I love taking pictures, especially nature pictures and I have a thing for cameras... I have several of them.
I have two DSLRs and several point and shoot digital cameras , (four of them to be exact). My confession is that I had never shot any of them out of the Auto mode before last night. I didn't know how.
Auto has worked very well for me, but I always had to do some tweaking and editing on my pictures before printing or posting on my blog.
All of that is changing, because I am currently taking a photography class. The first class was last night. I enjoyed it a lot and learned so much about my camera. Hands on training is definitely the best way for me to learn.
These shots are the first pictures I've ever taken that was not in the auto mode!
I went to Forrest Park this morning and took most of these pictures there. I'm usually not too crazy about the flowers on hosta, but I love this deep purple flower. It was just buzzing with bee activity.
I've become so accustomed to taking my pictures in the auto mode and for the most part I was happy with them, so I was a just a little uncomfortable when I told the instructor that, "Auto is my friend", and his response was, "It's a stupid friend".
I guess no serious photographer takes pictures in Auto. I don't want to just take pictures, I want to be a serious photographer. So I leave my comfortable friend, "Auto", behind and strive to know how to operate my camera and take better pictures.
If anyone lives in the Indy area and is interested in taking photography classes, might I recommend Indy Photo Coach. The instructor I have is excellent, (even if he did insult my very good friend, "Auto"). Just what I learned about my Canon 50D last night is worth the investment in the class and we have really just scratched the surface.
On a sad note- I'll be away for a few days. My mother-in-law will be having surgery tomorrow on her shoulder that was injured in a fall a couple of months ago. It has been re-injured and the bone is no longer in the socket. She is in the end stages of Alzheimer's and weighs about 90 pounds. There is a chance she might not even make it through the surgery, and if she does make it, the next couple of weeks will be very difficult for her. We are concerned that she will stop eating again and lose even more weight. It is very sad to have to put her through this surgery but we have consulted with the surgeon and those responsible for her care and we feel like it is necessary.Please keep her in your prayers.
Robin, I will be thinking of you and your MIL. I wish the best for all of you. Just take it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to take a class. Like you, I know so very little about my camera or the settings that it has. And reading the instruction book is like reading Greek to me. I am much better with hands on too. So far you seem to be a very apt student. I love the pictures, especially the flag bunting.
Robin, all you photos were so good even before you started lessons. I guess you have a flair for it and I always look forward to seeing your photos in your blog. Now that you are taking classes, good for you! I'm sorry to hear about you MIL. Heres wishing her a smooth operation & recovery.
ReplyDeleteOh Robin, what a tragic thing for your MIL, our thoughts will be with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAs for the photography classes, I had no idea you were an auto gal, like me. Your photos are amazing and I knew you had very good equipment too. Taking a class is the only way to learn, and it seems you are a very quick study! Now to find something like that in my area, then make myself sign up for it. You are an inspiration, thanks!
Frances
First of all, I so happy that you decided to take a photography class. My husband is a proffesional photographer and I know how important it is. Here is his site http://www.danielphotography.ro or his blog blog.danielphotography.ro. Good luck with the learning part!
ReplyDeleteSecond of all, I am so sorry for your mother-in-law... it's hard to deal with situations. I am praying for her and for your family!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRobin, will keep you and your family in my thoughts, hope your mother in law comes through the surgery ok.
ReplyDeleteTaking a photography class is so smart!! I too have a good friend in Auto. Will have to look into classes.
Robin, if I was up there with you I would take this class too. I don't know squat about my camera. It is way smarter than I am because Auto is my guide. Ha...
ReplyDeleteHealing thoughts and prayers are coming your MIL's way.
Sounds like those classes are worth every dime! Auto is my part-time friend. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's very difficult to decide what to do when things are so grim with your MIL. I think I would have chosen the op too, at least she has a chance of improvement there.
Take care!
I never heard of Auto until I got a Canon Rebel a few years back. The Canon film cameras we had didn't have such a mode on them. Or mine didn't. I like to choose and know pretty much what settings to use. You did good for never setting the camera yourself before.
ReplyDeleteOh Robin, my heart goes out to all of you who are making decisions and choices with your mother in law's care.
ReplyDeleteI think I see a "macro-shot" in this list of photos :)
It's fun to play with electronics, get to know them and how they work...especially our camera.
Blessings to you...
Robin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! Glad you enjoyed your lesson. If there's anything else we can do for you, please be sure to let us know!
-David
Indy Photo Coach
Yes Robun,you and your family members are on my prayer list and will continue to be.I happy for you that you have the photoraphy to go back to.Hope fully it does for you what it does for me.It is a way to temporarily forget all the troubles and have fun.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Robin, prayers for your MIL, you and your family! I hope tomorrow goes well.
ReplyDeleteI love the echinecea picture with the bee on it! I must admit I use auto all the time on my digital camera too!
Like you, I'd slipped into the comfortable auto mode myself, Robin. Last year's photography class also catapulted me out of the habit, but I still use auto when I simply want to enjoy the moment. You, your family, and your mother-in-law will be in my prayers, dear. You've had quite a run of family strife lately. Take care of Robin during all this, please.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take a photography class sometime. Your photos have always been wonderful....now they will be really awesome. :-)
ReplyDeleteSaying a prayer for your MIL and you.
Prayers continue for your M-I-L. Those are such difficult decisions to make and I hope all goes well.
ReplyDeleteI planned to take a photography class this summer but will have to delay it. My camera does SO much more than I use and I need to learn about all the features.
I am so sorry to hear that your MIL has to have surgery...she must be in horrid pain for them to risk surgery. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the class...I am a mostly auto camera girl, too! Occasionally I shoot /aperture priority, but I would love to learn more....then I am going to move to a DSLR camera.
Love the photo of the hosta flowers...such clarity! Excellent work
Gail
Your photos have always been so wonderful! But I hear ya on the Auto Mode rut....I don't even have a DSLR (I know, tragic), but even on my sad little Cyber-Shot, I let the Auto setting do all of the work:P
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with your mother in law~~
I have the exact same friend as you...stupid though he may be!!! Kim
ReplyDeleteRobin: My sincerest wish for a gentle healing to take place with your ML and pray that the operation will aid in the healing. I know the ache in ones heart with an aging parent who has suffered too much already. Peace to your ML and hugs to you for being there for her and for finding it in your heart to hold me up in your prayers with my latest journey.
ReplyDeleteI so want to take a photography course..I'm experimenting taking photos out of the auto mode..and hate reading the manual..so far it's been trial and error..Macro is my fav. and I can see that it will probably be yours too. Your macros are fabulous!! Hugs aNNa
I can't believe you've never had a photography class (I thought you were a photographer!) Well, you'll obviously do fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGet out of AUTO mode! ;)
Your photos look great. Everyone uses auto now and then.Especially if you are in a hurry and don't want to think to much. Photo classes will be so much fun. It doesn't matter how much I think I know my camera, I am always able to find something new it can do. These new digital cameras have so many bells and whistles. The main thing is to enjoy your photography no mater how you get the picture.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your family. I hope she goes through the surgery well.
Robin -- I must say, I want to defend your friend, 'Auto,' too. Your photos are always beautiful and striking. Hope you keep having fun with your class. I'm loving the weather here -- we're visiting this week and these cool temps are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWith all the great photos you take, I'm surprised that you've never gotten out of Auto mode! I haven't either, but have been reading photography books instead of a class. It still confuses me, but eventually, I'll give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI hope everything went ok with MIL. I've enjoyed my visit to your blog and the wonderful photos! "Auto" is my friend a lot of the time as well. I'd love to take a class too.. just have to find one around our neck of the woods :) -Tammy
ReplyDeleteYes, let me also defend your buddy Auto. Sometimes there's just too much going on and it's easier to switch to auto than to miss the shot. Plus most cameras these days have very good capability with their auto settings.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Mom in law is healing well, but I know how hard it is to deal with someone in the last stages of Alzheimers. You're all in my thoughts, especially you. You've had a rough year, Robin.
I've been reading photography books too, trying to keep from having to take a class. But it's what I really need to do! I read, and it goes in one ear and out the other. I can't remember it all! Thanks for asking about hubby, he's improving and feels better day by day. How's your MIL doing?
ReplyDelete