It's not a little thing.
Heading out, I usually have my arms full of a baby who is perpetually missing one sock, jackets for boys who race out the door without them, a backpack/diaper bag on my shoulder (which does always contain wipes, I learned my lesson well). I do not have a camera bag. Yet. Luckily (you have no idea) that is about to change. So for now... if I remember the camera, the strap is around my arm and neck, and the camera itself is vulnerably balanced among the mish-mash of baby parts and kid paraphernalia which is surely loaded upon me.
Whew. Did you follow that?
Good.
Having my camera with me yesterday morning meant I got some shots I would otherwise have missed.
It takes courage to whip out a digital SLR at the grocery store (or wherever I may be) to take pictures of the oranges (or whatever screams at me to capture it).
No, I haven't done that yet. But I will!
I want to learn and improve. I want to become confident that I can work with whatever light happens to be there. (Because your on-camera flash will ruin your photos. Every time. There, I said it. And yes, I feel so much better now, thank you. It was rather freeing.)
I have always had an unhealthy anxiety about what other people think of me.
Putting that camera up to my face and standing up on a chair in a crowded room of people (which I have actually done), forces me to be confident.
It forces me to have courage.
Also: My bird expert tells me the Eagle that does not look like a Bald Eagle is likely a juvenile Bald. I was so disappointed that the adult Eagle's head was in a shadow on the second photo. These were shot with my 50mm and cropped down horribly. They could have been so very much better. Time to count my pennies and finally get that telephoto lens ordered. And, I'm still trying to figure out why the blue hue in the first photo is so different from the others. Problems like that are great learning tools as well.
10 comments:
Haha, I know exactly what you mean about pulling a DSLR out in the grocery store! I have done it, but only after making sure that aisle was empty, lol!
I'm completely impressed that you were able to get those pictures with a 50mm. Those are great shots. I just got a telephoto two days ago and I was kind of worried that I shouldn't have bought it, or that maybe I really need a macro instead, but if you check out my latest post, you'll see that I'm SOOOO glad that I bought it!
Anyhow... like you, I feel very self conscious with that camera around my neck. I want to take pictures of "weird" things, but I'm always looking to see if anyone is watching. I need more courage!
However, it's going to take a heck of a lot of courage for me to lug around the telephoto. Talk about conspicuous!
I'm no bird expert, but I know birds a bit. That's definitely a juvenile bald. And for a 50 mm, I agree that's a pretty good shot.
To answer your question on my post...
I used a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS lens. This is the link to it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-GREY/Canon_0345B002_EF_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html
Really, all I wanted was to get some better shots of the birds in my backyard and maybe sneak a shot of the teens when they weren't paying attention. (They don't care to pose for pics anymore.) I never even thought of shooting the moon!
From my viewpoint, those pictures are amazing and the fact that you got those shots on a whim, is pretty darn amazing to me.
I don't really think you get how talented you really are. So don't be ashamed when you climb up on those chairs in big crowds of people to get a good shot, thats a gift and it must be used. :)
holzer29 your words are so very kind. Thank you!
Colleen, when you said "conspicuous" I figured it had to be the 70-200 2.8 (bright white/tan) which I have heard will make my XTi look like "an ant carrying a loaf of bread". I will be forced to be courageous with that thing!
AND I know what was with the variation in the blue! I took the birds-in-tree shot from inside my car, then I stepped out to see if I could get any closer and there you have the birds-flying shots. :)
Hi Jess, thanks for stopping by my blog. Posts are few and far between because 1) my life is pretty much the same day after day. You know, sleep, go to work, eat a bit(or a lot), do a few chores and sleep again. 2) I don't have a camera to take really COOL pictures like you and Colleen do! Maybe someday(sigh) Your eagle pictures are wonderful! You and Colleen have the courage, you just have to let it out.
Ruth
Keep counting those pennies! Brad just got a really nice zoom lens. He loves it and can't wait until we can take another trip to a national park. And your eagle pictures were great! We learned in Feb. just how skittish eagles are...they are airborne before you know it!
Beautiful pictures!
And I know what you mean about finding the courage to just not care if anyone is watching you shoot weird things that you just happen to find beautiful. I'm getting better about it, but not totally there yet.
These are fantastic photos!! And, amazing that you got them with the 50!
I'm working on courage, too. Or, maybe not feeling like a fraud - like I have no clue what I'm doing with this big camera! I stood on the Walmart parking lot last night taking pictures of the sky as a storm moved in. Not brave enough for shots inside the store yet!
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