Monday, August 19, 2013

Weekend and Weekly Wishes

Happy Monday...Err, it's Monday!
I am linking-up for Weekend Shenanigans and Weekly Wishes.

This weekend, aside from drinks as big as my head.......
Aside from finishing our re-purposed headboard...
Aside from doing my longest run yet and keeping up with my 10k training program...
Something GREAT happened...
I got a camera {insert freakout}...
 ...now where do I even begin?!
I have no clue what I am doing, just a big dream.  
My dream job is to be a lifestyle photographer...my husband got tired of me talking about it all the time and bought me a Nikon D3200.  
I want to hug it, and squeeze it, and never let it go.
Now I need advice. 
 Where do you even begin with a DSLR?  
What would some of you out there recommend for learning on this crazy awesome piece of equipment?
I am amazed at the quality with these cameras even in auto...which is all I know how to do right now!  Help!  
Exhibit A:  Trey normally just looks like a black blob with no features.
The thing that is kinda scary about this is that I have dreamed of getting into photography for as long as I can remember, and now I have the tools to start.  I think I have all of these good ideas and I think I have decent eye for photography, but what if I am all wrong?  What if I totally fail at this?
Exhibit B: Just because he ripped his bear's head off. 
Have any of you out there gotten into photography on a professional level?  How did you get started?  How did you get people to even let you take their pictures at first?  My dogs aren't very cooperative, and I am sure not going to make any money off of them.
Exhibit C: You can see the dog hair on our hardwood...and I had just sweep...dang you, Kayne.
Exhibit D:Trey doesn't have glowing demon eyes.
Which brings me to my Weekly Wishes:
[One] Start to figure out my camera:  I want to take at least 3 pictures I am proud of in manual mode and share them here next week.
[Two] Start to watch the tutorial that came with the camera: Self-explanatory.
[Three] Keep up with 10k training: This is my first full week of work, so I know working out is going to be harder.

What are you wishes and goals this week?
I'd love to hear them.


Sami's Shenanigans

28 comments:

  1. Girlfriend I love the headboard! And your camera is awesome too! I started out by creating a board on Pinterest and pinning any and every tutorial possible on photography. You will be amazed at the information out there. Just remember, aperture, ISO, and shutter speed are your friends :) I also took an adult workshop class on photography for six weeks that really helped introduce me to the DSLR world and I got a lot of great feedback on my pictures as well. Just jump right in, you'll do great. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your work :)

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  2. OMG congrats on getting your camera I know how much you've been wanting one!!! I'm glad you got a Nikon, I have one and I absolutely love it!! It's not a fancy one like that but it's an in between that and the crappy little ones. I love it. The quality looks amazing!

    PS. Your dogs are so cute!

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  3. i LOVE LOVE LOVE the headboard and congrats on the new camera! i have a fancy canon dslr...but i only use the auto-setting <--FORSHAME!!!!! i really need to kick it up a notch and learn how to use the damn thing!

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  4. Wow, I'm loving the headboard! It's so beautiful :)

    And congrats on the new camera. I've had a Nikon DSLR for years now, but I didn't still don't know how to use it well. I know how to take decent pictures, but I remember being completely clueless with photography at first. Then I searched the internet and found a few websites that helped me figure out the basics like what aperture and shutter times mean and whatnot. I don't know how well you know those, but if you don't here's a few links that were really helpful for me:

    http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/category/basic-photography/what-the-heck/
    and really anything under the category "photography"

    ps. I found your site through weekly wishes link-up, and I'm glad I did :)

    (Since this only lets me comment with my google account I won't be able to add my personal blog's url, so if you want to you can go check out my blog at http://doozy.me. but it's totally optional :) )

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  5. Your headboard is gorgeous!!! And that camera is awesome...I would never be able to take it out of auto though! haha You are super amazing for keeping up with your 10K training, way to go! :)

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  6. I would suggest taking a class or two. I almost signed up for some when I first got mine, and I wish that I would have. Way to go on your 4 miles!!!

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  7. Great camera. Taking photos is a process of trial and error. Classes may be a good idea too. I just fool around with my mothers semi-pro camera, and lots of pictures turn out pretty nice. And an eye can be trained.
    Good luck, can't wait to see the photos you make this week.

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  8. Love that drink, looks delish!

    And oh those puppers, so cute.

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  9. First of all - that headboard is amazing!

    Second - I have had my camera for 2 years and I still don't know all of it's secrets. I have a Nikon too (just not as fancy). They are awesome! And there are tons of tutorials online to help you out if you can't figure something out on your own.

    Looks like you have the perfect subjects to practice your photography skills too :)

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  10. just found your blog through Holly's :)... good luck with the camera!! I'm a photographer (and shoot Nikon, woo hoo!) some great learning sites for beginners are iheartfaces.com or clickinmoms.com. They have tons of tutorials and how-to's. Also Google and YouTube are wonderful resources!! Feel free to e-mail me, I'd love to help!! :)

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  11. Congrats on the camera. I watched a lot of Youtube videos when I first got mine and I try and shoot at least 3-4 pics a week using non-manual modes and documents what I used. It is a work in progress. LOL.

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  12. OH I love your new camera!! I have the D3100! Nikons are beautiful creatures!! My favorite blog that's taught me allot about how to work my camera is http://digital-photography-school.com/ and really stick that sucker on Manual and play with it until you get it! Good luck with your wishes!!

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  13. Congrats on the camera. You're lucky the dogs can't talk. You'll be able to practice a lot on a hard to shoot subject!! What a fun hobby---kuddos to the hubby for supporting it!

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  14. Ah, congrats on the camera!!! That is so super exciting- I've always wanted a nicer DSLR :) I can't wait to see all of the amazing photos you take! Also, loving that head board. Super cute!

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  15. I'm learning the in's and out's of my camera too! We can bond. You can dooo eeet! Your dogs are gorge. Loving it. :)

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  16. That headboard is so cute! I'd love to read how you made it! Unless you already did post about that. I'm gonna look now lol

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  17. You will love that camera! Good Luck! I also love that headboard, looks great!

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  18. congrats on your new camera!! i know so many people who have gotten a nikon or cannon and loved it. you could always start by taking engagement photo sessions or baby pictures once you figure out the camera and then i am sure your business will evolve!

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  19. A new camera? How exciting! I can't wait to see all the fun pictures you take in the process of learning your camera! I'd love to get into photography too some day, such a fun way to get creative!

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  20. OMG. Your camera looks amazing and so much fun! By the way, I love repurposed furniture but have a bedroom set already so making one is out of the question for right now. Thank you for the suggestion!
    Good luck with running this week, I really should start training again. And I'll be looking for your pictures next week! :D

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  21. Your doggies are so handsome! Love the headboard too. Have fun with the camera! Yay! There are a bunch of awesome tips in this article: http://www.iheartfaces.com/2012/12/getting-started-with-new-camera/. Can't wait to see your photos!! Have a great week!

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  22. I love the headboard! Turned out beautifully!

    Good luck with the camera. Excited to see your "first" photos :)

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  23. I have a Nikon and I spent far too long using Auto! I found I got photos that weren't the best quality. Program mode is nearly as easy and you have far more control including how much you keep in focus.
    In program mode, using the + - button, you can stop it under and over exposing in tricky light situations like back lighting, greenery, beach and snow.

    Enjoy getting to know your new camera. :-)

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  24. My best advice for your camera: start using it. I got mine back in February and actually read through most of the manual (say what?), watched tutorials, read tutorials, and talked to my professional photographer sisters-in-law. BUT I didn't improve at all and was too intimidated to break it out of automatic mode until I actually started using it regularly. I started with a weekly photo of my daughter and then I started this 30 Day photo challenge I found on Pinterest and that made all the difference! Looking back on my pictures from the first few days to my pictures now, I have improved so so much. Now I can set my camera pretty close to what it needs to be just by knowing how much light I have. It helps a lot that my sisters were able to look at my photos and tell me what I need to adjust, so if you have any questions don't be afraid to shoot me a comment/email!
    For example, I took a picture of my mom and my baby and only my mom was in focus so I asked my sister and she said I needed to raise the f-stop, which is fancy photography language for focus. The higher the f-stop, which is that little number with a decimal in it, the more of the frame will be in focus. Ta-da! Now you learned something new. =] But you won't remember it until you get out and do it so get out and take pictures on manual! ;) Good luck this week!

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  25. Congrats on the camera! Don't overwhelm yourself with those questions! Embrace in the moment. You, finally, got, the, camera! If you need inspiration on which area to start, you can always check up Photography on Pinterest. Otherwise, if you're a book/reader/student type of person, I believe there are manuals and guides around the internet. Have fun!

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  26. Yaaayy you got one!!!! My biggest suggestion is watch youtube videos to learn how to use it, so much easier!!

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  27. Cute pups! I like the composition in your picture of Kayne; your pics are looking good already!

    I have a Nikon D5000 and I love it. I want to get more comfortable with my camera so I'm doing a 30 day snap challenge... DO THIS! It helps so much. I've taken a class and used to shoot product photography for my company but making myself pick up my camera every day has been the best tool. Plus, good blog content! I am using prompts from another blogger (http://fatmumslim.com.au/) to give myself ideas for each day. And if you'd like to check me out, I'm http://lovelyup.wordpress.com/

    Have fun!

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