Monday, September 19, 2011

Flowers, Rain, Macro Camera Shots

I just bought a new camera, a present to myself for my 60th birthday.  Hooray!  I researched cameras for quite awhile.  Have you ever done that?  Wow, too much information!  Anyway, I narrowed it down to two, the Canon Powershot and the Nikon Coolpix.  I bought the Nikon Coolpix L120 on Amazon.  The reviews were great and it was about $50 less than the Canon.  The Canon has a GPS gadget which I think is a waste.  I actually don't care where I am when I'm taking a picture.  But that's just me.  I found a coupon offered by a local photographer ($35!) for a 3 hour class.  Four people showed up for the class at a beautiful park with flowers, water and a lovely building called the Jewel Box.


I learned how to use some of the settings, but the best thing I learned was how to do macro shots.  I thought I needed to get up close to the subject.  I learned I need to stand a bit further away, press the button down half-way and allow the camera to focus.  I never knew that!  I always  just pressed the button down all the way to take the picture, hoping for the best.  Pushing the button down half-way lets you see icons on the screen that tell you the shot is correct.  Here are two of my favorite shots from my lesson that day:



I'm having a great time learning about my camera!  If you're interested in photography, what type of camera do you use and what are your favorite types of shots?

22 comments:

  1. We bought a small Panasonic Lumix for our trip to Costa Rica this past February and love it! Also have a larger Canon EOS Rebel. I haven't had time to figure out the photographic details so I just take regular shots - they come out pretty good :-)

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  2. I have a Canon 7d and love it! But, there are so many different things to do with it that I still don't know or understand... These new gadgets are always great, but taking classes is definitely a good idea! I should probably look for some myself:)

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  3. I LOVE the Jewel Box....had some of my wedding photos taken there!! Have fun with your new TOY!

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  4. Lovely photos... I need someone to show me how to use my camera.. I know it takes better photos than I have been taking.

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  5. I am still learning about my camera - and my cell phone camera. I never feel I am using them to their full capacity. Love your photos!

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  6. I love your pictures from the class, I need to work with my camera some more.

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  7. Your shots are beautiful! I've been thinking about taking a class in photography.. this convinces me ;-)

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  8. Love your photos! I own just a Sony cybershot, it takes nice photos but I would love a more professional camera some day.

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  9. your pics are great, love the close ups! i have a nikon SLR and also a nikon coolpix. the SLR is too big to cart around sometimes so i bought the coolpix so i could throw it in my purse. i took an adult ed course on digital photography a couple of years ago and it was very informative. i still dont use all the functions on my SLR though. have fun!

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  10. What a great idea to take a photography class. I luv to take pics of wildlife, flowers and birds. But I need to get a better camera. Luv your macro shots, just gorgeous.

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  11. beautiful photos. we have nikon too! It is awesome. I got the old olympus for the shop but it works awesome outside

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  12. Great pictures! I need to take a class. I recently purchased a Nikon DSLR. I am pretty sure that it is smarter than I am. I know it will do a lot that I don't know how to use yet.

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  13. Awesome! I would love to get a new camera. My SLR broke a few years ago and I do miss the functionality - especially zoom and field depth. Good for you for taking a class to learn all the features. Great pictures!

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  14. Looks like it is a very nice camera! Beautiful pics.

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  15. thanks for all of your comments! Check out groupon or Living Social for a photography class, I'm thrilled I got a 3 hr. class for just $35.

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  16. Congratulations on getting a great new camera! And your pictures are beautiful!!! I love macros!

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  17. Amazing pictures and what a fun present for yourself. I love the idea of taking a class to figure everything out. I need someone to tell me what to do, as opposed to a manual to read.

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  18. Your pics are great! I have a Nikon SLR and couldn't live without t! I LOVE to take macro as well!

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  19. YAY on the new camera! I love photography too and your macro flower pics are gorgeous!

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  20. your photos look promising! I have no patience when it comes to learning!:((( So I try to get away with whatever I can:D Enjoy the classes!

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