a new lens.
And if you give her a new lens, then she's going to need new editing software.
If you give her new software, then she's probably going to want a faster computer.
And if you her a faster computer, then chances are, she's going to want a(nother) camera!
This journey continues to be a rollercoaster. I want to learn faster, get better faster, do more sooner! I love my photography forum because it makes me feel "normal". I among a group of creative, passionate, impatient, driven, Type A perfectionists. The highs are high--a great shot has the effect of a bottle of good champagne, but the lows are low--a bad session is like a hangover the day after you've emptied that precious bottle of bubbly.
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