37. Learn Photography

Today I moved yet another step closer to completing task number 37!! 

Even before I bought by Nikon D90 I knew it was going to be an investment, an investment in time and learning as well as a hole in my pocket financially! Well its taken me a while to decide exactly how and where I want to go about learning the basic knowledge that allows me to use my new camera as something more than just an expensive and bulky point and shoot!! 

I researched many options - Rice University, Community College, Leisure Learning Institute... before finally settling on the Houston Centre for Photography mainly because.. well mainly because their workshops are just so darn hard to get into... and thats got to be a sign of something good right?!?!?!

Anyway pre-enrolment opened last week for HCP members and I've been stalking the website ever since as I am just a poor general lay person (I did look into becoming a member but at this point its just not worth it). So, today, finally was the day - enrolment for us plebs!! Worried, of course, that the classes would sell out before I even had a chance to fight my way into a spot, the first thing I did when I arrived at work at 7am, yes before I even went and made myself a cuppa, was start up the 'puter and try to enrol... Well much to my surprise they hadn't opened enrolment yet... so like a good little stalker I kept refreshing the page every 15 minutes until 4 hours later I finally got the chance to jump on the coveted spot in the class of my choice... 

Beginning Photography: Camera 

with Laszlo Perlaky May 5, 12, 19, & 26, 7pm - 9pm

This four-session, hands-on course is the first step towards mastering the art of photography. Here, you will be introduced to the basics of composition, color theory and white balance. Terms such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance will no longer seem mysterious as you learn what they are and how to use them to gain creative control over your images. The instructor will guide you in discovering how to maneuver through the different menu functions on your digital SLR camera. In addition, there will be out-of-class assignments that will help you to practice your newly gained technical knowledge. This class is great for the beginner who wants hands-on practice in learning to use his or her camera.

This course includes outside-of-class assignments to practice what you’ve learned.
This course includes: • Shutter speed, aperture and ISO
• White balance
• How to make your pictures look the way you want them to
• Hands-on practice
• Feedback on your images


So yes I know i have to wait until May (my fault... blame my work schedule) but I can't wait to discover all the really cool things my new toy can do... oh and of course start bugging Paul for all the new lenses I'm just going to haaaaaave to have!! :D 

37. Learn Photography

Ok well I admit that at this point I still most definitely cannot tick this task of my list and probably wont be able to for quite a while yet however I'm happy to report that this weekend I did move one step closer to fulfilling my life long ambition of taking my love of photography to the next level with the purchase or rather order of an SLR digital camera!! 

After getting the go ahead from Paul through the use of an IOU one birthday present note I started my research - who knew there where so many different camera out there?!?!? I was torn for quite a while between Canon and Nikon but after much soul searching and honest personal contemplation as to why I actually wanted a SLR and of course continual reference to a photography terminology guide I am now the very happy owner of a Nikon D90 http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

My very soon to be most favourite toy - the Nikon D90 

What made me decide on the Nikon D90 in the end? Well its a prosumer level camera meaning it straddles the divide between a professional and a consumer camera giving it additional professional features, better lenses and more control over exposures than a consumer camera without the professional price tag (after all lets face it, yes I would love a Nikon D700 but would it really be worth the $2700 price tag?? And thats before you even start thinking about lenses!!). So in the end it means the D90 is going to keep me happier for longer and will allow me to 'grow into it' rather than having to upgrade once I find my feet. 

Best bit of all was that I got an awesome deal for it via Amazon... hey who doesn't love Amazon?? Free 2 day shipping, no sales tax and fantastic every day deals!! The hardest thing now is going to be not opening that little Amazon box that will soon be calling my name so temptingly until Paul gets home from his rig float (no fair *pout* but I guess it was part of the terms and conditions of the IOU.. thats right my birthday gifts come with terms and conditions LOL)

So I guess the next step will be signing up to a course with the Houston Community College or Leisure Learning Unlimited so I can figure out what all these cool buttons actually do and take advantage of my new baby.... bring on the squirrel photos!!!