Wednesday, March 25, 2009

It's a Canon

itsacanon

A Canon Rebel XSI to be exact. Just like Sister's. You see we have the tendency to do that, you know, copy each other. The decision was so easy for me because she had already made it {thankfully, with the professional assitance of Marla}. I knew just what I wanted for the body and just what I wanted for the lens. And since the yard sale was such a success I decided on another lens too, a 50mm. It's a fixed lens {that's what I call it} it doesn't zoom. I bought the wide angle lens Shelli, a very kind friend in Atlanta who just so happens to be a wonderful photographer too and just so happened to have it collecting dust on her shelf!

Marla had a last minute change of heart and almost sold me on the Nikon D90 but I'm glad she didn't because Erika and I can exchange lenses if we so desire and the Nikon D90 was a little more $$$ but did have that oh-so-tempting video mode!

I don't have Photoshop and I have no idea how to edit pictures the proper way. I've been using Microsoft Office Picture Manager and needless to say it's pretty BASIC. You'll see in some of these I selected "Auto Correct" and the results are less than par, but with time I hope to figure out the editing software that came with my camera but it's all foreign to me right now.

I have been having a lot of fun and this little camera has been glued to my eye. I know the little wrinkles on my forehead are going to get worse because I squint to close that left eye all day long! Oh, the price you pay for pictures! I'll just have to go get some Oil of Olay Regenerist night cream and lather it on all day! :)

First, let me show you my eggs. I started them about a week and half ago and they sure are fun. Not sure what I'm going to do with them but I love that they represent new life during this time of year. I also love that Morgan planted the same grass seeds in a cup at preschool and when I inquired to her teacher about where she got the seeds she gave me about a 5lb bag of leftovers! I have 6 or 8 more of these little guys and Morgan colored faces on them with permenant markers. They're still cute, in a "preschool" kind of way.

eggs

Next let me show you what it's like to be a young man in a house full of stingy women. Good thing Grandma {better known as "Mom"} is here to rescue him when he needs it. Speaking of Grandma... she was a kind model for me to test out the different camera settings today.

Momglasses

Isn't she cute? And she doesn't normally wear her glasses that low... I think she was pretending to be more "grandmotherly" than she is. She seriously doesn't look like a grandmother, does she? Anyway, he's crazy about her. Look what she does to him. He can be completely fine...

jmroller

And she walks in and he completely melts....

backwardsJM

Moving right along to the women in his life that don't have the same affect on him...

Ruler #1: the Raiger {who "speaks softly mumbly and carries a big popsicle stick"}

Raiger1

Ruler #2: Morgan {thumb-sucker extraordinaire-- who has been doing AWESOME at stopping, you can even see her bandaids in pictures below!}

Morgan2

Neither of these "rulers" were thrilled about sharing their yogurt popsicles with "spit-up breath" brother. He was ticked. And she was real concerned.


RaigerJM4

He reminds me a little bit of a puppy, ok, a lot of a puppy. Give him a tail and he might bark!

JM5

Finally {with a little coercing from the camera woman} they did. But it was a tad too cold on tender gums that are about to break forth with small painful teeth...

JM6

So they snatched their popsicles back and waited...

RaigerJM7

And he cried to the woman behind the camera, "Please help me!"

JM8

But I couldn't. You see, I was really enjoying my new camera and couldn't put it down over a popsicle. No one was bleeding. So I kept shooting.

And they worked it out on their own... I love it when that happens.

JM9

Then I played with the camera some more.

FocusMorgan

And some more.

FocusJM

And Paiger thought it was hilarious.

SillyRaiger

Then everyone came inside for much needed baths, given by the highly renowned GRANDMA.

Mom&JM

And if this is what this camera is going to do to me {keep me up 2 nights in a row past 11pm} I may have to return it.

Tomorrow is the day that Sister will find out what she is having! Do you know how excited I am about this baby? Obviously, I love babies. And this child better watch out... his/her MommaSissy is going to love it like crazy! I already do. What an amazing blessing and gift it is. Morgan has a Willowtree statue on her nightstand of a pregnant woman {that someone gave me when I was pregnant with Morgan} and she always says "it's to help her to remember to pray for MommaSis' and the baby in her tummy". Our whole crew is so excited about this little one, thank you, Lord for the miracle of life, may it be a healthy, growing child, and please let it's legs be open tomorrow at the ultrasound! :)

Good night, friends!

41 comments:

No Longer Newlyweds. said...

I am in love with John Martin...those popsicle pictures were incredible!!!

Elizabeth said...

I couldn't wait to see what camera you got. I have the exact same one and I love it. I've had mine almost two months and I'm still trying to figure things out. You took some great pictures. I love how you posted the sequence with the popsicles. Enjoy practicing with your "models"

erika said...

edible. all of it. did you make those popsicles? they look very yummy. i wish i was there with all of you :( john martin is hilarious... i've been up since 5am... counting down the hours... 3.5 more to go.
i love you and your precious family. thanks for praying for us.
xo
mommasis

erika said...

ps- mad camera skills already. rock on. you must have learned all that from me? right? :)

burgmom said...

Ohhh.....I have been eyeing up that camera. Is it easy to use?

I loved the pictures of the kids. It won't be much longer and he will be able to take the popsicle out of their hands. LOL.

Anonymous said...

I see this camera is having the same effects on you that mine is on me. I've had mine for over a year and its like I got it yesterday. My husband laughs at me cause I DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT MY CAMERA! Glad you got the Canon, THEY RULE!!!

Your models are adorable!

Enjoy your camera.

Mandy said...

Love the camera...the kids are precious and I love that baby boy...he is too cute...I want to swoop him up and give him his own popsicle! I am partial to baby boys these days since I have a new one! Keep on snapping away...Enjoy your day! Mandy

Kat said...

Those pictures are fabulous! I brought tears to my eyes to hear how excited you are about your sister's baby, my sister is pregnant too and I just know how special that is. Have fun with your new camera, can't wait to see more pictures!

Mandi said...

love the kids. love the pictures. love your blog. thanks for sharing your life with us, mandi

katy said...

Those pictures are precious! I love how babies beg for food like dogs! :) And it only gets worse when they start walking, but you already know that!

I loved the Teddy Roosevelt reference. :)

Melissa said...

So glad you're having so much fun! Love the pics! Photo editing software....try Adobe Photoshop Elements. It's more user-friendly than the full version of Photoshop and much less expensive--$77 at Sam's. My students are using it right now and loving it!

Unknown said...

JM is hilarious! Can't wait to see everyone! Is the week of May 2-11 ok? June won't work out bc another girl is out that week. I'll call you later to talk about it. Can't wait to see what Brookie is having!! How exciting;)
XOXO
Cous

Melissa said...

Forgot to mention a couple of things....you can download a free 30 day trial of Photoshop Elements from the Adobe website. Also, I have some short lessons for things like changing the background to b/w, etc. that I can send you if you're interested.

Ashley Turnbull said...

How exciting, Darby! I love the pictures, and I am so impressed you already have such rockin' knowledge! Keep practicing! I keep telling myself that I need better models. The war beagles do not suffice. Next model will arrive sometime in early June. Whohoo!

PS. I ordered the 50 mm for my D60; it was very costly just b/c Nikon lenses have the motor built in. But, I had researched to no end and knew it was the best for portraits, kids, etc. So fast and great in low light. You'll LOVE it. Mine should arrive TODAY!

Courtney said...

have you heard of/checked out Picasa?? you can download it for free and it's GREAT - lets you change lots of stuff in your pictures! i LOVE it. i just got photoshop...but it's so overwhelming i haven't done much with it. i still go to Picasa because it's so easy, and does a great job!

andi said...

Howdy friend!!!! I got a Rebel too. We'll have to discuss photo soon. I need help, like in a big way! I have so many ideas and of course, no idea about how to create the shots I want. You of course, will have read that silly manual and be able to help a mooch like myself figure out what in the world all of these buttons are. Let's do a personal tutorial? PLEASE!!!! You must help me so as not to let a good camera go to waste. I do want to catch up with you more than learn the camera. Can't wait to hear about the ultra sound! The pictures looked great!!! I am also in need of a bit of decorating advice those silly windows in the family room are haunting me.
PS-i got outside couch cushions. dying for them to come!!!!! mousetraps?

Kellie said...

I have the canon rebel too - it's the 350D - not sure what all the differences are..... just have the basic 18-55mm lens, but may look into that 50mm fixed lens thingy - KNOW NOTHING about photography, but sure LOVE it! How bout a tutorial???? SOOON!!!! Ya'll better do a post soon on what Erica's having - I can't wait to know!

Teale said...

Darby, your new camera rocks. I had my eye on it already after seeing Erika's pics... is it really user-friendly? Since you have all this free time (cough, cough...) I would love to see some shots using the different lenses. I know nothing about that stuff. Precious pics of kiddos!
(oh, did you make the popsicles?)

Linkis Family Love said...

Raiger looks like you, JM and Morgan, like Justin. Do you get that observation often?
Two questions: What kind of grass did you use in your eggs?
How did you make the yogurt popsicles? We have the popsicle molds, but not sure what to do with them, now? Oy!
Hope you LOVE, LOVE your camera. I got my "big girl camera", aptly named, Flash, last year, and I LOVE it! I STILL haven't read the directions, bc it has been so easy to pick up, point and shoot.
Happy Thursday!

Rachel said...

Your pictures are looking great! (It helps you have the most adorable kids to be your models too.)You may want to check out www.picnik.com for some photo editing. It's not the most professional, but it's fun and easy to play around with.

Becky said...

i haven't gotten to shoot any pics outside since i got my new one. i gotta get with it. sop sop sop up every last one of 'em. even mom. hey, i'll be in dothan in 2 weeks. will you be there?

Dianne said...

What great models you have!!!! Can't wait to hear from Erika about the baby.

Debra said...

... and that's the very camera I should have treated myself to...I've heard so much about it!
My next treat to myself I guess...
Takes amazing photos. Have fun with it and thanks for the tip!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

Love the pics! Esp. the one with John Martin in the background with yogurt pop on his face. And the one with your mom kissing him.
Will be thinking about Erica all day! So exciting!

Unknown said...

I think this is my favorite Darby post ever. The story is so fun and that picture of John Martin crying while Paige cranes her neck back is priceless. Go you with your new camera.

Shireen said...

Told you that you'd be a pro-photographer. I haven't been commenting...oh, but I'm keeping up! ;)

I canNOT believe your mom's been with you guys ALL this time!! I know you are SO thankful!

Your children are gorgeous and handsome, Darby, and your hair is SO long!!! :)

Along with everyone else, I'm LOVING the pics! They are absolutely wonderful!!! They say SO much!! :) In fact, just as you've shown with the popsicle (are those homemade??? :)) "incident," your camera has just told a sweet story!

I can't get over how much JM is growing, girl!

Unknown said...

Love your photos; they are great!! Have you tried www.picnik.com? it's a free photoediting website. I've played around with it a bit and it's very cool.

I have to ask...did you make those posicles??

:o) mg said...

Your mother is beautiful and quite photogenic. I love how the picture of her (wearing her glasses low) has her in focus and everything behind her is blurred. Great new camera. I have camera envy now.

The Hams said...

Hi Darby,
I am a friend of Ashley and Tegan's who "blog stalks" you =) I love reading your posts and I must agree with you on the camera purchase! I bought the same camera when it came out last Spring and I LOVE IT! With a son who is almost two and twins that will be here in 3 weeks, I can say that it's a great camera for taking shots of little ones! Your pictures are great!!

alison giese Interiors said...

I've been glued to Erika's blog & FB page today WAITING!! I KNOW you know ;)

The pictures are amazing! Which lens did you use on those? If its the 50mm, I'm very impressed - I love mine, but with my body (Nikon D40), its not an auto-focus, so I'm always a little slow catching the best candid moments.
Good stuff, all!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE that you LOVE your new camera, because we get to see all the pictures of your beautiful children.

Keri A. Ward said...

Hi Darby, its me again "Yada Yada"! I have some ideas that you can do with your grass. My aunt has some of that same stuff and last year she used it as part of the table center piece for our Easter family dinner. She put some in a basket with cute little eggs and bunnies on the table. SUPER CUTE. I think she planted it in an old brownie pan so there was a LOT and it ended up looking like a piece of sod. (hehe) I like what you did with the eggs. :)

Your photos are splendid and the ones of the kiddos are just priceless. You are doing an awesome job capturing those moments.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Thos popsicles, in the pool - I can only wish. It's snowing today in Denver!!

Katie said...

I don't know you Darby, but I love your blog. I found it through a friend/sorority sister of mine from Troy. Just a fellow blogger and I've never commented before, but I figure you've seen me pop up before and needed to let you know who I was.
Katie Snow
Millbrook, AL

Unknown said...

I forgot to add...We did the band-aid's on Mad's thumbs when we were trying to break her habit (interestingly enough she was also four). It only took three days and voila! No more thumb.

Best of luck to the sweet girl!

Candice said...

How do you make the popsicles? Your kids are cute, the camera is amazing, I am jelous, and oh yeah, you are so lucky to have your mom stay with you. I wish my mom could stay with me forever, she only lives like 7 miles away, but it's different when they are in your home, I know you know what I mean.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your fun, new camera!

I was going to suggest Picasa, too, as an easy and free introduction to photo editing. I also got a great deal on Paint Shop Pro through Frys.com; with a rebate I only paid like $13 a couple years ago. It has a lot of the same functions as photo shop (levels, curves, layers, etc.) but fit better into my budget.

Also, I came across a book that has really helped me with my slr. It's called, "Photographing Your Family: And All the Kids and Friends and Animals Who Wander Through Too"...It's written by a National Geographic photographer and was sooooo helpful in helping me get used to my slr, and learn how to do some really cool things with it.

Anyway, your blog is so fun to check in on. And congrats again about the camera! :0)

--Kate T.

The HoneaBees said...

I saw Photoshop at Costco a few months ago for about $50-80. I thought that was a good deal. (not sure if you have a costco)
I have the Nikon D60 and LOVE it...but am still learning!!
Your pics are awesome!

No.35style said...

precious pictures and your ring is gorgeous!!

The Brooks said...

I was wondering if you could tell me which of your lenses you use the most. I have the same fixed width lens that you have but am considering getting an additional lens. If you tend to use your fixed width the majority of the time, I will just stick with that one. It is just a pain sometimes b/c I can't zoom in or out. Thanks in advance for your help.

nealy said...

I just love your pictures! I have the same camera and use a 50mm as well...what setting do you use? Av? Manual?

Thanks!