The most difficult thing about a new camera should not be finding the time in which to use it. Between Child A getting the stomach flu, Child B getting a cold, Horse C getting an abscess, 3 hours of dental work leaving me a ball of misery and whine for two days, and stupidly forgetting to take the gear out of the trunk on my one day off before the wife drove off with it... well, you get the idea. However. It is there. Waiting for me. Calling my name. Whispering.. Michealle.. Michealle, come take piiiiiiiikshuuuuuuurs. Ehem. At least I found some time to read some of the manual!

Now. To the assignment. Decisive moment is hard. Hard. Glares. People glare. Oh my gosh do people glare. They also gawk. Some of them -dive- out of the way if they think they are in your photograph. Kids sometimes strike poses and try to fill your frame. You want me to adjust my settings and get the shot off before the moment goes away? Ouch.



At one point at the ice skating rink, I sat at the base of the ramp while the zamboni was going around. I was taking pictures of kids coming down the ramp, or goofing off at the top.. well, whatever, I figured the ramp was a good spot. I had my camera up in front of my face and my finger waiting to go, just knowing that -something- had to happen soon. The guy in the right of this picture got so uncomfortable and squirmy that I finally realized that he thought I was taking pictures of him. I shifted my camera a bit, took a picture, then compassionately lowered my camera. Of course, right after that this girl in bright orange stockings goes rail hopping.

Step one: Get out around more people and action. Step two: Don't give a damn if they glare, gawk, dive, pose, or squirm. Step three: Learn lightning-fast super-shutter reflexes! Step four: Take picture. Social intimidation much? I think so!

I got a new camera. What's the first thing I do with the darn thing? Take pictures in the car, of course. On auto mode, and over my shoulder since I get carsick. Still, I am entertained!



I'm now going out to work in my decisive moment some more. It's going to take me a while to figure out the camera controls and what not, but I figure I can practice and do my homework at the same time. I also got a new flash card to replace my horrible one that betrayed me after four years of reliable service. The new one is also faster, to match the new fast camera. In fact, the new camera is so fast that I have to train myself to anticipate a little less. I kept getting pony strides off of their ideal capture point. Sobad.

I almost feel guilty. Almost. Nomnomnom.










Edit @ 6:38pm: My favorite from today, taken through the plexiglass at the side of the rink. Taken during sunset. 800ISO, 50mm, f4.0, 1/2000

Framing + getting a shot in a split second = zomg difficult.

Hurrah for more excuses to shoot and creative feedback. This post is more to kick off the new semester assignment blog than anything else. Here's to the next few months full of shooting.

Oh. Also, flowers AND bunny. Can't beat that. Ha!



I took this years ago on my N80. No clue anymore what film or settings.