Patience is not something that I have a lot of (just ask my family). I get frustrated easily when things don’t happen the way I want them to, or as quickly as I want them to. I want what I want and I want it right now! My biggest want right now is a DSLR camera. I haven’t narrowed down the exact model yet, but I’m pretty sure I’ll go with a Canon when the time comes. Photography is my latest obsession and while I still don’t really know what I’m doing, I get enough good shots that I want a better camera. It’s a big purchase and one that is hard to justify when money is as tight as it is. Plus, I still have so much to learn and am not sure I’m far enough into it to justify the cost either. The whole thing just seems so far out of reach, but I know if I stretch far enough I’ll get there some day. I just have to have patience – and a plan.
For now, my short-term plan is to save as much as I can. If you see ads popping up on my web sites, this is why. All advertising money I make is being saved up in my PayPal account for my new camera. It is trickling in slowly, but it’s a start. A couple months ago when I had my surgery (and was in need of a pick-me-up) I decided to spend everything that I had saved for some new lenses to extend the abilities of my current camera (a Canon Powershot S5 IS). It satisfied the want for a while, but now I’m back to wanting the DSLR and starting all over with the saving. I’ve listed my guitar on craigslist again to see if I get any bites on it and am trying to come up with other things I can sell for a little money.
The other part of my plan is to learn as much as possible while I’m saving. I could spend hours upon hours just looking at beautiful photos, but I need to get beyond the “wow” and start figuring out how the photographer pulled off that amazing shot. I need to learn more about manual settings, finding the perfect lighting, and posing. I also need to figure out how to get a 20 month old child to hold still for more than one second (any tips on that would be very welcome).
This weekend was one of those that had me sitting around wishing and longing for the day when I have the camera I want in my hands. It was absolutely beautiful outside. The sun was shining, it was warm, and I spent most of the day Saturday outside with the kids. First was a birthday party for a day care friend, then we played outside until it started getting dark (which came entirely too early). The kids had a blast and I really enjoyed experimenting and taking tons of photos. When I cleaned off my camera card later, I had taken nearly 400 photos. I also discovered that my hard drive I store my photos on is completely full. Guess I’ll have to deal with that soon!
I spent much of the weekend dreaming, formulating, and contemplating. I want this to be a real thing. I don’t want to give up on it like so many of my other hobbies. I’m thinking of all the possibilities that this photography thing could open up. I keep going back to how much fun I have with a camera in my hands. I think I might finally know what I want to be when I grow up. And it’s scary. I still have a lot of growing to do.
And even if my hubby laughs at me while I experiment, at least I can still get him to pose for me now and then. Now all I need is a little more patience.
You already take very beautiful photos, specially of your kids. I look forward to when you finally get the DSLR of your dreams 🙂
You are taking wonderful photos Dee!! I took some award winning photographs with my Kodak Z740 which is a very crappy version of the camera you are currently using! I was exactly like you and forced myself to learn all i could about photography, I even borrowed my Dad’s OLD pentax SLR (no D on that) so I could figure out what all the settings meant etc.
I burned through about 10 rolls of film and didn’t get too many photos worth keeping (a few treasured ones of my Grandpa though, bless his soul) but it was a great experience.
I have befriended a lot of Pro photographers on Flickr over the last few years and they very often cough up a lot of their secrets and how they achieve a lot of the ‘magic’ that you see in their photos. It was a HUGE ‘AHA” moment for me when I realized that the edited everything that they show to the public. No wonder the stuff coming out my camera wasn’t looking the way I wanted.
You know how to capture an active kid? Set up your tripod. I sat Nolan on the floor with some crackers and the TV behind me and with the camera on the tripod I had my hands free to distract him. When he was looking good and not moving I would click away. It worked really well for me. Smarties work well too if you can get your shots off before they smear candy all over their face. LOL
okay- cameras are a subject close to my heart so I have so much to say it’s ridiculous!!
I hope you get your camera soon! Grow paypal account grow!
I love taking photos, but I’m not a photographer. My sister is but she lives in Colorado and I live in California so it doesn’t leave much time for lessons…. poop!
I like your photos, hope Santa is extra nice this year. 😉
[…] no big secret around here that I want a new camera, a DSLR, to be more specific. I know, I can’t stop talking about it. I’m saving […]