My Camera, My Buddy

[MDJAK]

Here I sit, at my Stinkpad laptop computer, with my faithful 1dsmkII right next to me. I pick it up, snap some interior shots at different settings, review them, delete them and do it again. I love my camera. I have four or five bags. In fact, I've lost count. I'm planning on going to b&h this weekend to buy yet another, maybe a domke, probably a crumpler. But when I'm home, sitting at my notebook, it's sitting right on my desk next to me, no bag, no cover, no nothing standing between me and it.

My camera is my friend, ready to help me record history at a moment's notice.

Am I ready?

[tim]

Have some confidence in yourself! Change the order of the last sentence: "I am ready!". Even if you're not, by going out and doing you'll increase your skills and be ready that much sooner :)

[MDJAK]

Thanks, Tim, for your vote of confidence. I have taken some great shots, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

But I'm a tryin', that's for sure. That's why I love this forum and all the people on it.

[tim]

Practise, with some reading and looking at pictures, makes perfect in this game, IMHO. At least you can't blame your gear ;)

[jbradc]

Here I sit, at my Stinkpad laptop computer, with my faithful 1dsmkII right next to me. I pick it up, snap some interior shots at different settings, review them, delete them and do it again. I love my camera. I have four or five bags. In fact, I've lost count. I'm planning on going to b&h this weekend to buy yet another, maybe a domke, probably a crumpler. But when I'm home, sitting at my notebook, it's sitting right on my desk next to me, no bag, no cover, no nothing standing between me and it.

My camera is my friend, ready to help me record history at a moment's notice.

Am I ready?
You have heard the saying..."You are what you eat" right? Well, I believe you are what you read. Slow down and surround yourself with magazines and books that are filled with the kinds of images you want to create. Read, shoot and read some more. Being a good photographer is a journey, not a destination. I know it sounds corny but it's the truth. As Yoda would say "do or do not, there is no try".

[RJSorensen]

It is easy to take pictures . . . it is something else to become a photographer. Those whom I see, those whom I believe are 'good,' they seem to be able to get into the zone. This zone is, or so I hear, a magical and wonderful place of mind and machine of eye and creation . . . seeing beyond what can be seen.

Many wish to become and be so . . . If you have the will, you will also be able to find a way.

[pradeep1]

Interesting thread...I don't know what you guys are talking about. :?

[Kennymc]

Here I sit, at my Stinkpad laptop computer, with my faithful 1dsmkII right next to me. I pick it up, snap some interior shots at different settings, review them, delete them and do it again. I love my camera. I have four or five bags. In fact, I've lost count. I'm planning on going to b&h this weekend to buy yet another, maybe a domke, probably a crumpler. But when I'm home, sitting at my notebook, it's sitting right on my desk next to me, no bag, no cover, no nothing standing between me and it.

My camera is my friend, ready to help me record history at a moment's notice.

Am I ready?

No you are not ready, sitting on your backside in front of a notebook will not improve your photographic skills... You have a camera that most people only dream of and you're sat at your computer... Good equipment does not make a good photographer, practice, practice, practice does... Get out and take anything in all kinds of lighting situations and find out what works and what doesn't... Having a camera at the ready doesn't make you a good photographer, being able to handle any subject in any lighting condition and produce the goods does... :rolleyes:

[dphotomania]

You are definitly NOT ready. But I am, I will use it for you. Any I am in NY too, I will come and pick it up. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

Now, seriously MDJAK. If you dont go out and start shotting, how do you know when you are ready! Like the Lottery always say. "HEY, you never know!" Maybe you are ready all along but you just dont know, since you have not shot any.

[PhotosGuy]

The more you take pics of what you see every day, the more ready you will be when that 1 in a 1000 opportunity happens in front of you & you'll be ready to get it without obsessing about 'Should I do this, or that, or...'. You'll just do it and capture what you see in your mind. Which will then allow you to see variations & you'll get them, too.
I can't say if you are ready, but you're on your way. Getting there is half the fun! ;-)

[jbradc]

Before you can create good images with your camera you have to see them in your mind. Some photographers call it previsualization or the art of seeing. Once you learn to see things in a unique way then you must learn how to capture that vision with your camera. I suggest you read "The Zen of Seeing" it is a great book that will help you see things differently. Here is a link to it on B & N. Enjoy!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=3U6AoKFB2p&isbn=0394719689&itm=4

[MDJAK]

I appreciate everyone's input. I am reading to improve. Believe me, since I've gotten into this, I haven't watched TV. When I'm not working or taking care of my kids, when I'm not posting or watching the epsononlineexperience.com, when I'm not posting questions and reading answers on this forum, I'm out shooting, shooting in my backyard, in my house, my kids, the high school sports teams to whom I supply 8x10's all the way to 16x20's for free.

I have my new camera for about a month and a half and have shot almost a thousand pictures. For some, that's miniscule, I know. For me, it ain't bad.