So remember how I’ve been begging for a camera? And then I told you last week that all that soul sucking begging paid off and then never told you how it paid off?
Yeah, well sorry ’bout that. Well my new Canon 450D/Rebel XSi arrived via UPS yesterday afternoon amidst much jumping up and down and gleeful shouting. Here was me, all day yesterday…”Was that the UPS truck!!!” as I ran to the window only to see NO SIGN of the UPS truck. “Oh I better not shower, what if the UPS man comes while I’m showering??” “No vacuuming today! I might not hear the doorbell when the UPS man shows up!” “Carson BE QUIET!!! I can’t listen for the UPS man!” “Did you hear that? Did it sound like a UPS truck, Carson??”
So needless to say, I got very little done yesterday waiting and waiting and waiting. It was torture! But I’m guessing you’re sitting at your computer saying, “GET TO HOW YOU GOT THE CAMERA ALREADY!”
Jeez, I was getting to it. Patience.
One of my wonderful readers, Trish, emailed me recently and told me that she works for a company who sells cameras at wholesale price. She offered to let me choose a Nikon d60 or the Canon XSi for free for 30 days. After 30 days I could either box it back up and return the camera OR buy the camera at wholesale cost. Her exact words to me were “I know it’s not as cool as Canon contacting you directly…”
Shut up! Oh it’s as cool alright! Since it’s not a free forever camera and I’m not expected to write a review, I’m not even in violation of my BlogHer ads agreement! I, of course, accepted the offer and am now in a mad frenzy to prove to my skeptical husband that we NEED to buy this camera. He’s convinced that we won’t be able to capture any better pictures with the XSi than we can with our S5IS point and shoot.
I have 30 days to prove him wrong…and YOU can help! Send me your best camera tricks, tips, settings, WHATEVER so that I can become a photography wizard. HALP! I CAN HAS NO CAMRA SKILLZ.
[pictures deleted]
Louise
July 1, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Now that you’re taking so many pictures, your next purchase will have to be some cool photo software for your computer. A good place to start is Adobe Photoshop Elements. It is great for managing large collections, tagging photos, and basic photo editing. It ties in real well with the big boy, Adobe Photoshop, when you’re ready. I think they have a trial copy you can download from Adobe.
Louises last blog post..Charleston Grill Shrimp and Grits
that girl
July 1, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Loved photo #2 so much!
OK, what is the wholesale camera site?????
that girls last blog post..Breaking News
Alison
July 1, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I’ve got zero tips for you except that I just shoot everything and pray that something comes out good!
I love both shots but the one of Ella is GORGEOUS!
Alisons last blog post..My Three Year Old Wears Rose Colored Glasses
Anne Glamore
July 1, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Clearly, what you need is not advice on taking pictures, but advice on how to convince your husband you NEED the camera.
You can do that by taking a GREAT closeup shot of him with a kid or two (your own) and printing it for the office.
Or, you could, um, do it other ways.
Anne Glamores last blog post..Brer Rabbit Goes Haute Cuisine
Kelley
July 2, 2008 at 12:28 am
I gave up on my camera and now just take pics with my phone.
Yes. I am THAT lazy!
Kelleys last blog post..Of twits and twats Tuesday
Rabbi's Wife
July 2, 2008 at 12:58 am
Mine is simple, but requires timing. 1-2 hours before sunset. That’s it. this is absolutely the best time to take photos outside. You can’t get the effect any other way, filters and flashes notwithstanding. Take the kids outside and click away. guaranteed they will look angelic.
Rabbi’s Wifes last blog post..the one where I end up in the hospital.
Busy Mom
July 2, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT and I’m still learning about it.
There are some good links here, and I second (or third) the recommendation for “Understanding Exposure”.
Busy Moms last blog post..Not a digital camera abuser, really.
Loralee
July 2, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I so wanted a new camera to take to BlogHer, but I’m just glad I get to go!
P.S.
You have WAY better photo skills than a lot of people out there.
Loralees last blog post..Kind of like Post Secret except you won’t have to make a card or spend money on a stamp. (And obviously, it’s not NEARLY as cool and awesome)
Sarcastic Mom
Twitter: SarcasticMomLC
July 2, 2008 at 8:20 pm
WhatEVER. Your shots are beautiful!
Also – you bitch! I’m still over here using my point and shoot, purchased in 2004 Kokad Easyshare DX7630!
You can get them at The Dollar Store!
Hahaha… jk. Congrats! I’m hoping Dyson will love on me similarly, eventually. Then Canon… Mac…. hell, maybe some Home Building Company….
Shut up. Mommy always told me to dream big.
Sarcastic Mom
Twitter: SarcasticMomLC
July 2, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Kokad.
*dies laughing*
See, I can amuse myself, I don’t even need anyone else.
I’ll end with my latest favorite typo:
<4
Sarcastic Moms last blog post..So cute, you’ll vomit.
applepiesf
July 2, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Um, when you say “No vacuuming today,” do you mean that you vacuum EVERY DAY? If so, I think I might have to start to hate you. I really don’t want to do that, but I don’t see any alternative.
Kim
July 3, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I stumbled upon your website over at YankeeDrawl. I am not the best photographer, I just do it for fun, but my secret weapon is photoshop (I have some tutorials on my blog).
For good straight out of the camera shots my favorite tips are:
Fill the frame, get as much of your subject in the shot as possible and forget about the surroundings.
Don’t use the flash that is attached to the camera, it makes pictures look washed out. Go outside, in the shade or near dawn or dusk, for the best shots.
You can get some great shots with the automatic modes, but play around with the manual modes for even better shots.
When taking pictures of people or animals, focus on the eyes, they are the most important.
hmm… that’s all I can think of right now. Most importantly, have fun and keep shooting. I’m so excited to see what you can do with the canon. Good luck.
Kims last blog post..New York City
elaine
July 7, 2008 at 10:00 am
I have no tricks (tyring to learn myself right now…) but that second picture looks pretty darn good already if you ask me (not that you did!) I think that should be proof enough!!
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Karly
July 10, 2008 at 11:29 am
I dunno where I’ve been the last couple of weeks, but I have missed so much on your blog! This is my fav post though. Can’t wait to check out all these links from the comments! And your pictures are already gorgeous!
Karlys last blog post..Owning Up To My Irresponsible Ways
Karly
July 10, 2008 at 11:32 am
OH, and have you thought of nekkid pictures as a way to convince him? LOL! It would work for my husband! In fact…I might need another lens soon…
Karlys last blog post..Owning Up To My Irresponsible Ways
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