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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Lightbulbs


Have you ever had something
perplex
and
utterly 
confound 
you?

 
You've thought and believed that everyone but
YOU understood something, or
"got it" ?


That's how I've felt about 

aperture

shutter speed

ISO

and a whole host of other Greek terms which taunted me
every single time I turned 
on the camera.

Things like this come easy to some, but not to me.

And so I played it safe.
Oh so safe.

Afraid to take the training wheels off, I kept it turned to
Auto.


Entirely too busy to either sign up for a course or really delve into my photography books,
I muddled through.

And dumb luck has permitted me to create some decent images,
but the opportunities are increasing....

Really fabulous, OMG type opportunities...

And with new opportunities, come expectations.
Both those I place on myself, and those of the people hiring me out, so to speak. 
Expectations that I (shock!) will actually know what I'm doing, and will be able
to produce professional results.
And if not quite professional, then certainly better than what I'm producing now.

and so...
with bated breath, last night I did something
so fearless, so brave, so completely heroic that
I simply can't contain myself anymore....


I took the training wheels off!!!


Armed with the incredible, every-photographer-must-have book
I experimented and played
and the funniest thing began to happen...

I saw these...


lots and LOTS of these!!!


Call it a eureka or light bulb moment, but I call it
wonderful.

Shooting in manual and aperture priority modes isn't quite as scary
as I anticipated after all!  :-)

And now some thank you's.

To the talented photographer and blogger who way back when 
recommended that I get this book,
I say "thank you".

To the absolute sweetest friend and mentor in the whole wide word,
I say "thank you".

And to each of you, for traveling with me on all my adventures,
I say a hearty "thank you"!

Shifting gears...

There's still time to enter my
Happy New Year Giveaway!


Click HERE to enter!

Happy Wednesday!




ps...
I've thanked people in this post
who genuinely and selflessly lent a hand...
never expecting credit or thanks, 
and certainly not the sorts of people
to hold a grudge if thanks were never offered.
I have sadly encountered the latter type of person
in my travels, and I'd like to thank them too....
for helping me to grow a thicker skin,
and to learn who you can and cannot trust.


51 comments:

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

good for you Anne!! That is wonderful! Cant wait to see your images~ Hugs, Rachel

*French Farmhouse 425*

trash talk said...

Good thing you did. I would have hated to change your name to Andrew. Only men won't read or follow directions...except of course the aforementioned talented photographer!
D

cindy said...

Well, I for one can't wait to see what you cook up with your new knowledge. You're images are already outstanding Anne!

Unknown said...

oh Anne...we know you can do it!!

I need to read that book so I can take my nikon off auto ...

xo,

annie

Lululiz said...

Woohoo, well done you wonderful girl! Now show us more pics!!!

Raised In Cotton said...

You're a DOLL and glad it's starting to "click" with you:))) Bryan's book is the best:) So very happy for you:)

xoxoxo, Carol
http://raisedincotton.typepad.com/

Unknown said...

Learning a new skill that is close to your heart and releases your creativity ROCKS! Enjoy it all, Belinda x

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Fabulous! I'm getting my big girl camera soon...

Itchin' Stitchin' said...

Oh those words scare me too! I just don't get what they are taking about but maybe that book will help. Thanks for recommending it.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I used to love my Cannon SLR camera and I knew how to use it quite well. Now with the new digital cameras and lens I find myself intimidated. I need to read that book too.

Your photos are looking marvelous darling!

hugs
Sissie

Farmgirl Paints said...

I hope the light bulb comes on for me. I may have to get that book. Hopefully my class will answer all my questions and make everything click. Congrats. That has to be such a liberating experience.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Well, I can certainly relate! I guess I need to get that book and then actually follow through!
I am glad that you have these opportunities which are spurring you into action! Thank you for always being so open and honest with your feelings!
You have a great eye and your photos are wonderful! Oh...and I got Sue's calendar today with your fab photos!
Take care, Laura

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Lightbulb moments are the best!! I still have a lot to learn with my camera.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

So happy for you! It really is brave of you and yet it will reward you beyond belief to be able to understand it all. I think for 2011 I will learn more about my camera and light!!

Theresa said...

Good for you, I do AUTO on mine too! I sometime use the landscape or nightime but that's about it! Perhaps you can give us a reader's digest version sometimes:) Have a blessed evening with all of your lightbulbs and gorgeous photographs! HUGS!

Debra@CommonGround said...

I'm hoping for a little time with the "dumb luck" setting, then I'll have you teach me!

Privet and Holly said...

I'm still waiting for
that AH-HA moment and
hopefully with some
classroom instruction,
I will find it. My
brain isn't as young
as yours and needs more
prodding : ) We know
you have the intuitive
skills, so once you
marry that with the
technical ones, look
out!! Have FUN with
it, Anne!
xx Suzanne

Alice said...

Good for you!!! Those photos are awesome!!!!

I'm the worst at being able to wrap my head around all those terms, their meanings, and what actually needs to happen to make the photo better. Even worse, even if I do 'get' it, I forget it by the next time I pick up the camera. Old age I guess.

I might have to pick up that book. Thanks for the link.

Happy Photo Snapping!

Julie Marie said...

Hello Anne... way to go!... I knew you could do it!... yes, I have those moments too... sometimes Jack will say "hello, looks like the lights are on but no one's home" (referring to me of course, tee hee hee!)... have fun with no training wheels!... xoxo Julie Marie

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

I've been taking mine out of auto a few times but I'm still having a hard time.....I need to buy the book!

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

By George, I think You've Got It! Congrats, I always Adore Your Posts....
Cheryl

traci said...

that is an awesome book. just keep playing. it gets easier and easier.

Wildflowerhouse said...

You oh so brave soul. I must get that book.... Have you seen that ad on TV (don't know what it's for) where people are looking at this guys photos on a big screen and they ask him "what speed were you using?" answer "Very fast". question, "what was your light setting?" answer, "Very bright"! Cracks me up every time.

Beach House Living said...

Yeah! I like AV mode and use that the most.
My new tripod is not as nice as the old one but it has one feature I like the old one didn't have a level so it's easier to compensate for uneven surfaces which is good for manual expsoure.

Exposure still confuses me though!

Stitchfork said...

Aha moment - now full speed ahead!
xo Cathy

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Hi Anne, your photo's are just gorgeous, I know you will do wonderful with your new camera... however I think I need to buy the book!!!
hug~~ Daphne

Sherri B. said...

Oh my! I got my Nikon way back in May and know nothing still. My daughter told my not to use Auto and to switch to the image next to it...that's all I know so thanks for the info on the book because as you now know, I really, really need HELP.

Cassie said...

You mean your photography is going to be even better? Can't wait for show n' tell!
Saw your feature in Romantic Homes.....hooray for you!!

Vicki said...

Good for you! Oh the place you'll go...can't wait to see.

Debby said...

YEAH!!! Good for you, can hardly wait to see what you are going to be up too now.
Debby

Anonymous said...

Yay, little Annie! I'm so proud of you!! I'm excited to see what wondrous snaps you produce.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

O.k. you little Miss Fiona and Twig ..you've made my day Sweetheart !!!

I Love your photography and have read on your blog all about your photographing oppurtunities that have come along ..then saw on Common Grounds post the type of camera you had ..and Wowie I admit it I was intimidated by that big camera and also a little green with envy (shame on me) because I wanted to run a camera of that caliber ...

Now I find out that you too were intimidated by aperture etc. etc.... Just like me !!! You know sometimes it feels good to know your normal ...LOL !!!

Hey Thanks for the post now I'm inspired to give all that mumbo jumbo I thought everyone understood but me a try !!!

Merry Christmas Girl !!!

Sara

Burlap Luxe said...

Love this post!!
I left a request on the GiveAway comment !! (SMILING)
I need to invest in a good camera and I have been researching big time, reading up a storm and I am going to take a leap of faith so I can express how I feel about what I do in life through better photo's that speak to you.

Keep inspiring great photo's from all of us.
xoxo
Dore

Beatnheart said...

If anyone can do it it is you Anne...in no time at all you will master the Nikon....and its lenses...

Laurie said...

Woohoo - you go, girl! For all of us who are optically illiterate, you go and don't look back! The best is yet to come!

Riki Schumacher said...

Oh man, all that is way over my head. I used to know it all, but now, just love my automatic small little guy. Go for it! I'm in awe! Riki

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Anne, I know there is so much to learn. Hang in there, you can do it!!! Hope all is well down your way. Love & blessings from NC!

Joanna said...

Well done, it's always hard to let go and fly but YOU DONE IT! We're going to watch you soar!

x

Anonymous said...

Oh girl been there done that!! It gets easier but remember it all takes work and patients, I still flounder all the time...I need to read that book probably unstead of just figuring it out! ha! happy trails!

stefanie said...

you are soooo brave!!! all of that is so foreign, like learning a new language!!!

red.neck chic said...

I so clicked my heels and wished and wished and wished for you last night while trying to take pictures in my house. LOL

xoxoxo
this is so fun following your journey!!!

;-D robelyn

Tricia said...

Yay, good for you!! I may need to get that book, I want to figure out how to take photos in a room filled with windows...ugh, frustrating :)

time worn interiors said...

You see, these are all the horrible fears I have with a new camera! I've been doing some pricing though! Want one so bad!
Theresa
aka:tot

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Wow, sounds like you have an exciting year just around the corner!! So glad you took the bull by the horns!

Unknown said...

it's so exciting to learn something new especially when it's something you love to do! i took karen russell's class but before that is was auto mode for me too! i tend to use AV mode most of the time especially with the kids! enjoy the weekend!! xo susan

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Oh alright...I'll learn it too. Geez Louise! ;) hee,hee,hee.
xx, shell

Lili said...

Oh you little brave one, I am so impressed that you took the plunge! I've never ventured outside of auto mode myself. xoxo ~Lili

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Oh I get this post, Anne...cameras can be so intimidating! I have been experimenting, too, and have been surprised by some of the results! Really, why not play? We can always delete what doesn't work! Looks like a good book!

Carole said...

Well for a novice you sure take some pretty pics!
I'm a no flash girl when I can be. hard to keep it steady but that's when I adjust the ISO.
Thanks for the tip!
x
C

Cindy said...

that book was my aha moment also. in fact as i was reading your post i was going to suggest that you get the same book but at the end, you had!!!!

i feel almost stupid for how easy that one page in that book was and it changed the way i photograph now.

great blog...

hugs

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I know this is an old post and I thank you for posting it. I just ordered this book on Amazon. I cant wait to get it so I can understand my camera more and get out of auto and into manual.

God bless your day.


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