Photography 101

So I have a new obsession.  Photography.

I need a creative outlet.  Something that I can do.  Something I can do all my own yet have some sort of purpose.

I am not really that great at it.  But I like it.  I have one of those nicer DSLR cameras that every new mom totes around.  I can take pretty pictures of my screaming, crying children.  It's awesome.  Every once in a while they look like they are laughing or maybe even smiling when in reality its just when they had to calm down to actually breathe.  ;)

I recently signed up for a photography class.  It was a splurge for me.  The cost of the class is the equivalent of 3 therapy sessions (after insurance), 6 weeks of ballet, or 2.5 cans of Robert's formula (!!!).  And not to mention my time spent away from home.  But for sanity's sake, it is all worth it!

On the first day, we all pull out our cameras and it is definitely a show and tell where everyone starts comparing who has the biggest, the newest, the sparkliest.  Besides the woman that showed up with her pink point and shoot, I have the bobo camera.  I about choked at paying $800+ for my camera and the kit lens 3 years ago.  I have hauled it everywhere.  I have taken thousands and thousands of pictures.  Most are terrible.  Some, by complete accident, turn out fabulous.  I play with the buttons.  I basically mess it all up and then I put it all back together again.  It is like this big giant camera puzzle.  :)

For our first class session, we didn't take a single picture.  We didn't do much of anything with the actual camera with the exception of half of the class learned how to turn it on and hit the button.  I was a little bummed after class.  It was easy to see all these super fancy cameras with all their accessories in their shiny perfect camera bags.  I came home all sad, texted my most famous photographer friend who gave me some wise advise..."A perfect camera is like a perfect Bible...not used much."  Love her.

My camera has a few scrapes.  It has a ding in it from being dropped off the stroller in DisneyWorld.  It has been pulled off the table when the strap was left a little too close for the reach of small hands.  I have tried to be careful with it.  I have kept it stored in its bag.  I have kept the strap around my neck when handling it.  But it still has that used look.  I am sure my fellow classmates look at my camera with pity.  But I love it just as it is.

The reality is when I am super duper old, I will have no counterpart that says, "Remember when..." and reminds of me of the most spectacular of moments long filed away in my mind or even the everyday messes and struggles that seem so tiring right now.  I will have my pictures of these times.  They may not all be framed and highlighted on my wall, but they are there.  And if that is most of what I have then I want gorgeous pictures that provoke a feeling, a memory, a thought, an idea, and a passion.

As my class progresses, I hope to post my "homework" and see what you think!