Isn’t she beautiful? A friend let me grab a few shots of her and her little one with the borrowed digital. A cropping or two and a b&w switch later, and voilà, a cute baby photo.
I’ve really struggled being pulled into the whole digital photo arena. Not that I’m really in it, I use my mom’s camera. I’ve loved taking photos for as long as I can remember, and I’ll take a picture of just about anything. The underside of an overpass, my boot, an air vent or anything else that strikes me as interesting. I get a lot of weird looks from some family members, but I really don’t care. It interests me, I learn every time I shoot, and it brings me joy.
I get the biggest kick out of getting the perfect shot. I was soooo excited a few years back when I bought my zoom lens (75-300mm) because it completely opened up potential shots for me. Really, I was on cloud 9 and wasn’t coming down anytime soon. One day I’ll share some of my favorite shots using that lens. They’re all film, so I’ll have to scan them. But, anyway, there is nothing like the thrill of getting the perfect shot.
I’ve never been one much for cropping and filters and all that. They do make for some awesome photos, but I’ve just never been big on editing photos. I like to be able to show a photo and say, “This is what I captured.” I like the authenticity. I like the validity of the moment and the image. I like the purity of it. Call me a snob, call me a traditionalist, call me whatever. It’s just how I like to shoot.
So that brings up to May of this year when I started blogging. Ahh….blogging. Blogging has brought me an avenue of expression, a new job, some new friends, and a new medium in which to share my photos. Photos that are much easier to share if they’re digital. Photos that are so easy to edit and become useful when they’re shot digitally, cropped digitally, edited digitally, enhanced digitally, etc. So, while I’m not completely switched over, I am becoming very used to the benefits (endless shooting w/o worrying about running out of film, knowing immediately whether or not I got the shot, sharing photos wayyyy easily) and enjoying them immensely.
And, really, how could I not love it? I shot, downloaded, cropped and changed the color on this photo in less than 10 minutes. And I think it’s pretty darn cute, yeah?
BTW-I did ask my friend before I posted this photo. You’ll never find me publishing a photo of someone else’s child without permission! Thanks, friend, for letting me share it. And thanks to the other friend who was with us (who takes great photos) who said, “Maybe you should have her turn more toward the light.” One of those “duh” moments for me. Thanks, friend, for helping me get the right shot! 
Remember before the digital camera? We spent so much money on film and processing only to find out all the pics were blurry! I love this digital age!
Local Girl: That was so frustrating to think I had a great shot on a roll only to wait a few days to get it back and it wasn’t as nearly as wonderful as I’d thought it would be!!! Definite benefit to digital there!
All forms of creativity and proper learning of the use of a camera and proper exposure and working for a shot were completely lost with the advent of the digital camera. Film is still far superior. Unfortunately those who were never serious photographers will never realize that. The fact is that if film were to be converted to digital an AVERAGE 35mm film would be equivalent to a 20 megapixel picture! Can you even imagine a 20 megapixel camera!? and the cost!? High quality 35mm film is equivalent to 30 or 40 megapixel! Now get those film cameras out and EARN your shots.
I have been playing with my camera for a while not, not really as much as I’d like to, but I don’t do much as often as I’d like to due to my devotion to my job, but that’s another subject. So yeah, I’m saving my pennies (really, I will not spend anything but change on this) for a really nice digital camera with lenses that I can focus myself! I’m so tired of autofocus cameras! I once had my hands on a really nice 35mm and oh, the joy! So one day, I’ll have saved up enough for a good digital. Until then I’ll keep playing with my little one, taking pictures and plastering them on the walls of my house…
You know, someday I think it might be fun to get a whole bunch of shutterbug friends togther and have a little art show. A little art, a little wine, some good conversation among friends… Let me put that on my list… Yes, #1,256,924 – Put on Art show. I’ll get right on that.. as soon as the number comes up.