Aren’t bloggers wonderful?
Because I’m a perfectionist, at least with respect to my fledgling artistic talents, I’ve been bemoaning the fact that my photographs haven’t been … well, picture perfect … right from the get-go. When my little point-and-click Olympus seemed to be taking blurry photos, I coughed up the cash to buy an advanced point-and-click Nikon Coolpix B700 because it seemed to have all the features I’d like, an extraordinary zoom capacity, and I wouldn’t have to carry around all those extra lenses and filters (read that story, here).
I suppose I expected the newer, more expensive camera to take professional, award-winning photos despite the lack of experience of its user. Surely, the owner’s manual would tell me how to use all those features, and if not, there are always photography-for-dummies books in the library.
But guess what – those books are confusing! It takes years to develop photography skills, and it takes a certain amount of talent. Needless to say, some people have more raw talent than others. But I’m working at it, and each photo seems to be just a wee bit better than the last one, at least in my view.
In any event, every time I’ve expressed any doubts about my photographic skills, other bloggers have jumped in to reassure me.
Especially Amy Rose. Amy seems to have made it her personal goal to boost me up every time I slide down emotionally, even to the point of taking time out of her very. very busy schedule to write a detailed comment explaining camera functions like lighting and aperture.
And then there is Marilyn Armstrong, who commented about editing a photo’s tilt. That aspect had never even occurred to me; I always just assumed that if I hadn’t held the camera perfectly straight, there was no way to fix that picture. At my age, holding anything straight is a challenge!
Today’s two photos are for Amy and Marilyn. There maybe would have been more, but hey, it was cold out there!
Thank you to Amy, Marilyn, and all the other bloggers who have provided much-appreciated technical and emotional support for both my writing and my photos. You are all awesome!
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Very nice, my dear. 🙂
I’m in awe of anyone who can take a good photo. It really is a difficult thing to learn!
LikeLike
More difficult than I thought it would be. I always just figured you pointed the camera, took the shot, and it’s perfect! (PS – While I didn’t specifically mention you, Linda, you know I’ve appreciated your support over the past few years, too.)
LikeLike
I know. As I appreciate you and all you do, my friend. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh, I don’t remember giving you any tips. I don’t like giving out unsolicited advice. But I’ve also enjoyed your photography. I suspect you beat yourself up more than is necessary.
By the way, I love the top photo, with the tree, with the snow falling.
LikeLike
Thank you, Tippy. While you never gave me any actual tips (other than to say you had the same camera and had no problems with it), your support through your comments has been much appreciated. I simply couldn’t name every one of my blogging friends in this particular post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent photos CM… I always enjoy your photographic adventures, even if it’s out the front/back door of the house.
LikeLike
Thanks. I’m fortunate that the new house has enough space that I can actually take some decent photos.
LikeLike
Since I take all my pictures with my cell phone, you pictures look FANTASTIC! Be gentle with yourself…
LikeLike
Thanks, AGMA. I’m glad you enjoy my photos – although between you and me, I’ve seen some awesome pictures taken with smartphones.
LikeLike
I know nothing about professional photography… but I always think your pics are lovely.
LikeLike
That’s exactly what I need to hear. I need to know that people are enjoying the pictures, even if they’re not perfect. I tend to lose sight of that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine are never ever perfect, but people enjoy them. And when I do take a good one? It’s all the more sweet!
LikeLike
Amen.
LikeLike
Way to go gal! You are doing great 💜
LikeLike
The offer still stands, Willow. Use any of my pictures as a basis for a story if you want. I’d be honored.
LikeLike
I will, I’d love to 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your photos and wouldn’t know an imperfection if it hit me in face. Keep doing what you’re doing, I love to visit your space
LikeLike
You’re so sweet! As long as you and everyone else keeps enjoying my work, I’ll keep publishing it. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You ARE getting better, but remember that a “one size fits all” zoom camera is never going to give you perfect shots. I use one too for a lot of pictures because although I have two expensive OM-D Olympuses, when I go out, I take my Panasonic FZ-1000 with it’s long zoom Leica lens because I don’t have to haul all those lenses.
In the 50 years I’ve been taking pictures, I’ve always hated swapping lenses. Some people can do it effortlessly, but I need a chair, a table and I’m always afraid I’ll drop something, or some kind of dirt will get inside my camera … or I’m just too lazy to do it, so I take all my pictures with whatever lens is already ON the camera. This has been true for as long as I’ve been taking pictures. I hate changing lenses and so do a lot of people. THAT is why long zoom lens quality cameras sell well.
Personally, I hate the Coolpix line of cameras. I have owned a couple and hated every one of them. But other people love them and if it works for you, then that’s great. I like the Panasonic because it has the Leica lenses, but these cameras a big and clunky and even with a single big lens, they are not even close to compact. They are more the size of a full DSLR with just one huge lens, but overall, they take really good pictures.
I also have a very small Leica which isn’t as good as it ought to be, but it’s small enough to fit into a pocket and when I don’t want to haul equipment, that’s what I camera take.
Some long lens small cameras aren’t very good. I have a pocket size Panasonic with a very long lens, but I’m never happy with the pictures I get. They are always “soft.” Lacking definition. I don’t know if this is true of all these cameras because lenses are not all the same, even if they are supposed to be the same. IF you are not happy with the quality of your pictures, it may not be “lack of talent,” but lack of a sharp lens. Every lens is, in the end, ground individually.
Also, you might find getting some good quality filters. Topaz makes the best ones and they will REALLY help you. Topaz filters are expensive, so I buy them one at a time when they go on sale. At this point, I think — after five years — I have all the ones I need. Until they invent a new one 😀
Your eye really IS fine. And rumors to the contrary notwithstanding, equipment matters. Don’t let anyone tell you how “a poor craftsman blames his tools.” If you’ve got a dull ax, you won’t cut down that tree no matter HOW hard you hit it.
I hope your new camera works brilliantly for you. If not, do your research and get one that does the job. You will not be the only person with more than one camera!
LikeLike
Marilyn, thank you so much for the lengthy comment. Your advice is very helpful, and your comment about my “eye” simply made my day this morning. I’ve actually been thinking of getting a third camera, but just can’t justify the cost at the moment. Once I get a little more confident with the ones I have, I’ll move into adding filters and lenses. Maybe someday I’ll become famous and able to afford a Hasselblad! (As if, but it’s always good to dream.)
Well, heck, if I ever come into a little money, I’ll visit you and you can teach me in person. Wouldn’t that be great? Especially since apparently neither you nor any of my other blogging friends won that Come to Buffalo contest. Bummer.
LikeLike
That second picture is a real classic. PLEASE back up your photographs to an external drive!!! I once lost ALL my pictures to a worm and it was awful. I have no pictures until 2012 because all the ones before it were destroyed by the “I Love You” worm.
LikeLike
Ugh. I was doing that for awhile, but got lazy. For what it’s worth, all my “good” photos are on either Flickr or YouPic so there is some back-up. But I’ll take your advice and start backing up onto the external hard drive again, especially now that my computer has been acting wonky. I need a new computer, but again, cost is a factor – especially since I just had to replace that chair. Why can’t I just win the lottery?!
(A “classic” ?? Really ?? You just became my favorite person in the whole world.)
LikeLike
Hooray for your framing and composition on these two, CM.
By the way, have you checked for WordPress’ photo courses? I took it a few years ago, and learned a bunch about composition while having fun taking photos. They offer it every now and again. Google …
LikeLike
I didn’t know WordPress had photo courses! I know YouPic does, but I dont’ recall if there’s a charge for those. I thought I’d start with the library books because they’re free, but find I really could use some hands-on teaching. The courses offered by local photographers are too expensive for me right now. Even the course offered in Adult Ed was a couple of hundred dollars, and I simply can’t justify it for what is essentially a hobby.
LikeLike
WordPress sends out daily lesson guides and a class center to ‘chat’ with others taking the course. Yes, free. I found it helpful, CM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Purrfect shots, CM. You are better than you think you are. (•‾⌣‾•)و ̑̑♡
LikeLike
People keep telling me that. Maybe someday I’ll believe it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person