The Camera

My equipment

Canon Rebel Xsi DSLR

Canon Macro–EF 100m f/2.8

Canon walk-around #1 —EF 28-135mm f/3

Canon walk-around #2–EF 18-55mm

Canon zoom–EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6

Canon portrait—-50mm f 1/4

Sigma wide-angle

Equipment bag (LOVE THIS)

Canon 430 EX II Speedlight Flash

I picked up a camera about 3 years ago and fell in love with it. I started out using a Kodak Easy Share. I started off taking pictures of anything and everything.

Check out my first few pictures on my gallery

It was with that camera that I was introduced to Flickr. I quickly found some interesting groups to get ideas and ways to express my creativity or lack thereof. I found the most influential group to date..the 365. This group had one rule: Take one picture each day with some part of your body in it. Use yourself as the subject and try every possible technique, lighting, lens, post-editing, etc. It did not matter how good or bad the shots turned out, all that mattered was that you had fun and tried to learn how to use your camera. So, I did it.

365 days—That was a lot of pictures. I learned a lot, though. One thing I notice when I go back to look at the whole stream is I’m drawn to black and white. I love the shadows, the contrast, and the many colors of black/white.

I also learned not to be ashamed of my face. Or my shape and size.

I learned that dedication to a year long project leads to dedication in other areas. Commitment takes heart and determination. So does life.

Here is the link to the whole stream  Journey to the Unknown-365 Days of Me

After the 2008 Olympic Triathlon Trials, where I took over 500 pics, my Kodak died. Just died right there in my hands. I had worn it out in a few short months.

But what a way to go out.

My next camera was a small point and shoot by Canon. I weighed the options between Canon and Nikon and went with the Canon and I have not been disappointed. I continued with the 365 project and during that time, my little buddy Frankie came to live with me.

Finally, in November 2008, I used my very hard-earned summer school teaching money to purchase my first dSLR. I went with the Canon XSi. I have carried this around ever since. I have invested heavily in some good glass along the way, including the 50mm f/1.4 which is what I use for the majority of my food pics.

My last year of shooting included another Olympic Triathlon trials

A trip to Colorado

And…..snow!!!