AngelBQ

Don’t even know where to start. I am just so excited about my new toy that I am just beaming of joy. So Bizzi was having a match and decided to wake up earlier and go with me to shop for the goodies. We bought out subway tickets, but later found out that Bizzi’s younger brother could pick us up. We first went to his bank to withdraw since his atm visa just expired and the other is not working (maybe demagnetized). Closed. So since the majority of our cash is bundled up in his account, we were worried we didn’t have enough in my account to buy all the stuff. Second stop was this small shop who has relatively low prices and specializes in photo equipment. Small space indeed, but many employees and buyers. Seems like a busy place. Ok so we got our external flash SB 600 compatible with Nikon (heavy stuff), a lowepro stealth reporter 200 bag (with space for a camerahouse, 3 lenses and other small items in the front. It had like a baby pouch for additional equipment detachable from the main bag and a memorycard holder with slot for 12 memory card that could also be detached) and an extra battery. Then off we went to this foreign exchange branch of Bizzi’s bank which was opened a little bit longer. Sometimes they didn’t allow withdrawal or only limited amount. This time luck was on our side and we withdrew sufficent funding for the slr. We could have bought the camera in the same place, but this other store was a tad cheaper plus 100 prints included in the price, so we would save like 200-300 kroner. The first branch I went to was sold out. They just sold their last stock the same day, and referred me to a nearby branch. This one had 2 more left. I had analyzed this buy for so long, so when the employee asked me if I already had a lens, I said no, and he said that canon eos 350d (rebel) had a better lens. I debated my research, but was a little disappointed that he mentioned it. First of all, I already bought a flash compatible with Nikon and battery and 2nd I was so excited already and I didn’t want something like this to kill my excitement-especially because I am so perfectionist and overprepared. But I was deadset and just told him that I would invest in a 18-200 NIkkor objective later with the VG stabilizator, in which he said good choice. I took everything out of the box and put it in the bag, and it was a bit heavy. It wouldn’t be something I would unhesitantly bring everywhere and everytime, so the compact camera is still good to have (bizzi suggested we give the coolpix to mom, but I argued that we will still need it, but very kind of him to suggest it. Bless his good heart). And oh by the way we ordered from lensbabies.com and we bought the nikon version 2.0 coming to the mail pretty soon. When me and Bizzi parted, he said something I seldom hear. In Philippines it’s common to part with ingat ka or take care in english. Bizzi said that in Norwegian which is not so usual here, and certainly not for him. I am sure it was because I had valuable stuff with me, but neverthless I had to ask him to repeat it becasue it sounded good.

I started playing around with it once I got home, shooting while reading the manual and other websites for tips and info. Also reviewed the reviews of the cam I researched on to just comfort me from the previous statement of the clerk. I must say that in my 2 days of having it, I already learned a lot. I had no idea about SLR and its settings previously, but is a big step ahead now in the last 2 days. There’s lot to learn. Lots of combination. Endless types of situation, lighting and actions and artistic preference. I also teted the flash a bit and it had some settings on its own. But I feel I need to learn more about the camera and learn about the flash last. Besides I think we will only use the flash indoors in bad lighting conditions.

I made a strategy in learning about slr and taking picture as a self course, and I need to buy that book Understanding Exposure as a supplement:

1. Familiarize with using the camera. Different parts and functions, buttons and reading the displays and indicators. Terminology in slr.
2. More indepth knowledge with how it functions. Especially the mechanic of a lens. Understanding behavior. Cause and Effect.
3. Experiment each setting. Like for example shutter speed with other things constant. Shoot in different setting. Rename the image and put in my camera experimenting folder. For example put it in the shutter speed, white balance, ISO or aperture. Learn about the different modes-manual, programmed auto, aperture priority and shutter speed priority.
4. Experiment by combining settings. Take note and rename image depending on the setting.
5. Then learn about the external flash, functions and settings and what would be appropriate for each situation and lighting conditions.
6. Participate in challenges and prompts. Try different
7. More on rules, tips and tricks to improve photography. Compositon and different styles.

And since I am always very happy to share info I accumulate I will be posting stuff about photography in my scrappy blog or maybe even make one more blog dedicated to photography so that I can follow up development and take notes. Just a quick summary on important things I’ve learned so far; changing the focus area, the four different modes besides from the auto modes and the differnece between the four, exposure (iso, shutter speed and aperture seperately) and how to check the correct exposure from the viewfinder through a scale), white balance, operating the camera, a bit on reading the control panel and depth of field.

Other practical things I also learned so far, you can only view pictures taken in the lcd. So with some practice I unlearned using the lcd to shoot. Also the weight of the camera really gives stability. I just love how flexible it is and all the possibilities and how you can control your shots as opposed to the compact camera. Significant difference, athough I know there are some really nice quality compact camera nowadays, like the powershot G6.

So we opted for the nikon d50 instead of the d70 because of the price difference which paved way for a fancy flash and other additional equipment and also for the fact that it uses sd card like our compact cam. I like NIkon’s interface. I might not have been so satisfied with my coolpix, but it was easy to use. Same with this. It takes a little getting used to in the beginning. Especially if your new to slr.

I really am digging to use manual modes and understanding rather than have it in automode. But I am sure that some situation I can settle for the automode. I been testing a lot with still subjects and indoors. I would need to do some movement or action photos to see the difference in settings. My cousin is soon coming over (sunday) and I will be chasing their cutey son Alexander all around the house to practice on moving subjects, hehe. I am really looking forward to see them again, but also a little anxious when her mom and dad comes from Philippines on tuesday and have them observe the lousy cook I am. In anticipation of them coming here, I set up a cleaning scheme in these next days paired up with camera learning and squeezing in some LO’s since late nights and overstay in the computer is nothing I don’t want them to see. I did some work today. Supposedly it was to be a superficial cleaning of the living room. Fast vacuum, arranging papers and stuff all around and some dusting. I managed to only do the workarea or the computer lounge, whichever you please, but I guess it was the only spot that craved that much attention. The rest would be easy peasy.

By the way, this site helps me in my learning process: http://2peasinapicture.blogspot.com/

I am more concerned about the kitchen, the bathroom and cr and the laundry (wahs of sheets and clothes).

And tuesday I got my mango stuff. I actually liked the color of the bag available on their branch better, but the pumpkin color was interesting too. The jumper/sweater was thin but really nice when put on. It snugged well to the body. This was too comfortable of a shopping. I was called by the deliverer on the cellphone to confirm I was home and he came on the door with an oversized package with a small mango shopping bag inside. Shopping at home sitting down (no cramped testing room and hot spotlights) and delivered to your doorstep with no extra charges.

The day I bought the slr, I met up with sis, and the weather was fab after days of rains and greay weather. It was sunny and decided to eat out. We went to this really nice place with brick walls and brickroad. It was very french countryside like. We ate at a mediterranean place. I simply loved the bread with herbs and seasalt flakes. The 2 different bread was soft and moist just right and so fresh. Yummy, dipped in olive oil that tasted like banana (same as the other place we dined in not so long ago). I had pasta with basil sauce and topped with a juicy chicken piece. It was only me and my sis and although I am with her all the time at home, it’s such a big difference to be outdoors. I talked constantly and just so much to say. I also met some of our friends, a kurdish girl which is the wife of Bizzi’s captain of the soccerteam and my turkish friend who used to be my colleague at Burger KIng.

In one shoeshop that was discounted, there was a funny sign; don’t think just buy. How biased of the signmaker and/or owner.

Baby came home with a fractured arm from the match. Poor thing. He got sickleave for 2 days. So I got him here with me now. And they even lost the match, but he did manage to put in 2 goals which made his status most goals as of now. He has gotten it for the last 2 seasons, so hope he gets it this time around too.

My friend from highschool called from Italy. What a pleasant surprise. Last time she called, she was in Sweden. I never got to hook up with her despite that we were so near each other. I almost did get to meet her when we went to Sweden for a kurdish election, but time wasn’t on our side, so we didn’t manage to arrange it.

Watched smallville today. Clark and Lana is too dramatic, but the girls surely is a stunner.

And last a rant. I had an argument with sis yesterday. I was the bad tempered, she was all mild about it, but neverthelss I was provoked. I shouldn’t be because her intentions is well I know. And I hate it. I hate how I feel about myself afterwards and I hate that it brings out some not so good sides from me, but I hate being pushed to a corner. Oh well, we’re all good now without actually resolving it completely. I just didn’t want to talk more about it. I still feel lousy snapping at a preganant woman particualrly my sister, period. But I do have my own feeligns, and sometimes they are a little hard to control. It makes you lose your cool, your logic and consideration. I just hope no more episodes like that in the future. It’s the last thing I need now with all the issues of not nailing a job and some minor seasonal self esteem issues.

Enough ranting and raving for this time. Watch out for my photography adventure blog and pictures in the near future for those interested in learning photgraphy as much as I do. Might have a seerate photoblog to post my fave pics. Might need to buy an unlimited account at flickr to host my pics, esecially if I am to post high resolutioned images.

Ok peeps. See you pretty soon.