PowerHouseCreatives Contest - So Happy I Took The Leap and Bought...
@zord189 came up with this idea for this weeks #PowerHouseCreatives contest, details here
tell folks about one thing that you've bought that you think is worth it? Or the best thing you have bought?
Instantly my new Canon PowerShot SX60 HS camera came to mind. It was a long time coming but oh! what a difference it has made in my photography and dare I say parts of my life!
When I first moved into the forested community in northern Saskatchewan I was quite taken with the beauty surrounding me and wanted to capture that beauty somehow. My first instinct was to paint it but alas my painting skills were not that good plus my patience wasn't there either so I thought I'd capture it through photography! I had a simple little camera back before memory cards came out and was limited to how many photos I could take without downloading them to another device. I was visiting my sister on the coast and her partner had a nice simple Canon he was taking pictures with so I decided to treat myself and get a Canon Point and Shoot. It was the PowerShot A495.
I particularly was happy to have it when I began photographing the many wild blooms that were coming up around our forest home. Here is a selection of a few.
Tiger Lily
Brown-eyed Susans
Fireweed
Hyssop
JJ and Marsh Marigolds
My original idea was to make a book with these blooms from the boreal forest but then I got posting some of my pictures on Steem with write ups of some of the medicinal qualities and uses of these plants (that is another interest of mine - herbalism and wildcrafting) sharing them in the @NaturalMedicine community. When I became a member of the #PowerHouseCreatives I began looking at some of the marvelous photography shared there and thought I'd like a better camera.
When I was having some trouble with my old camera my husband encouraged me to do the research and get myself a decent camera for he saw how much I was enjoying taking photos and blogging. I was always a bit reluctant to spend money on myself but he told me
with the fiat money you never know what the value of it would be so it was better to invest it in something you would enjoy than have it sitting in savings!
I really didn't know much about cameras so I started asking some of the folks on Steem, who's photography I admired, what they would recommend. Up stepped @papilloncharity with the recommendation of the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS. It was still a point and shoot but with lots of features and the 60X Zoom plus a good online manual. He thought I would be happy with it and I sure was!
I couldn't believe the difference in quality of the images I took and I could get wonderful closeups of the moon and birds (one more interest of mine - bird watching). I was hooked! Photography was becoming my new passion and I continue to be inspired by the many wonderful photographers here on Steem!
Here's a selection of some of my moon closeups and some of the birds visiting my yard.
Close Up of Full Moon
Close Up of Moon in Full 60x Zoom
Ringed Full Moon Shines Behind Poplar And Spruce Silhouettes
Close Up of Pine Grosbeak in Snowy Branches
Close Up of Great Horned Owl Sitting on Frosted Branches
Close Up Downy Woodpecker on Poplar Tree
With this new found passion and love of capturing the beauty of nature I found I had one more reason to get outside (even when it was 30 below Celcius. The picture of the ringed moon was taken when it was 30 below) and I would spend more time in awe and wonder at the glorious scenes that were presented to me. It gave me reason to get out and witness the sunsets and sun rises, and I started looking more at the macro worlds. With Steem I had a place to share my photos and loved the engagement!
Here is a sample of some of my sunset, sunrise photos and macro photos.
Sunset and Purple Rain
Silhouettes of Spruce Trees Beneath Expansive Cloud Covering Colored by the Setting Sun
Sun Rising Among the Poplar Trees With It's Lovely Pink Rays Shining on the Snowbanks
Hoar Frost on Blade of Grass Makes a Feathery Design
Frosted Pine Cones
Poplar Bud covered With Long Needles of Hoar Frost
As I am coming closer to retirement my photography is becoming more important to me and I've got some photography courses to take as I continue to challenge myself to try new and different things with my camera. I am forever grateful for the new technologies that allow amateurs like me to capture some of the beauty around them plus you wonderful Steemians who encourage me to continue sharing my photos!
All flower photos were taken with my Canon Powershot A495 the rest of the photos were taken with my Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
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Very nice @porters, I too bought a new camera last Summer, a NIKON D5600. It has more bells and whistles than I know what to do with or how to use, but I'm still "a larnin'" as the hillbillies would say.
Very nice images too, and the explanations. Well done indeed.
I believe I had seen some of your photos with your poetry - they were beautiful! Are you taking any training or just experimenting and learning as you go?
If you saw an image with my poetry, it wasn't mine. before I began taking
My own images, but had begun writing original works I was scalping
Images from google.
Then when I began posting my works outside FB (in Tsū, a pay-for-posting predecessor to Steemit) I was told that this was a big no no, so I found two sites that offered excellent quality, copyright free images.
Those are what I use now for 95% of my writing, always linking out to the source.
Pixabay .com and Unsplash .com are my two "go to" sites.
Thanks for your interest @porters. So to answer your question about training; mostly just trial and error, but I HAVE watched a couple of YouTube tutorials.
Didn't help a lot imo
Wow! What more can I say?!? ❤❤❤ The pictures are all beautiful. What a magnificient selection you have! 😍
You made me think of investing for a camera too! Hahaha! 😁😂
Maybe one day, who knows? 🤔 Thank you for sharing your lovely experience with us. It's worthwhile reading your blog and seeing your photo collection. 😍
Go for it! Invest in the camera! I wonder why I waited so long for I really enjoy it! glad you enjoyed my photos!
Oh yes, when the right time comes.
We are SO proud to have you as a member of our
FANTABULOUS Power House Creatives family!
upvoted and resteemed!
❤ MWAH!!! ❤
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From someone who loves photos, I have to agree this was one of your best purchases! I simply love your photos!
Thank-you! I'm so glad you enjoy my photography!
I found the pictures with the old camera really good, but it's true, the newer one adds a lot more color and depth to the images! Perhaps you have evolved your technique as well. I always enjoy your photography a lot and I think we can expect further evolution yet!
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Glad you enjoy my photography and yes further evelution in the future! It's good to here this for I sometimes wonder how much value I am adding to the blockchain with what is turning out to be more and more photography post but I am enjoying it so and I love sharing my photos!
Gorgeous photos! A feast for my eyes!
I think the last good thing I bought was my camera too. That's what I was planning to enter this contest with, but I think I took too long! lol
Btw. your photographs are wonderful!🤩
You do have to Sunday Night, 15/03/2020, 5.59PM (Cape Town) can you get it done by then. It would be good to hear your story and perhaps see some photos!
Given the opportunity, I always encourage people to buy a camera. You've done some great things with yours! Those of us who follow you see how much it means to you, too.
@papilloncharity really gave that extra boost when he gave me the recommendation of the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS which was just perfect for me! I love your photo52 challenge - it is challenging me to try different things! That reminds me I have to go check what this weeks theme is!
I must say, I think I would also love a proper camera, currently I am still using my phone camera!!
Some great photos you shared!!
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