She’s not very soft, and I’m not sure she likes to cuddle. Breastfeeding is most definitely out of the question, but she’s quiet and already makes me proud.
My new DSLR arrived yesterday and I’m IN LOVE!!
Oh… you thought this was about the baby, didn’t you? Gosh, I’m so sorry to get your hopes up like that. No, *she’s* still hanging tight in my uterus for now. The midwife thinks it will be another couple of weeks. I can see how you would get confused. You’re not going to believe me when I really do announce the baby now, are you? Whoops. But she IS like a baby. I mean, she needs her own bag, and she doesn’t tell you what you’re doing wrong… you just have to, like, try to figure it out while simultaneously not losing your mind and shaking her because, apparently, it’s bad to shake cameras, too.
I have a couple weeks-ish to figure out how to use this thing well enough to take some half decent pictures of the new human baby when she does come. I’m not going to lie, I’m utterly overwhelmed. I don’t know what f stops are and apertures and exposure <<GREEK. TO. ME. I know I don’t want to spend all this money on a fancy camera only to ever shoot in auto, but I can’t even get past the 2nd page of the manual without wanting to cry out for a Cliffs Notes version.
She’s quite the hefty investment, and a combination late anniversary/ Christmas/ 2nd baby/ Valentines/ 30th birthday gift. I’m officially not getting anything nice for a long, long time, but I promised Scott I’d make up for the cost by learning how to take amazing pictures of our kids. The pressure’s on. I’m also looking at this as a “business expense” for the blog because, let’s be honest, this place isn’t all that aesthetically pleasing, and I’m hoping the new fancy pictures will look beautiful on the new fancy blog theme I’m planning to roll out soon.
I’ve only had her for a day, and haven’t had a chance to really play that much because, well, there is a lot going on around here… and the house is/was a disaster. I needed to de-clutter a bit and do some dishes. (Note- If you’re the type who tends to put off doing dishes until there are no clean glasses to drink from, don’t buy a mega pack of new drinking glasses on Black Friday, essentially multiplying your drinking glass collection by 5. This results is what I like to call a dirty dishes avalanche.)
Here are a few of the shots I did manage to get last night. Go easy on me! Remember, GREEK. It can only get better from here, right?
These were all taken on auto, I guess, but on the no-flash mode. I used my 50mm 1.4 lens. OH! And I’m sure some of you want to know what kind of camera it is. I wound up with the Canon EOS Rebel T2i, and am very, very happy so far. It even does HD video, but I think I need to master stills first before I delve into that.
Of course, now the addiction begins. Not only do I want a cute camera strap and a fun camera bag (though I’m really thinking of just modifying my old Petunia Pickle Bottom shoulder bag to make it work), but I want to sign up for classes and forums and I won’t even LET myself look at anymore lenses because, well, SLIPPERY SLOPE. Hear that? That’s the sound of me hemorrhaging money and time. Yeah, both of which I really don’t have and certainly will be tapped dry after this baby comes.
Soooooo…. wish me luck! I have a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful, awkward, strained, trying, expensive relationship.
Kendall is 2.5 and suddenly has a small interest in standing still for 2 seconds while saying “cheese!” and I’m 38 weeks pregnant.
35 comments
Fabulous! You need to check out The Pioneer Woman’s photography blog. She has some great posts that will walk you through aperture, ISO, and shutter speed.
What a great idea, I am still trying to convince Casey of our need for one.
Congrats on the newest member of the family!!
Congrats on your newest addition. I just got my new dSLR last Thursday. Youre totally right that it is like a baby in that it doesn’t tell you what it needs. I have no freaking clue how to work this damn thing, but it’s so pretty anyway 🙂
have not even read your post yet. had to comment that you gave me a HEART ATTACK. ok maybe not. but I got all excited as I fell DIRECTLY into your trap. you’re sneaky, you.
I totally envy you the camera though… someday… *sigh*
Have fun with your new baby! The camera rocks and you’ll get the hang of it eventually.
Congratulations! You will not be disappointed. The Rebel series cameras are great and you can totally teach yourself to use it. Take loads of pictures and have loads of fun!
Beautiful pictures! You are on your way to being a famous photographer methinks!
Very nice! It’s basically the newer version of mine. Did you go with any other lenses besides the nifty fifty? You’re going to want at least a basic zoom lens… and don’t even look at LensBaby.com, okay? Just… don’t. And if you do, don’t blame me when Baby Girl is clad in Kendall’s hand-me-downs because you’ve spent the baby money on lenses. 😉 😛
No, this is my only lens for a while probably since it was so expensive. My brother is a photographer and assured me this would be enough for now. Maybe I can look into a good zoom this summer. Oh, and I’m already familiar with Lensbaby… and that’s a bad thing 😉
amazingly easy to understand series on how your camera works, and how to work it. I http://my3boybarians.com/31-days-series/
also- SO jealous you got the 50mm/1.4. I have the 50mm/1.8 under my tree… just couldnt convince hubby i needed an almost $400 lens 🙁
also- and insert for your petunia bag to make it camera friendly- http://www.amazon.com/DSLR-Camera-Insert-Compact-Shipping/dp/B00348J5Q0/ref=pd_sbs_a_8
and I ADORE these straps on etsy, they have a little pocket to stick your lens cap in, so you dont lose it!!! http://www.etsy.com/listing/62718062/modern-flowers-and-stripes-camera-strap?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_query=camera+strap&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmade
You rock! Thanks!
you are a jerk. i totally fell for the “baby is here” trick… i was like “she’s ALREADY decided on no breastfeeding?!” hahaha! have fun with the new “baby” – i’ve got the T1i and love it!
nicky
Yay…I love my DSLR (although…shhhh….it’s been almost 3 years and I still end up on auto once in awhile)!
Do you ever read Bower Power? She’s a quirky girl who is finding her way through photography and is posting really REALLY easy to follow help along the way.
If you don’t know her, here’s a link to her photo page: http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/photo/
Good luck and have fun with your new baby…and soon your new baby 😉
Awesome! Thanks for linking me up. Will check her out 🙂
Oh my GOD! You got the camera I have been drooling over for almost a year…
For beginner shots, those are pretty good! Did the place you bought the camera from offer a free lesson? If not, alot of camera stores offer classes that you can sign up for.
I am so JEALOUS! I’m still trying to convince hubby that we need a better camera for pictures of our boys. The amount that we will save in family pictures at Wal-Mart will pay for the camera alone! haha
Congratulations! (And you had me going too! I though baby girl was here!)
No, I got it online from B&H. I don’t think I could find time for classes right now anyway, but I’m hoping I can do some self teaching with the help of the magical interwebz. Thinking of singing up for clickinmoms.com
Best of luck! I love my Rebel xsi and it does take some getting used to! If you have time (hahaha, I know!) go to your library and see if they have any digital photography books. They were a wealth of knowledge for me!
when i saw you tease the post on twitter i was like “aww yeah the baby is here” and as soon as i went to click the link thats when i realized it was a cleverly disguised marketing ploy LOL. glad you’re having fun with your new baby.
Big spender! I just got that one a month or so ago. Absolutely love it. You definitely won’t regret it. Better read that manual now because once baby comes you’re screwed! Lol. I haven’t touched the thing yet.
Yay! I love my Rebel, though it did take me a while to figure out how to use it… that may be because I got it a week after my son was born. I have a Rebel EOS for Dummies book that is WAY more helpful than the manual. Maybe that would be better for you!
OH! I need that!
Congrats!
I have a Canon Rebel and love it. The single best thing you can do is put in the Auto on the little icon of running man – so you can take a zillion shots in a row. It is how I’ve gotten all my best shots of Ella. You just keep pressing shoot and one out of 50 is spectacular. 🙂
I bought mine a few years ago with a work bonus and have yet to take it off auto. I even signed up for a photog course at the local CC but dropped it when the prof turned out to be an ass.
Anyway, you can get a LOT out of it before learning f-stops, etc.
If you love photography at all, you are going to LOOOOOVE the DSLR. Don’t worry about Auto – you’ll get out of it eventually. Just learn the feel of the camera first, and work your way through the manual slowly – don’t try it all at once, because it IS incredibly overwhelming. I don’t have a very good lens yet, so I still end up on auto with flash sometimes in bad lighting because I have no other choice.
Crap! I am so gullible. I totally thought you’d had the baby! So, ya got me 🙂
I have had my Canon Rebel for 2 years now and still have no idea how to use it. I have tried in vain.
But I just bought the same lens you have for your camera and now I am going to take a class and buy the “rebel for dummies” book. I really really want to take good photos. It’s something I’ve always wanted!
Good luck to you trying to figure “her” out!
Both of you girls need to go straight to http://www.digital-photography-school.com (do not pass go, do not collect $200) for simple, straightforward articles on the basic exposure triangle: aperture – (those are your f-stops), shutter speed, and ISO. The lessons range from very, very basic up to the more complex.
Your manual is a must-read, but first get a good understanding of the basics from DPS. I promise… the lightbulb will come on quickly if you spend a little time on that site!
Jill… lens lust is a VERY slippery slope, but just FYI, I have several sweet lenses, including the 85mm 1.8 and the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 and yet my 50mm 1.4 is on my camera 90% of the time. LOVE. It’s all you’ll need for a good long while. 🙂
Sorry… here’s a more direct link. 🙂
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-tips-for-beginners
Congrats on your new addition 😉
You’ll get the hang if it. My favorite lenses are my 50 1.4 and my 35 1.8, they’re all I use. I used only my 50 for an entire year before I bought more lenses and it’s still my favorite lens 🙂 The book Understanding Exposure is great! It’s also helpful when you’re first starting out to put your camera on Shutter priority and set it for at least 125 to capture running toddlers and squiggly babies 🙂
Have fun!
Ahhh I want an SLR SO SO SO bad. My hubby was reccomending the Rebel too. I dont know anything about lenses either but it sounds like you got a good one. How did you choose and how much am I needing to budget for this!!!
Yay for Canon’s! I have a Rebel XT, and I’m picking up a new lens this weekend. I love my camera, and am super jealous you got the one with video!
If you eventually get some free time, there is a 12 week “course” that takes you through all the basics, and I found it REALLY helpful. You don’t have to do it in 12 weeks, but it gets you more comfortable with the settings on your camera!
http://sites.google.com/site/biowbiow002/twopeas_12week
So jealous! I would love to get that camera. I can’t wait to see the pictures that you take with it.
*sigh* now THAT makes my uterus skip a beat. She’s beautiful. 😉
My husband is very jealous. He has an XSi and I have an XT, but I’m selling it and getting a fancy point-and-shoot because, well, it’s Greek to me, too. And I discovered I just don’t have the patience or inclination to learn Greek. 🙂 My husband is running with his new hobby, though.
Also, about lenses… Craigslist. Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist. It’s the only way we can afford for him to add to his toy collection like he wants. Well, not like he *wants*, but as close as he can get at the moment.
Not that Petunia Picklebottom bag wouldn’t make a cute camera bag, but you should check out Jo Totes jototes.com – their bags are great!
Also, I bought my camera strap from Etsy seller Cotton Candy http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottoncandybynatalie and it is awesome and reversible for double the pretty!