new camera, new learnings

With the evolution of the blogging world, I've come to realize that I don't take very good photographs.  Of course, that hasn't stopped me from grabbing my camera and quickly filling a SD card.  It has, however, of late, made me realize that I just lack the education of how to take a good photo.  There must be a large part of my being that has to be in constant motion and have a sufficient level of 'overload' since I decided that I would undertake the task of educating myself on how to use my camera and how to take better pictures.  Enter, Karen Russell.

I've been hearing about Karen Russell for years.  She is local (Oregon) and has been teaching photography classes for some time.  A former scrapbooking partner once took Karen's class and came back raving "I'll never shoot a picture with my camera on auto again."  That was a fairly ringing endorsement for me.  Especially since I didn't really know that there was any other modes to shoot in!  A new scrapbooking partner also took a class from Karen and said that it changed the way she photographed.  Enough endorsements...I took the plunge.  I'm super excited to say that I'm taking Karen's class in January.  This is an online class, which is great for my schedule and I'm sure I'll be reading up on my homework assignments while I'm sitting at the pool with the kids.  I have no doubts that my photography skills will be markedly improved after the 9-week course.

If you have time, and would like another blog to read, stop by Karen's blog.  Not only is it very rewarding to read, her photographs are amazing!

Oh, did I mention that I'm getting a new camera?  I had a Canon Rebel XSi and it was a great camera...not a thing wrong with it.  But technology changes, more megapixels, etc. and I'm technology addicted.  When my dear friend Jill began talking about the new Canon Rebel T3i, I was intrigued.  I spent a little time (only 5, 6, 7 hours) checking out this camera online and I was hooked.  I'm not normally a lucky person, but in regards to this camera, the stars aligned.  I was able to order the T3i at almost no cost to me!  How did I do that, you might ask!  Well, a little gift certificate from an appreciative boss, and the sale of the XSi and I was on my way.  Now it's time to drool over lenses!  Hopefully very soon I'll be filling up my blog with new photos taken with the T3i.