Sunday, January 4, 2009

eye spy.

Otherwise known as, how my camera is making me nutty.
Now that I have my new camera, I am constantly behind the lens trying to get a feel for it.
I still feel a bit uncomfortable and intimidated by
all the dials and switches.
I think I have read the instruction book about 15 times cover to cover.
But, nothing beats just
getting out and doing it.
It's funny what becomes art when you have a new camera.
Everything.
Life art, I guess.
Highlights in fibers and weave is fascinating when you have a new camera. An older couple was walking by us as I was snapping shots of my pants. Did I really care-- no. But I am sure they though I was a loon.
I made sure to check for those old fogies that caught me taking photos of my pants before I tried any more funny business-- like shadow shots.
Wrinkles and ripples are fascinating when you have a new camera. This $5 bill smiles for the crazy lady with the camera.
I have about another 150 pictures just like this one. My hands are a popular subject right now, even beating out my own camera sick family who are a little regretful of this gift and the constant prodding to "smile"!
And OH! Please don't tell me I am really going to post this next one...
What was that about wrinkles and ripples? My dear little camera makes sure to pick up each one of them!
You should have seen my husbands face when he caught me all hunkered down by the dripping faucet. (Believe me, the least amount of time I can spend in the boys bathroom-- the better!) But, that sphere of water was worth all the 39 other shots that missed.
My fruitless pear tree produces these little "cherries" as the kids call them, and I was so inclined to take a picture-- I trudged through cold and damp grass to snap a few. If my grandmother were still alive, the mention of that part alone would have left her up for many sleepless nights wondering if I would survive another year without catching my death a cold.
It was worth getting the ends of my pants all soaked and dead grass clippings all over my feet though, those steely grey skies are some of my favorite.
Oh, and sometimes I really use my camera for things which it was intended, like capturing the essence of the holidays. I have always wanted to take a photo like this-- and now I can!

One of my favorite shots so far is on top of a hill in AZ (where I spent Christmas last week) of one of my favorite cities. Prescott!
It was bitter cold, and with the break in the clouds, it was the perfect opportunity to whip out my camera for a shot of my old home.

33 comments:

forever folding laundry said...

Prescott!! My mom's side of the family all live in Prescott (& PV). I love it there. What fun!

My boys give me a hard time for taking pics of random things as well. Like my salad at lunch one day: "Mom, why are you taking pictures of food?" They don't get it. =)

Susie said...

I have got to get a new camera!!! Those pictures are awesome!!

Trish said...

I was just enjoying you enjoying your camera, when BAM! You made me cry for home with that last photo!

You have the newer version of my camera, which Shane got seawater on last summer and doesn't work all that great anymore. Somehow, taking your camera on a jetski ride to Catalina Island across open ocean voids the warranty. Go figure! I guess he'll just have to buy me the 15MP one next, huh?!

And you're right. Those first 39 photos were worth the wait for the awesome drip shot! Wait until spring. You'll be out shooting millions of itty bitty bugs, blooms, and dust molecules. My favorite photos are my ones of insects! :0) It's the gardener in me, I guess!

Jessica said...

So what kind of camera did you get? I have a Canon Rebel xti and i absolutely love it...still trying to figure out how to work all those fancy buttons too!

Jessica said...

So what kind of camera did you get? I have a Canon Rebel xti and i absolutely love it...still trying to figure out how to work all those fancy buttons too!

Emily said...

I have about the same thing, a Canon Rebel XSI... and buttons and switches are a bit confusing. I think I need to take a class!

Tami said...

Wonderful pictures love the water dripping out of the faucet...I so need a new camera!

Glad you are back to blogging again!

Tracy P. said...

Yea, you're back! Boy, do I have camera envy! Love the water and the Christmas lights--YUM.

I have like a zillion pictures of the designs on my shoes from when I got my new camera. And I also remember, though somewhat vaguely, when I had a FEW FINE wrinkle lines! I have earned each and every one. ;-)

Elena said...

They are all beautiful! I wish I just had an OUNCE of photography talent. These are SO fun to look at. I'm so glad you're posting some things again.

Dawn said...

STINKER! I knew you were in town last week and you didn't call. I'm a little sad...glad you got to come home and visit your parents though, maybe next time. Stinker.

aubreyannie said...

wait! what? when did you get a new camera. and what kind is it? i am so jealous. and LOVE that water drop shot. i've always wanted to take a shot like that. nice job, emily. and hooray for not going private!

the duchess said...

What artisitic shots. Although, I don't know what you're talking about "fine lines & wrinkles". There must've been something on your lens.

Kelley said...

Emily- Congrats on your new camera. I'm still saving. It will be fun to watch you learn and grow, I'll follow your lead. I love the new blog. I'll certainly miss photos of those precious boys though. I learn a lot from them since mine are a few years behind! We had a "challenging" year and I loved your blog so much- it was a nice retreat for me every time I was able to escape and read a post or two. It kept my creative juices goin' when I was tired and motivated me to get stuff done around the house when I saw how much fun you made it look. Sorry for the long post...just glad to see you back!!!

Becky said...

That is one cool camera! I'm having camera envy especially over the drippy faucet.

Anonymous said...

Emily...love your new photos!! Pretty soon you will be just as adept with this camera as your old one!

You are so right about Grandma...she would have had many a sleepless, worried night about various things, including you out in the damp, possibly catching pneumonia! Haa...can you believe she would have been 91 today?

We loved having you all come and visit...what fun it was. Memories to cherish!!

Jennifer said...

Very cool pics. How fun-- a new camera! =)

jen said...

i just got a nikon d50 ... and am still figuring it out.
i have taken over 600 random pictures in the last week.
i need someone to teach me too! if you find a good online course ... let me know!
i found a few good bits of info on people's blogs ... but nothing too just right yet.

Mama Yo said...

Those fancy cameras are a lot of fun! Here is my fave site to go for learning, ideas, and inspiration!

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/

Glad your back - we've missed you!

Jennifer P. said...

Emily is blogging again and life is in balance once more!!!

I'll miss pictures of the boys, but I think I'm lucky enough to maybe get an invite to the private blog--no ;)?!

I always did wonder what you'd be able to accomplish with a great camera since the ones with your point and shoot were so awesome! and yup---you don't disappoint! Your pictures are lovely!

Thanks for not giving up Em!

Brian and Staci said...

So glad you are back up and running!!! Hey, I also thought about you the other day...I think I recall you HAND peeling all those apples for your apple pie...WELL, my dear friend, Bed Bath and Beyond has A GREAT apple/peeler/slicer/corer all for $20! And if you keep their coupons (they always honor them, they never expire!) you can get an additional 20% off! YAY! I love our's! It gets used almost daily by my boys around here! Good to see you again!

-Melissa- said...

cool pictures! Glad to see you blogging again. :)

Beth said...

Love them, as usual! And you are far too young to have 'fine lines & wrinkles', for the love of Pete. Pffft.

What font did you use on those photos? I have been looking for just that font! You must tell me! *shakes you*

And I am so envious of your new camera. I would be doing the same thing. I can't tell you how many more photos I would take, if only I had a GOOD camera with which to take them. Sigh.

I'm glad you are getting settled in to the new blog/way of blogging.

xoxo

Beth said...

Oh, I forgot to mention...

I *heart* Regina Spektor. :) Fidelity was the first song that came on when the page loaded. Wee!

Gina said...

It makes me want a new camera all the more now!!! Such fantastic pictures!

hoLLy said...

SLRs are the bomb. i love the pictures-especially the drip drop one. that is awesome.

Tamie said...

awesomeness that you caught the drip in the faucet---that is A-mazing. (and the other 39 shots were worth it for the 40th one!)

Erin S. said...

I LOVE the water drip! How awesome is that?!?

Amanda said...

Sigh. I'm in love with your camera too! What kind is it again (as I find myself in urgent need of one).

BTW -- That water drop photo is awesome! Worth every minute in a boy's bathroom.

Unknown said...

YAY for your new camera! I am soooo happy for you! Great pictures. I love the dipping faucet one!

becki said...

what a fun gift. i'll have to practice and learn with mine, make it my new best friend.

Emily S. said...

oh, Em-- I REMEMBER that!! I LOVED those weeks of NEW CAMERA-NESS!!

Yay for you and for discovery. I am thrilled for you. It was LONG overdue!!

:)

How Sweet It Is-A lifestyle blog said...

Those pics are awesome! LOVE to read your blog. I'm glad I found it.

emily said...

i can really appreciate all of these photos . . . my husband gave me a dslr for christmas too! so i have been doing the exact same thing!

and i'm glad to see you are blogging again . . . i have been a daily reader for sometime now and love all the great ideas you share with us!