Last summer, Rachelle spent her bonus on a nice camera. I kind of ignored it. I've always assumed that I suck at photography, based on all the photos I have taken in the past that were limp and boring, or overexposed.
My parents did get me an all-manual Canon SLR way back, but I knew nothing about how to use it. And, because it did not magically create beautiful pictures, it found its way into the deep back of my closet, where it stayed for many years.
But then, a month ago, Rachelle hands me the camera, sets some settings, and tells me I'm going to photograph her belly dance recital. Which I did, from on high at the back of the theatre. And it was great! I really enjoyed myself and got some surprisingly decent shots.
But then I wanted to know which settings she had set, and why. So I started reading about photography, and how to do it. It's fascinating. I might well be hooked.
Here's a set from yesterday at the Ross Bay cemetary, where I practiced using a wide-open aperture to get that shallow depth of field thing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ripplebliss/sets/72157600623884231/
Excellent pics. Very arty-farty. Except, of course, it's spelled c-e-m-e-t-e-r-y.