DSLR Day One

So I made the decision this week to get myself a DSLR camera.  Ever since Henry was born I think about it every 6 months or so but the lists of pros and cons that I find on the internet have always convinced me that it's not for me.  A big thing that turned me off was everyone on the internet saying "If you're just going to use it in auto mode you may as well get a good point and shoot instead".  My mum bought herself a DSLR a few months ago and is still working in auto mode and seeing her pictures had me convinced that that was not true.  

Pictures just look better.  No matter how unskilled a photographer you are, the lens is better and pictures will look better.  And even in the auto modes you have more control over the focus.  And you can take pictures so quickly.  And with a toddler being able to quickly get the shot before they run away is almost worth the $700 camera all on its own.  

I think I do want to slowly learn some of the manual settings but I figure it's no big deal if I never get round to it.  I spend a lot of time on photography (taking pictures, sorting through them) and so I feel like I want to get the best pictures possible.  But I also like the idea of learning a new skill in that time.  

I decided on the Canon T3i and went out and bought it this morning.  Here are some of my pictures from day one with my new camera.  (Yes I feel like even a crummy picture of Henry's toys looks good with my new camera!)

Henry at the Table

Taking and looking at pictures of my Henry is definitely still one of my absolute favourite things to do. I am in love with this series of pictures that Kevin took on Tuesday. Henry wasn't sitting up here long, just trying it out while Kev and I finished up our dinner. I think he got sad because I told him not to chew on the table.

Photography

Since I gave birth to the most beautiful baby ever just over 11 months ago, I have been spending a lot of time and energy on photography. So I figure I ought to try to get a bit better at it. That's also one of the good things about having a blog, it has pushed me to try to improve my photography. Having a blog makes me take more photos, especially more still-lifes and other more unusual type shots. Also it makes me compare my own photos to more than just other people's snap shots that they put on facebook but to the beautiful photos on other people's blogs. That's the number one way to a lovely blog: lovely photos. So I've been trying to make a bit of an effort to become a better photographer.

I don't want to sound like I'm giving tips here, just wanted to post about what I've been working on in the photography department, the same way I like to post about my other projects. But so far taking better photos for me has mostly meant trying really really hard not to have to use the flash. So for me that's mostly meant that now I don't only pick up the camera when Henry's being cute but also when the lighting's nice or when he's being particularly still. Luckily I get quite a bit of light in my house.

I'm also trying to think about interesting angles and all that but I think that might be one of those things that just comes more naturally to certain people.

And every once in a while I think maybe I should buy a digital SLR but my research always leads to the same conclusion. Since I have no desire to spend time learning the manual settings or to take really artsy photos in general (just interesting and beautiful, not artsy), the benefits don't outweigh the extra cost, weight, bulk. I've used the 'night scenery mode' a few times recently and that's enough fiddling with buttons for me. And I'm still happy with my 3.5 year old Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ7.

Taking photos of a baby changes all the time too. I used to set him in a position and then just get him to smile; those days are gone. He moves constantly and I just try to get his face in the shot. And he pulls so many interesting faces these days, capturing a smile doesn't alwasy make the best picture.

Overall, I like to think I am getting a bit better with my photography skills. I hope I can continue to improve.

Nature Walk

We've been getting some lovely warm weather this week and Henry and I have been taking full advantage and going on lots of nature walks. He loves them. We walk to Hillside Park and I take him out of the ergo and let him do some exploring. He gets to check out the creek and the leaves on the ground and the trees. And each day I seem to let him get a little dirtier than the day before.


The past couple days I didn't take my camera and totally just enjoyed the moment but it was so picturesque that today I brought the camera. And so of course it turned into a full on photo shoot and these are some of my favourites.

My artsy photos

Today I attempted some artsy photos of Henry. These were the best I got before he got fed up.


And isn't this the best smile! He has been smiling just about all day today!

Maternity Portraits

At 37 weeks I am looking quite pregnant so we thought we ought to try to take some artistic photos with my big belly. We just looked online at professionals' photos to copy and we think they turned out just as well as theirs.