My old point-n-shoot stopped pointing and shooting a week or more ago. Bummer. I liked that camera. But I figured this was a good opportunity to trade up to a digital SLR camera (Nikon D3000) that takes significantly better quality photos.
I've been fortunate enough to have some of my photos published in gardening magazines -- all from that little pocket-sized, point-n-shoot camera. But being a designer, I know that the images, while decent, were not magazine quality. Nor did the old camera allow me to take large-file photos suitable for full-page photos or large blow-ups.
I have to get used to a few things. Like looking through a view finder again -- and an "off" switch. The old camera turned itself off after ten minutes of non-use. This one doesn't. I learned THAT the hard way already.
But I love the zoom, select focus, and experimenting with the
settings. I'll also be annoying my photographer friends for techniques I
can use for good garden shots -- except that waking up early to get that
great early morning light. I won't be doing that.
Here's a smattering of my first photos with the new camera.
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| Front yard from my office window. |
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| Coral bell fountain in the coral bell garden. |
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| Couple of the copper leaves I made with some home-made hypertufa planters. |
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| Shoulda' focused on the fish fountain, not the background. |
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| Our summer place. |
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| Had to hack back the five-leaf chocolate akebia and Dutchman's pipe vines so we could see the hanging baskets of million bells. |
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New old project. The checkerboard pattern before had too-thin tiles that broke apart.
And the steppables never took off here the way they did in my head when I imagined this area. It's getting (egads!) grass. |
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| Harry Potter garden. |
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| Persian shield and cigar plant pots this year. Purple and orange. Clashy. |
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| Crocosmia Lucifer looking insect-like. |
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| The scent is intoxicating. This camera doesn't have Smell o' Photo though. |
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| The long view. |
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| Busy garden. Lots of experiments going on... |
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| Raised bed vegetable potager with rose standard and boxwood hedges, surrounded by a dwarf apple tree espaliered fence, fronted by a low bed of ever bearing strawberries. Sounds impressive, but I can't get a damn vegetable to grow! |
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| The coral bell fountain. I messed with it too much in iPhoto. Very contrast-y. |
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The 14-year-old spray-painted the old kitchen stools orange (and everything else in the garage
with them). I don't think the Senior Associate Assistant Chief Gardener is sold on the color. |
Your garden is a delight Jim. Grass will look good in the checkerboard area. I have to replace my Canon G12~I bumped the lens and it has a large scratch; I think I am ready for a dslr, too.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, I keep wishing my point and shot would die so I could get a new camera, but it refuses to obey me.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new D3000. I am considering going in the opposite direction. Because I do my own photography for my articles and column in The Christian Science Monitor, I bought a Nikon D90 and assorted lenses several years ago. Recently I bought a little Panasonic ZS9 to carry around when I walk. The photos have been gorgeous and in some side by side comparisons, are better than the D90. I am tired of lugging all the equipment around (and editing after shooting) so may sell everything and get a top notch smaller camera. Good luck and enjoy your new one!
I'm voting for the orange - but of course I don't live there, so I guess it doesn't count. The garden is looking marvellous. Enjoy your new toy. The Consumers report just came out and found myself lusting after a new camera. Unfortunately will have to wait and satisfy myself by following your photo progress over the next few months.
ReplyDeleteB
Looking good! You need grapes and I need a glass of wine...
ReplyDeleteOr you need slate and pint of beer.
My place or yours????
Al
Gail,
ReplyDeleteThanks. Grass it is. Bought some that'll do okay in partial shade. Too bad a bout your camera too. It's like learning to shoot all over again for me. I have to read my manual - last SLR camera I had was NOT digital!
Deborah@KG,
Give it time. It'll come to its natural end.
The Dirt Diaries,
I can see where you're coming from. I liked the portability of the point-and-shoot. Being able to carry it around in a pocket was great. There's no way to be discreet with this new one.
BarbaraPC,
Well, that's one vote for the orange barstools. Two if you count mine. Kinda' reminds me of my mom's kitchen chair colors from the '70s.
Anonymous Al,
I don't need grapes I tell you! Been down that road. The pint sounds good though. Your garden or mine?
Your garden is lovely! x700.
ReplyDeleteI love that little blue swing and checker board area. I think the orange stools are fantastic! Yay daughter :-)
Thank you Ruth! Yay daughter indeed.
ReplyDeleteHaving a new camera is fun. I still have functions on mine that I haven't really explored. I have a 'pocket' camera and a bigger one that I should know better how to use.
ReplyDeleteLove that Coral Bells fountain....a lot!!
I think the orange stools are fun.
I use a pocket Cannon Elph for all my photos on the blog. (Hey, don't say it looks that way!) I am glad others found the tiny mite as useful as I have.
ReplyDeleteAnd Swimray - your photos are excellent! I do miss unobtrusively having a camera in my pocket!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun, a new camera! I do love the orange stools although orange is supposed to stimulate the appetite which often needs no stimulation. HA! Beautiful photos.
ReplyDelete