Oh, this is gonna be good!

The original title for this post was going to be, "In over my head!" because, thanks to the BTST, I came home from the camera store yesterday with a brand new Canon Rebel XS kit with an additional 75-300 mm lens, filters, a 1G memory card, DVD tutorial, and a backpack to carry it all in. I listed all the "extras" because that is part of the reason why I went to an old fashioned camera store instead of a chain or buying it on the internet. The guy there threw in some of the little things I needed (filters, memory card, DVD) and set up the date, time, strap, etc. for me AND showed me how to put on and take off the lens. I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but really it is. Plus, I also figured now I have someone to go to with any questions as I start experimenting with this amazing piece of equipment.

So last night after Grace went to bed I charged the battery and watched the DVD trying out many of the different modes and features of the camera. I took a lot of really bad pictures of Daisy, Grace's toys, the wall, and the plants. Today, I left work a little early and took some uninspired photos of flowers in my garden. This is the only one I dare to show you.Yeah, nothing to write home about.

But then I picked up my favorite subject from daycare. Let the games begin! I had the baby pool all ready so we went out on the deck for playtime and a photo shoot. I started out in full "auto mode" where the camera did everything for me.

Grace looks like she is saying, "Wait a minute" but she is really pointing to a helicopter. Daisy wanted to get in on the action.

I also played with the "sports setting" (another type of "auto") which they say is what I need for kids and pets. Since I have a 2-year old who only stops when she is asleep, I think I am going to get to know this mode well!

Wow! That water is cold!Don't you just love my swimsuit?

And, I tried out the "portrait mode". I was trying to get some close-ups of Grace with the blurred background like a "professional". Don't misunderstand. In theory I understand how to get the blurred background but I have no clue how to make it happen on the camera. Anything you see here is due to the camera's ability to focus on the subject. I can't take any credit.And, yes, Dad, I took MANY, MANY more pictures than I saved. That is a huge deal for me. I always wait for the best shot but I really should just keep snapping away and edit later. In the sports mode you can hold the button down and it will fire off 3 pictures per second. Grace thought this was pretty interesting and the noise of the camera clicking got her attention. Hmmmm. That's one way to get a toddler to look at the camera, I guess.

All these were done with the "auto" mode.

I have to admit, when I left the store yesterday I was really worried that I dropped a whole lot of money on something that I might not use. Then last night (and into the wee hours of the morning) I played with the camera and felt like I was taking the worst pictures ever! That made for more panic and no sleep.

Close up in "auto"
Close up in "sport"
Close up in "portrait"

Ahhhh, but today, all I can say is there is some hope and this is gonna be good! Stay tuned.

(One feature I really like on my point and shoot camera is that I can zoom, edit, and save right on the camera. This is not possible with the SLR camera. Too bad. It is a nice feature. But I guess I am about to get really picky about my photos. The next purchase looks like some editing software.)