First off, let me clarify
First off, let me clarify that it is my belief that motorized lawn mowing at 8:00 in the morning should be a felony.
That being said, this morning was a on again off again exercise in frustration. My plan was to leave beautiful EL sleeping peacefully while I snuck away to take some snippety-snap at the trusty arboretum. I learned a few things today:
1. Macro photography is a royal pain in the ass when you're limited to f8.0
2. Professional photographers tend to be territorial and antisocial as opposed to amateurs that are generally curious and friendly
3. The best way to shorten battery life is to play with manual full flash
4. Focus bracketing is a good way to tear through a half gig compact flash like a hot knife through butter
5. Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase.
I only mention that last bit because the source of my frustrations have been directly related to camera limitations yet some of my photography role models work through similar limitations and get spectacular results. My issue is simple: cross platform compatibility. I know exactly what I need to implement to take my shots to the next level, but it would be money wasted because eventually I will have to go to an SLR body and the duct tape solutions I use now wont transfer. Ugh! I've seen this coming for some time now. I've saved up some money for a camera purchase. It's been that much easier to justify since EL has expressed a lot of interest in having a digicam of her own. It seems that every time she wants to take a picture of anything, I have the camera. It's practically an appendage forever attached from my torso. I'm sick. I need help. I actually dream about photography at night these days. The more I cuddle my indecisiveness, the more it becomes evident that an SLR body is what I really, really, want for my birthday.
So, tonight is looking to be stacked up. Mike invited us down to League City to have a drink at his place and check out his dining room set for purchase. We need furniture in a bad way. We are tentatively scheduled to meet Irfan for dinner at Raven Grill. I've never been and know nothing of it. EL and Éclair are out at the park right now. I've been uploading more photos that didn't quite turn out like I wanted and searching for airline tickets to Minnesota that don't cost an arm and a leg. I think I'm going to end up spending some air miles to buy my ticket and then just pay for the other two (EL and mom) outright. Airlines are so damn irritating with their constant ticket price fluctuation and flight schedule changes.
Here are a few snaps from this morning... more of the same familiar faces. The Mercer Arboretum has a new bloom cycle every two weeks through the year. It takes time to find new subject matter in the same location, so I tend to spend my photo outing playing with different exposure techniques to see what works and what doesn't. Usually, the result is hundreds of photos that are complete and utter shit. There are a few that are worth keeping and fewer still worth sharing, but I don't mind because I learn something new each time I go. Someday that stuff might amount to some real wall hangers. That's what I'm shooting for... heh. Anyhoo, here be pictures:
That being said, this morning was a on again off again exercise in frustration. My plan was to leave beautiful EL sleeping peacefully while I snuck away to take some snippety-snap at the trusty arboretum. I learned a few things today:
1. Macro photography is a royal pain in the ass when you're limited to f8.0
2. Professional photographers tend to be territorial and antisocial as opposed to amateurs that are generally curious and friendly
3. The best way to shorten battery life is to play with manual full flash
4. Focus bracketing is a good way to tear through a half gig compact flash like a hot knife through butter
5. Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase.
I only mention that last bit because the source of my frustrations have been directly related to camera limitations yet some of my photography role models work through similar limitations and get spectacular results. My issue is simple: cross platform compatibility. I know exactly what I need to implement to take my shots to the next level, but it would be money wasted because eventually I will have to go to an SLR body and the duct tape solutions I use now wont transfer. Ugh! I've seen this coming for some time now. I've saved up some money for a camera purchase. It's been that much easier to justify since EL has expressed a lot of interest in having a digicam of her own. It seems that every time she wants to take a picture of anything, I have the camera. It's practically an appendage forever attached from my torso. I'm sick. I need help. I actually dream about photography at night these days. The more I cuddle my indecisiveness, the more it becomes evident that an SLR body is what I really, really, want for my birthday.
So, tonight is looking to be stacked up. Mike invited us down to League City to have a drink at his place and check out his dining room set for purchase. We need furniture in a bad way. We are tentatively scheduled to meet Irfan for dinner at Raven Grill. I've never been and know nothing of it. EL and Éclair are out at the park right now. I've been uploading more photos that didn't quite turn out like I wanted and searching for airline tickets to Minnesota that don't cost an arm and a leg. I think I'm going to end up spending some air miles to buy my ticket and then just pay for the other two (EL and mom) outright. Airlines are so damn irritating with their constant ticket price fluctuation and flight schedule changes.
Here are a few snaps from this morning... more of the same familiar faces. The Mercer Arboretum has a new bloom cycle every two weeks through the year. It takes time to find new subject matter in the same location, so I tend to spend my photo outing playing with different exposure techniques to see what works and what doesn't. Usually, the result is hundreds of photos that are complete and utter shit. There are a few that are worth keeping and fewer still worth sharing, but I don't mind because I learn something new each time I go. Someday that stuff might amount to some real wall hangers. That's what I'm shooting for... heh. Anyhoo, here be pictures:
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Just be thankful that’s not 10 rolls of film you’re having to process and pay for for the shots you get!
I want one of those lizards! I suppose customs wouldn’t be too pleased if you posted me a couple, hey? :-)
Enough with the spiders!
You’re gonna get bit, er, ah, stung one of these days. Anyway, I really dig the top one, the green on that bee. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that sort of coloration before.
sean… there are about 15 species of bees at the arboretum. This is my favorite. They are hard to find, but crazy colorful… very iridescent and quite quick in making their rounds. I’ll get a better shot someday, but these guy are indeed beautiful!
Clayton, your pictures are amazing! My son (8), is very into creepry crawlies and insects and such, so he is way jazzed to see such wonderful pictures. Me (23 digits other than 8), I’m into nature, flowers, herbs, painting [...] among other things. You’ve treated us both with your pictures. You certainly have a keen eye. Keep ‘em coming!
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