31 days to a better photo

I ran across this link again while on Pinterest last weekend.  As much as I LOVE photos and my camera, its really sad that I haven’t truly learned how to use my camera yet after owning it for nearly three years.  Sure, I’m decent at faking a good picture, but after owning it for two years, I have never managed to read the manual and only took one photography class {which was good, but I didn’t retain much and never bothered studying up on again}.

Here comes the challenge.  I am going to be dedicated in following this series.  Today I had to read my camera manual.  I’m pretty sure it had never been opened before.  I am not really one to read directions when I buy something.  I learn by immersion in the act of use or trial and error 😉  I’m pretty sure I have found some things that have been set {whether intentionally or just by goofing off} that have probably hampered my photo taking skills.  While not exactly exciting reading, I have surprisingly learned quite a bit already.

I also ordered my birthday gift {the Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras} over the weekend after doing a LOT of research for the past few months on additional lenses for my Rebel {specifically, I have the Canon Rebel Eos XSi}.  This works well because I get my gift early {like the camera in years past} and the husband doesn’t have to worry about finding me a gift!  I ultimately went with the advice I found here because she is not a professional yet takes amazing shots and has the same camera body I do {her twin sister is Erika from Urban Grace Interiors – one of my favorites ever!}.  The lens has a higher aperture setting, meaning that it will take those great portrait photos with the really blurry background – a look I have always loved.  This is probably a really boring gift to most, but I cannot even contain my excitement over this one.  Also given the number of pictures I take on a regular basis, I think its safe to say it will get used!

Anyone interested in following the series with me, feel free to do so – I could use a buddy to ensure I finish the whole thing!  I am hoping on weekends I can crank out extra sessions so it doesn’t take all 31 days.  And here’s to hoping I can start taking better snapshots soon!