When your camera battery can't make it through taking pictures for Garden Blogger Bloom Day it might be time to think about a new camera. Since I had already replaced the battery last year at a cost of $50.00 and the front sliding lens cover that turned my Canon on and off was becoming rickety it seemed like a good idea to research replacement cameras. Not to mention wanting a camera that works when garden bloggers nationwide gather in Chicago this May for Spring Fling!
After a lot of Internet research I ended up with a Canon Powershot SD 790 IS, bought at Costco with a rebate making it even cheaper than the 1100 I had considered. I came home, charged the battery and took off for a visit to the Sweet-Granddaughter's house. I was very pleased with the photos it took and loved the fact that it was half the size and weight of my old camera.
Yesterday afternoon I had a chance to run out to the garden for the first time since I got home Monday evening...it was still squishy from the rain but I thought I'd see if I could get a picture of the ornamental plum that I saw blooming when I looked out the window. Then I thought I'd try a macro shot of the camellia Chandleri Elegans that's been blooming for a week or so. When I walked over there I saw the Anisodontea Very Cranberry had started blooming again.
Under a few leaves I found the first crocus of the year. If the rain holds off I hope to find more this weekend...all I need to do is clean up the leaves covering the beds where they are popping up. And in the teardrop bed I was surprised to find this little daffodil...between the rain and being out of town I hadn't even seen the buds!
The Santa Rosa plum always begins blooming on one side and then the blooms spread to the other side. The side closest to the concrete patio gets just enough extra warmth to give that side of the tree a few days headstart. And that branch almost always has the first ripe plum too...although right now June seems a long way off!
After taking these photos I came in and tried to look at them on the camera before uploading them. I then spent about two hours trying to get the camera out of 'Stitch Assist' mode. And another hour or so today until it finally worked...not that I know what I did. So I am going to be taking a lot more pictures in the next few days and playing with the buttons and dial to see if I know what I'm doing. I need to convince myself that it is user error/ignorance and not a problem with the camera. For now I'm hoping it's a learning curve and it will all seem easier soon...at least before May!
12 comments:
I read a suggestion that you should sketch the screen with all the options to make yourself really see them all and get familiar with them. Didn't ever follow that advice, but it sounded good. The shots you took look lovely. Around here, no shrub or tree blooms when the crocuses do.
The cameras get interesting when you try to learn all the functions. Keep trying them all out.
Your new camera takes wonderful photos! I love how that one blossom stands out so clearly, and the background is out of focus. You'll get the hang of it. (Eventually.)
I think you're well on your way to great photos. Congrats on the new camera!
I garden not to far from you, thought I would drop in and say Hi!. Happy gardening come by and visit me at thecreativegardener.blogspot.com ~ Jacque
There is always a leaning curve with a new camera. You got some lovely pictures with it! So nice to see signs of life in your garden. We have a bit of a wait here yet, though the sun has been shining and the days are getting longer. Yay!
I've had my camera for several years and i still don't understand it --- oh for the days of the Kodak Brownie.
But that last photo is stupendous - so keep persevering --
Learning how to control the new camera might not be fun for you, Leslie, but it's interesting for us!
By the time you get to Chicago Spring Fling using it will be second nature. The Camera-Fail timing was much better than when my camera went wonky at Austin Spring Fling last April.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I bet you'll really enjoy all the features, and it won't take that long to learn them. Lovely shots of the interesting west coast floral scene, as usual.
The pictures look good. :) Your flowers certainly have a head start over ours. It was over 60 today though so I'm ready for some spring weather. ;)
I really appreciate all the advice and information about cameras because beautiful photos like yours add so much to a blog's interest. I loved visiting today because my daughter lives near Houston and its great to see what is happening down there. Snow and wind here.
"Very Cranberry" is a great name for a plant with those beautiful, vibrant blooms!
Post a Comment