Test shots
October 22, 2007 | Filed under: Fotografias, The object of my obsession
“I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.” ~Author Unknown
I bought a new camera on Friday. A Sony Alpha A100 to be exact, a choice that I did not come to lightly. In fact it took about seven months of decision making and reading reviews and I swear to God that due to my decision making by committee, if anyone ever does actually propose to me, I won’t be the girl that jumps up and down screaming yes. I’ll be the girl that says “Can I get back to you on that one?” and then makes a list only returning with an answer four months later.
Part of the decision making process was figuring out why image stabilization and having a camera body larger than the size of softball, are necessities. Something happened to me prior to birth, some genetic defect in a chromosome that caused my feet and hands to be roughly the size of those of an orangutan. My father and I did an experiment today when I he gave my camera an incredulous look because it’s not a Nikon. My hands are larger than his and he is unable to palm a NBA regulation size basketball; therefore a D40 and Canon Rebel were out of the question unless you want my middle finger to be in each shot. So a Sony it was.
The test shots were to see whether or not the camera actually worked and to see if I could use the lens without breaking it or pulling it off the body. The shots weren’t to test the validity of a bit of noise at high ISO or white-balance. Especially since I didn’t find out what ISO means until 27 seconds ago when I started taking pictures of my new Converse in low light. I pretty much just wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t have to go anywhere near Best Buy’s half ass excuse for customer service anytime in the immediate future.
There will be a string of shots of The Great Thomas the Tank Engine Track Redesign of 2007 (redux); which has no rhyme or reason but after a few glasses of six-dollar cabernet sauvignon and a two year old without pants, a lot of things are really entertaining. More than half of the shots are out of focus except for one of Amy lying on the floor, in the fetal position after Jason ruined all of her hard work. It is a lovely way to remember her by since I won’t see her again until January. The only other shot I enjoy is a photo of trees in the deep woods behind my father’s house in East Bumblefuck, NY. This shot is the only thing that kept me from pulling over on a highway to take a picture of the river and the surrounding mountains. It looks like someone threw the brightest reds and oranges all across a cerulean blue painted sky and sadly it will be over far too soon.
Jen says:
Hey Heather! Just wanted to let you know that I have a Sony digital camera, too. Not as fancy as yours, but it’s a great piece of machinery. My pictures usually turn out really sharp and clear. I can’t wait to see more of your work!
sweetney says:
that pictobrowser thing is RAD! gonna haveta get me some!
mcgee says:
congratulations on your new camera!
slynnro says:
Giant feet- I have them too and they are quite the curse. While you can never borrow anyone’s shoes, the good news is no one can borrow yours. I don’t do lending, so that suits me just fine. Though it would be nice to ask for a shoe in your size at a store and not have someone saw “Seriously?” when you tell them your size.
P.S. I have been to Paris this same time of year and it is perfect- cool, but not cold. And not too tourist flooded.
kerrianne says:
Hurrah! for new cameras. And learning to use them! It’s taken me forever, and mine is tiny and apparently rather simple. Or so Chris tells me.
(I love that quote.)
Mocha says:
How can you live with yourself mentioning that awesome camera and Thomas The Tank Engine in the same post? Shame, shame.
Chin up, though! I have a photo contest going on and you could enter. Possibly even win.
Unless you mention Thomas again. Then? Maybe no.
Dagny says:
Congrats on the new camera. Hope you have loads of fun playing with it and discovering the various features. And I’m going to guess that because you didn’t know what ISO meant that you never owned a 35 mm film camera. Or maybe you did and just didn’t think about it.
Maria says:
Congrats on the new camera. I have small hands, but I prefer a full-bodied camera. I get clumsy when I have to deal with little cameras. Spastic really. Enjoy!
girlgoyle says:
Hum….and here I thought that I was the only one to still use the word bumblefuck. Ha!
Cameras take time to figure out. Have fun with it!
Belinda says:
Oh, wheee! I have the Sony A-100, and I LOVE it. There’s a flickr group for it, but they mostly speak Farsi or something, because it’s way over my head. I say just jump in with both feet and use the thing. Google “Friedman camera manual” and purchase that for downloading–best $20 you’ll spend on camera-related stuff, and SO much more informative than the manual that comes with the camera.
If yours came with a 70-300 lens (mine did, a generic one, but still works great), bust THAT bad boy out and be amazed at the “bokeh” you can create.
Welcome to the Alpha club!!
BOSSY says:
Bossy still can’t drive her Porsche. Doh- she means her “camera”.
Lori says:
Re: your first paragraph, I predict that you will be the one who proposes.
Elizabeth says:
Not that the photo of Amy on the floor isn’t funny, because I can totally relate to wanting to get the train track setup just right, only to have a toddler completely wreck it-but, the Ubiquitous leaf shot? You need to put that on Photrade or istockphoto and make some money off of that bad boy, because it is AWESOME.