[Lash]

Holy Jeebus!! My mom and I were talking out Christmas and this is really the only thing I want. She's, funny enough, wanted the exact same thing although she also wants the telephoto lens. So we are going to buy me the camera and her the lens since they are close in price and trade as we need both. She camps alot and needs the lens for the animals and scenery. It alone is like $400

So we are all going to go in together and split it. I am BESIDE myself excited!!!!!!!! I also might ask my MIL if she wants to go in with us since she wanted Christmas Ideas for both of us.

Thanks THANKS for the camera recommendations

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

WOOOOHOOOO!

[lauren in hi]

Awesome! Canons are the greatest cameras; I'm sure you will flippin' love it!

[Lash]

I miss the days of opening bright colored toys for Christmas but I guess if being an adult lets you plan your presents so its smarter for everyone, and I get a camera.. I'll take it!

[soImarriedAnerd]

Oh you will LOVE IT!!!! Do you know how to do manual settings on cameras? If not I am in the process of taking an online program (free) that has been helping! AND the new lens *jealous*.
12 weeks to better photos

[Lash]

^^ OH man thanks! I wanted to find some good sources like that so I can really learn. I"m lurking the photography board too

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Lauren you should totally join flickr. No offense to our photography board... but I think that you'll learn a lot more on flickr. & you can add Ben!

[LisanAndy]

Awesome! I need a new camera, I hate they way my pics turn out.

Whoo hoo!!! You're going to love it!!

I am totally jealous!!! Thats sooooo awesome! Then just think of all the pics you can share!!

[Frozendesire]

Yup jealous here too!! Hehe. That's awesome And what a great way to do it. It wont be hurting anyones bank to get it

[niknok]

You are going to love it! Can't wait to see the first pics.

[Mars]

That's awesome!! From what I've heard, you're going to have a blast with it!!

[ScottishBrit]

YAY!!!! Thats what i got for my bday. I wanted an XTI but DH got me the next one up the XSI.... You'll love it! Super jealous of the les, you'll have great pics!

[soImarriedAnerd]

Lauren you should totally join flickr. No offense to our photography board... but I think that you'll learn a lot more on flickr. & you can add Ben! [/b]

I thought Flickr was just like photobucket...a place to store pictures?! *off to scope out flickr*
Does Ben have any recommendations for cool learning sites besides Flickr???



Lauren I'm on the photography board at times also--It moves SO fast I have hard time catching up with posts, plus I'm not to their level yet so I still confused by the lingo. If you find any cool sites or how to's please post them... Me and Amy are also still learning! I'm sooo excited for you!

[petalfuzz]

Congratulations!

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

I thought Flickr was just like photobucket...a place to store pictures?! *off to scope out flickr*
Does Ben have any recommendations for cool learning sites besides Flickr???


[/b]

My thing with the JM photog board is just that... you know JM is super friendly/nice/welcoming... and those are all great qualities but when you post pics for CC (most) people just compliment you or sugar coat things and tell you photos are good... that aren't.

flickr is similar to PB in that there's a lot of photo sharing going on, but it's really quite different. You add contacts so whenever they post a new photo it shows up in your 'stream' to view from your homepage. You can leave comments and critisicms on people's photos. You can favorite the ones you like. And then... where I think Ben learned a TON about not only what camera equiptment would be a good buy for what he needs... but also about different light set-ups, etc. is from the groups. There are groups for EVERYTHING. Beginner groups, natural light groups, strobe groups, wedding photography groups, etc. etc. etc.

I tease him about how I have JM and he has his flickr buddies. There are local boards that get together for meets, and it's neat to see on a local board pictures of the same places you've been but with different perspectives, etc.

I'd have to ask him if he has any info on websites (he's not home now) but he pretty much just self-taught and learned new things from flickr.

I have heard a lot of great things about the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson... so I bought it for Ben. I don't think he's really read the whole thing, but I have and it did help solidify my understandings of ISO, aperture, & shutter speeds. But the guy was a film photographer, which to me, while the principals are the same, its just totally different so I wasn't that impressed with the book. But it's worth looking into as you'll likely hear about it.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I would love to see Ben's picturs site! Would he be ok if you shared it, or at least PM'd me it so I can learn from him.....
ok that sounds all star wars like doesn't it... "oh teach me" LOL

[~Caroline~]

I really want a camera like that! It's so expensive though. Maybe I could convince my mom and Chris to buy it together for me (combined birthday/xmas gift).

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

I would love to see Ben's picturs site! Would he be ok if you shared it, or at least PM'd me it so I can learn from him.....
ok that sounds all star wars like doesn't it... "oh teach me" LOL[/b]

His website is benhelton.com and that's his little self made blog site thing. his gallery needs to be updated, he hasn't changed it in a long time so it still has all of the weddings from the first like 3 he did. I'm not wild about it b/c I think he has better pictures to use for it, but mostly b/c it goes in order and I wish the different weddings were all mixed up. But yeah, on the main 'blog' section it first takes you to you can see some of his more recent work.

If you want to stalk him on the regular, click here to see his flickr stuff.