The camera that has changed my life

I love pictures.  I love taking photos.  I love torturing my kiddos and my husband until I can get "just the right" photo. I am obviously joking but I will do what it takes to get the "perfect" and in the moment photo even if it means reliving the moment 10 times:)  The only camera I have ever used until now has been my iphone 4.  Sure,it takes fine pictures but I was missing the crispness and clarity from a nicer camera. 

So, a couple of months ago I went to Target with the purpose of walking out with a camera.  A lot of bloggers talk about the "Canon Rebel" so I figured it must be a good choice.  Without asking too many questions and taking only  a few test shots...I knew it it was the one and walked out with the Canon Rebel T5 and was a happy gal!!

So, for last Mother's Day, I told my hubbie the only thing I wanted was go to the barn as a family and spend time with our horse and take some pictures.  Some of the pictures turned out ok while some others were quite blurry and not crisp.  I immediately thought I made a bad decision with this camera.  In my head, I thought I was going to get some pretty nice images...maybe not magazine worthy...but decent.   A few weeks went by and I thought I was doomed...the photos were just not turning out.  So, I stopped using it. My next thought was I really need to sign up for a photography class.  Then,  my girlfried came over who knows a thing or two about cameras and photography so I asked her to take a look.  She gave me a few pointers...how to hold the camera, be really steady, light direction, etc.  And, then after fooling around with it for a second....there was an "ahaa" moment.  She took a few photos and they were not looking all that great.  Oh, thank goodness, it was not just me.  The lens was on manual focus. Blond moment for me, I guess, but in my defense I do not know anything about cameras.  Well, I am not a photographer, so needless to say, a manual setting was not going to work for me.  She switched it to automatic and that was when my life changed....I am now officially obsessed with taking photos....a few of my favorite home photos from the last few months.

 

 

 

 

 

And, some personal ones...

 

 

Once you download the photos...there are several pretty great options.  Very importantly,  and under tools, you can convert it to high definition. This gives it the crispness and clearness that I so badly craved. Then you can lighten it up, change the contrast, etc. The above photos have all been brightened up a bit and converted to high def.

 

Here is an example of one of the above photos that has not been converted or lightened up...pretty big difference, hugh?

 

 

 

One of my favorite examples of the difference a photographer and camera (as well as stylists, etc.) can make is this amazing house that I have blogged about before...here are a couple of images from  Domino magazine from a few years ago...

 

 

And the same rooms below but the images are from Apartment Therapy...I am assuming these were the homeowners photographs...

 

 

 Big difference, right?

 

Now, I am not claiming I am some great photographer.  I am most certainly not...but for an investment of $350ish...I can enjoy and collect nice images of my family, interiors, animals, etc. for many years to come. I hate to give my secret away but do yourself a favor....and get the Canon Rebel or something similar.  I would love to hear your thoughts on your favorite cameras and tricks of the trade!!

 

xo,

PAige