My Equipment

I wasn't going to start posting photos here until 2013, but what the hell. Consider this one a part of the introduction. Or perhaps a celebration of the world not actually ending, so there WILL be a year of Photography to use all of this.

Obviously, this is my equipment. OR Another Self Portrait with Camera in Mirror thing.

My Equipment: The Crap Camera

Let me introduce you to my crap camera.

The most important thing about it is that it's cheap.
I felt the need for it when I went out one night with a few of my friends, and (naturally) decided to leave the camera at home. On a good night out, however, some photos to document the evening would have been nice. I also felt somewhat reluctant to wave my phone around, because I was a bit drunk and would hate to lose it.

So, welcome Vivitar ViviCam 7024.

I got it too late to accompany me for one of those nights out, but it's a rather handy size to bring around with me in areas where I'm reluctant to take and use more expensive equipment. I'm simply not afraid to lose this one.

Because honestly, WHO THE HELL would want to steal it?!

Crap Camera's Greatest Hits

London Eye, taken during the Olympics

Fire. Hot.
This one turned out much better than expected.

Fire.
Pink? Does show off my camera's many limitations, but I quite like it anyway.

Moon.
For a photo where nothing is actually in focus, I'm quite happy with it. It's atmospheric.

My Equipment: iPhone

iphone, iphone, iphone...
It's with me everywhere I go, and yet I rarely think of it as a camera.
It's slow to turn on, and the photos rarely turn out very well. We just don't get along. I actually prefer the crap camera if there's a choice between the two. Nonetheless, I use the iPhone camera if there's nothing else around. And some people seem to just have a way with them, so it could potentially be a valuable piece of equipment... right?

I have occasionally used my iPhone when I've been out on various walks, because I have a nasty habit of forgetting my camera at home. (bad)

iPhone Greatest Hits

View from the shopping centre in Wood Green.

Stonehenge. Facing the wrong direction.

Nearby wood. Pretty.

Public footpath. Also pretty.

Nearby road. Lovable until some car comes along very very fast and you can't really get out of the way.

Just saying.

Gardermoen airport, Norway

A glass of ice water in front of golden tea light holder

My Equipment: Canon EOS 550D

When I decided to buy a digital SLR camera, I decided not to go for the typical 'cheap cheap cheap' beginner's camera you'll outgrow in a couple of years. The 550D seemed to be a good choice as a first SLR camera that will also serve you well when you're no longer an absolute beginner.

I love this camera, and I've still got an awful lot to learn from it. I'm probably not using it to anywhere near its full potential. But I'm going to do something about that now.

I've been getting some good shots with this, but need to get out of the habit of always shooting in full auto if I'm going to get anywhere with it.

SLR Greatest Hits

With a new camera, everything is interesting. Even dandelion. 

Dandelion is beautiful.

One may argue that a sightseeing trip on Iceland will leave you with many impressions and beautiful sights. The ducklings were a bonus. Gorgeous <3

I've already posted this one on my blog containing my regular everyday ramblings, but I like this picture a lot. Summary: if you're having work done on your stairs, keep an eye on your builders to make sure they're doing all they can to minimize the mess.

Yellow moon, I found the colour interesting. Also, I'm impressed with my camera for managing to capture it. I did mess with my settings a bit on this one and don't remember what turned out best (wouldn't surprise me if the answer is 'full auto')

Also love the possibilities for self-portraits you get with a tripod, remote shooting and a laptop. This piece was about the (lack of) separation between the artist him/herself and the artwork. 

This little bugger (Big Boris, despite PROBABLY being female) lived outside my kitchen window and very nearly scared me to death every night for ABOUT HALF A YEAR. Thanks. 

The Year of Photography

Photography is something of a hobby of mine. I used to bring my camera with me everywhere. For some reason, it's been mostly unused recently. Poor camera. And I even made the effort and economic commitment to upgrade to a digital SLR a couple of years ago.

So of course I've been looking for ways to improve my photography as well as inspiration for interesting projects. One I keep coming across is the '365 Challenge'.

This one seems to come in 2 different forms; the daily photo, and the daily self-portrait. Since I'm not quite narcissistic enough for a daily self-portrait, (though maybe a weekly one could be interesting), I guess I'll be doing the general daily photo one.

I'm sure it will be an excellent way of learning photography, experimenting with my equipment, and incorporating interesting creative projects, or alternatively,  just living the cliché.

Either way - I intend to post my photos on this blog, the good, the bad and the interesting....

Here's my new year's resolution - let's make 2013 The Year of Photography.