Picture perfect inspiration

You know how I’ve been looking for photography and camera information? Well, here’s some. And no, as a matter of fact, I couldn’t wait to share them… This post is also my sneaky way of making notes in a place that I can get to really fast :-) And it also may or may not be a backhanded excuse for putting up one of my most treasured shots of Abby.

Thank the blogging gods that Kim took the time to email me today, because Karen Russell has me in tears… weepy puddles of emotion just looking at her photographs… Just start reading… And once you read her post about her vows, wipe your face and keep on going.  I’ve got all sorts of lens notes scribbled down. I also found this super helpful link on there… for reviews. Karen is a beautiful woman who is living life… and thankfully documenting it for all of us to share. And her family is beautiful and her sweet little girl Annie has made me miss that time in my own girls lives. So go and read.

I’ve been going to The Idea Room for a while now. And, well, it’s full of ideas. There’s a nifty section from Kristen Duke that will give you so much information you’ll return there time and time again… and then you’ll put the Kristen Duke button on your own blog because you’ll just HAVE to share it with the rest of the world. And no kidding… You’ll be hard pressed not to find dozens of other ideas on this blog to try.

I’ve mentioned Scott Bourne before when I was searching for a new point and shoot. Which I swear, I still love. No really… I promise. Go there. His Fast Photo Tips posts are great. While you are there, poke around some more. Photofocus has a wealth of information.

And of course there’s Ree. Who we all know doesn’t know me from a tick on one of her cows. Actually, she’s for sure had more contact with the ticks. Her photography section is full of awesome. Go learn. And even if you never enter her photography assignments, follow along and see how you do. You might just be better at this than you think ;-)

Recycled pic circa 2005

Film at 11

OK, so it wont REALLY be at ll… because it’s film… and you have to wait to see if you actually got a decent shot… But, well, there it is. There’s the biggest problem with film.

I am currently trying to solve the ages-old Canon vs. Nikon question. I thought I had figured out Nikon should win with me because I already have a decent all-purpose Nikkor lens that I could use with a new DSLR. (or at least, that’s what the photographer moonlighting at Best Buy said) I’ve narrowed those down to the D90 or the D5000. Then I started catching up with some of my favorite photography blogs… and now I wonder if that snazzy new Canon T2i wouldn’t be better for me…

because REALLY, it seems like nobody shoots with a NIKON. (said in my hoity toity voice )

BIG thanks goes to Angry Julie for confusing me again… ;-)

While digging in bags trying to find this lens I thought, “why not take this puppy out and see if I can take an actual picture.” You know… one so good you don’t have to manipulate the Hell out of it in some software.

Film seems so base and tactile to me… sort of like hand sewing while I have a Creative Vision sitting in my sewing room. Like walking instead of riding in a car. Like bathing instead of showering. This makes no sense to me either, but just go with it. It’s a more sensual (Webster’s definition) experience than shooting with an instant gratification digital camera. Make sense? No? Yeah… I know. Just nod your head and keep reading.

While I’m researching like crazy and bugging photography bloggers, editors, teachers for info about how to decide which camera I should get, I’m going to take a stab at shooting this Nikon N75 again. It’s what I got when we had our first baby, and really… I did get some CRAZY amazing pics with it.

I’ll share them with you after processing… I think I may just get them processed to disk… because really… what on EARTH would I do with actual prints! ;-)

And if you would like to tell me about your camera and how great it does in low light and which lenses you just LOVE, PLEASE pretty PLEASE leave me some comment love, cause Momma’s confused!!!

*****disclaimer*****

I do STILL love my Canon G11 point and shoot, so don’t get your panties in a twist. I’m looking for more zoom… These ballet recitals and shows are just beyond the limit of what I can get with the G11. But don’t worry… I’ll keep it in my purse… until I get a super cute new camera bag to go with my fancy pants camera :-)

 

Batshit crazy…

We interrupt the vacation posts with this crazy photo…

This little bugger just fell out of our patio table umbrella and scared the crap out of all of us. There may or may not have been cursing, and shivers, and general skeeved outedness involved.

Oh, and a chicka on Twitter thought baby bats were cute, so here’s a second shot of the nasty little thing… {shiver}

I’ll never read vampire smut the same way again….

Yeah Mon!

Our first real stop on the cruise was Montego Bay, Jamaica. We read a lot of posts on Cruise Critic that scared us a bit about getting off the boat in Jamaica. We’ve been to Jamaica before, but it was 8 years ago and it was to an all-inclusive resort that we didn’t leave for a few days. There were several warnings on the CC message board about invasive searches on your return to the ship. Considering we had an 18 year old girl with us, we didn’t think it was a good idea to get off the ship there. Luckily after a few days at sea with some rain, we were bored and ready to get onto some land.

We booked an excursion through Carnival for the Irie Mon Beach Party. Basically, Carnival threw some dj’s and rum punch into a blender and said Yeah Mon! It was fun. Hubs caught a boat to go out snorkeling, while sister and I soaked up some rays. The key to getting a great spot on Irie Beach was to get up and get off the ship early. We were on the first bus out and had primo beach chairs. That first picture up there? The view from my chair. NICE.

Sister had a good time playing on this big jumbo floaty trampoline thing they had anchored off the beach…

Mostly, while they snorkeled and jumped around, I read my Kindle and enjoyed the breeze and rum punch. They had lunch included for us… which usually scares me… but this was pretty good. Burgers & hot dogs, jerk chicken & pork, and all the fixins. The open bar was mostly beer, mixers and rum punch. The DJs were pretty good about including everyone. They had sand castle building contests and dance lessons for the smaller kids… and Red Stripe beer chugging contests and beach volleyball for the grown-ups. There was even a photographer there taking pictures for you.  I think there was enough to do here to cover a wide age range. The smaller kids really enjoyed the ocean. Us older kids really enjoyed doing NOTHING.

Hubs even found this place right next door…

The best part? NO INVASIVE SEARCHES. Hubs just had to lift his cap up off his head. We went through security with no problems, mon!