These past 6 months we've found ourselves spending a lot of time playing photographers- when you live with a cute and cuddly thing who smiles constantly, it's kinda hard not to. And we're leaving for our summer vacation to Europe in a few weeks (see how subtle we slip this new development in, ha ha...). So, the time seems ripe to make an investment we've been planning on for a while now... (Oh well, do we really need all these justifications for a new toy once in a blue moon?)
Jacques just bought me the digital SLR camera I've been craving for! It's the Canon Rebel XTi, just an entry-level type SLR, but a huge step up from our silly point-and-shoot. How exciting!!!
Me and My Rebel (my eyebrows correctly indicate the level of excitement, although it makes me look like I can use a dose of Botox)
Now the easy part (buying it) is done, here comes the hard part (using it). I've actually bought a book written specifically on how to use this camera to take decent pictures, but who has the time to read a book when one has a new camera on one's hands? We quickly learned that a test drive is the best way to learn how to use this beast (see test drive results below).
Oh, and just about a day later, we also learned that (1) just because you have a better camera doesn't automatically makes you a better photographer (who knows money doesn't buy you skill?), and (2) there is a plethora of gadgets/accessories (e.g. various lenses, filters, etc) needed to maximize the camera's potential that could easily bankrupt us. Thanks goodness Costco has a great return policy.
Taking the Rebel for a spin- our attempt in taking "nice photos":
