January 25 10

So, my story starts with this lovely, lovely camera that I have in my possession. She sure is pretty. When I tote it around with me, I feel like people are all, “oh look! A professional photographer!” even though, really, when I’m at the aquarium or the zoo or at the school presentations, DSLRs are like purses; all moms have them.

The thing with my camera is this. Yes, she is beautiful, but good god, I really don’t deserve her because, I have never taken it off of AUTO or P. Until last week, I have never opened an image in anything other than Microsoft Picture Viewer or Picasa. Until this week, I didn’t know what a Pioneer Woman Action was. Until yesterday, I didn’t know what SOOC was. Until today, I didn’t know what white balance was.

Occasionally, I get lucky and take something like this and somehow figure out how to edit it. ALL BY MYSELF.

(I know, right? I have no explanation for it either)

I didn’t make resolutions for 2010, mostly because I’m the resolution cliche. I decide to go back to the gym every single January and then by January 21st I have a cold and then I miss three days at the gym and then I remember that I hate the gym and would rather sit on my ass and watch reruns of the OC and listen and stuff my gob with chips and salsa. Oh, and I never fucking drink the water that I vow to drink.

But, three weeks into 2010, I decided to make one.

I am going to learn to use my camera and my photoshop elements 8.

I AM.

And to force me to learn, I have decided to participate in the 365 project, which, you know, I am completely not qualified to be a part of. BUT, I think looking at some of your stunning pictures will help me. I think they will inspire me. And I think they will teach me.

Because you have already taught me…

Because my first four shots? Nothing to write home about…

because the yellow. The yellow. But, thanks to her, I know. About the white balance.

So, photo #5 will be better than #4. And #6 will be better than #5. and hoo boy, just you wait until #365.

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  1. Awesome resolution. I can’t wait.

    Comment by Tamara on January 25, 2010
  2. Good for you! Even though I have a minor in photography, there is SO much I don’t know, technically speaking, so I’ve enrolled in a photography night school. And guess what our first three-hour class was all about? WHITE BALANCE. =)

    Comment by Camels & Chocolate on January 25, 2010
  3. I had a point & shoot forever, and got decent at it. Now I have my daughter’s DSLR, & it’s HARD. I refuse to shoot in anything but manual, so there are a lot of ‘deletes’. Much luck!
    .-= Tug´s last blog ..Blue =-.

    Comment by Tug on January 26, 2010
  4. I have a point & shoot but pine for a dslr. can’t wait to see some more of your photos. I think learning to use elements is actually a resolution worth keeping! Power on!

    Comment by Kalle on January 26, 2010
  5. You go girl!!

    Comment by ClassyFabSarah on January 26, 2010
  6. While I don’t want to discourage you from learning more about your camera and image editing, realize that modern cameras are intended to be used in one of the automatic modes for many shots. Sure, the occasional situation may arise where you need to override and use aperture priority or manual focus, but most of the time the automatic settings just take the work out of fiddling that pros used to have to do with their SLRs back in the day.

    Comment by SciFi Dad on January 26, 2010
  7. GAH, the damn white balance. It will be the death of me. I mean, I understand it, but it doesn’t mean that I can make my pictures look less yellow.

    And that first picture is beautiful! Pretty subject, too.

    Comment by jennifer on January 26, 2010
  8. What are your fav posts by PW on the whole topic? I find her vast knowledge of the subject almost too overwhelming to even start learning!!

    Comment by Katherine on January 26, 2010
  9. Good for you! Thankfully you have more than cats to take photos of too, so that helps.

    I laughed at the “inner Barkley.” HA!

    Comment by Kristabella on January 26, 2010
  10. Go, you!! I’m always available if you need help too.

    LOVE that photo of Isabella!

    Comment by Angella on January 26, 2010
  11. Good for you, my dear! Excellent project to participate in. Can’t wait to see more shots. 🙂

    Comment by Nenette on January 26, 2010
  12. Hey I just committed this to my do before I die list.. #16. Own and know how to use a rockin’ camera.
    http://catchingmysecondwind.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-do-you-want-to-do-before-you-die.html

    Comment by Tina on January 26, 2010
  13. Yay. NOW TELL ME HOW!

    Comment by slynnro on January 26, 2010
  14. I think the 365 project sounds like an awesome! idea, and I’m excited to watch your mad photog skillz (wait for the quasi-pun, wait for it…) develop.

    (HAAAA. God, I am so easily amused.)

    Comment by Kerri Anne on January 26, 2010
  15. I am guilty of using my DSLR on P or apeture priority a lot too.

    I rarely use manual.

    Plus I have a whole pile of filters that I never use anymore because I no longer put black and white film in, or shoot using infrared film – or anything more experimental.

    And one of my new years “challenges” is to go places to take photos – rather than just taking photos at places where I happen to already be.

    So good luck with your resolution too, because those are looking pretty good!

    Comment by pixielation on January 28, 2010
  16. I admire you for being so committed to this project. Though admittedly, I might be committed too if I had to do any kind of project thing every day for a year 😉

    Comment by Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels on February 6, 2010
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