Today I Shall Open My Camera Box — A Poem, And Other Somewhat Related Thoughts
Photography | Posted by Jannie on 27 February 2011 @ 10:16 AM 25 Comments
Today I shall ease a steak knife
tenderly along the sealing tape.
Maybe out on the back deck
on this lovely birdsong morning.
Other great places to meet
my new camera might be…
Botanical Gardens
Buckingham Palace
somewhere in Rome
Up on the roof (maybe not such a great idea with the sharp knife.)
Up in my tree. (again, the knife.)
Down at the lake park.
Endless possibilities
this late morning
with spring dripping
from the leaves
and from my hair
and the cats eyes
he who is enjoying
the birdfest debut.
~~ end of poem.
(written 2 mornings ago.)
Since I penned the above,
I have indeed opened my new camera!
In our own living room, Friday night.
Here’s the very first photo I took with it
Saturday afternoon outside the taco shop…
Now, bear in mind, that other than dialing up macro
and pushing what was hopefully the shutter button,
I had NO idea what I was doing with the new camera.
I dedicate that dandelion to Talon
who is waiting for her flowers to bloom.
But maybe for the snow to melt first!
Talon, a blog-garden friend of great depth and beauty,
she who brings us many blooms via her lens and words.
Coincedentally, I DID take my still-unopened toy with me Friday, to a couple places.
But no moment seemed quite right to finally meet my new camera.
The library…
And a restaurant, where you can see my daughter’s elbow only…
as she was diving under the table, embarassed her mom was taking such a photo.
She’s long since over it tho! And much happy water under the bridge in the meantime.
Like the Marathon Kids Finisher Ceremony Saturday at noon. That was fun!
It was a grey, misty day, but lovely.
(All pix in this post by iPhone.)
(Except Talon’s dandelion, of course!)
xoxo
Now, to go pick up that child from the sleepover birthday party.
I bet they had a blast!!
On 27 February 2011 at 11:17 am Mrs4444 said,
jealous, but happy for you
Congrats on your new toy!
On 27 February 2011 at 11:19 am Daisy said,
It’s a beautiful photo indeed, Jannie! How exciting! Looking forward to seeing more.
On 27 February 2011 at 11:49 am Aimee said,
Yay! I used a steak knife yesterday to open my brand new laptop. “Steak Knifes: For more than just meat”
Wonderful inaugural photo by the way…still dreaming of spring here in BC
On 27 February 2011 at 1:39 pm Jannie said,
Hi Mrs 4444, my dear! Well, it’s a $200.00 range camera, but I’m hopeful it and I shall find a common ground to bring us all some pretty images. I imagine it’ll take me a while to get to know how to work it well. I really like the zoom feature — NO zoom on an iPhone. Whoooooohooooooo.
Ahhh, thanks Daisy. You think so? It was just my first photo, as I said. Kinds shooting in the dark — well, on a greyish day, it was.
Such a cute little dandelion. Perhaps I shall find daisy soon to snap for you!! Whoooooohooooooo.
Hi Aimee!! Well, at least in BC spring comes earlier than the rest of Canada. In fact, I’m sure you’ve got some spring signs there now. All I did to that pic was a crop. Lovin’ the whole 14MP thing, whoooooohooooo.
xoxoxoo
On 27 February 2011 at 1:40 pm Talon said,
Thank you for the burst of beautiful color! You’ve made a dandelion look as fine as the most cultured roses, Jannie! I needed that today – more white stuff smothering our little portion of the world today.
Yay for steak knives and their ability to not only cut steak, but to open whole new photographic worlds!
xxx
On 27 February 2011 at 4:05 pm Paige von Liber said,
I’m so excited…I can smell the package from here…the texture of the sweet bubble wrap and the wonderful popping…crisp booklet and newpaper
ah, you are the lucky girl
On 27 February 2011 at 4:18 pm Jannie said,
Hey, Dear Talon, it’ll be fun exploring the camera, my eye says this could be a little sharper. Will have to play with it. More white stuff — will make more moisture for those bulbs soon sprouting! Yes, won’t be long until your croci are pushing up, and hopefully we’ll get the benefit of some photos of them.
Dearest Paige, no bubble wrap within.
But lovely crisp and aromatic cardboard. The booklet was actually a little “floppy” but cute and small and in fourteen languages!!! I can work on my Spanish and Cantonese. 
I AM the lucky girl, and now just need a memory card, as the camera’s internal memory filled after 9 photos! 
xoxoxo
On 27 February 2011 at 7:20 pm Caity said,
Beautiful macro, Jannie! You will be a master photographer in no time! I can’t wait to see more awesome Jannie-tastic photos with your new camera!
On 27 February 2011 at 8:57 pm KB said,
Great pics from your new toy!
On 28 February 2011 at 2:39 am Moondustwriter said,
I’m so excited about your camera – would be nice if they could make ‘em to fit in your purse tho …
The first thing I noticed – The Taylor! I have a baby Taylor for my small fingers – hmmm sooo many reasons to love Jannie and the way she makes you smile. I do have to confess the elbow is a keeper
you know the song “I’ll Be There” – it will happen
Love from the Moon
On 28 February 2011 at 4:03 am SnaggleTooth said,
There are dandelions there?! I’m jealous! So nice of you to give Talon a flower… aw-
I can’t believe you waited so long to open it! You realize that cam box would’ve been openned immediately were that mine, n I would’ve clicked away asap too! When I got my cam, I took 65 pics the first day!
Need a new card eh? The 4 GB will prob work in that. (won’t in mine) How many megapixels is it? Bet you have to install software in Puter too. Have fun with your Cantonese!
On 28 February 2011 at 5:56 am secret agent woman said,
Great first shot. I know you’ll have a blast with the new camera.
On 28 February 2011 at 9:59 am Lynn said,
That was a good first photo, Jannie – I know you will enjoy that camera very much. What a great gift. Careful with that knife!
On 28 February 2011 at 10:38 am Dr. J said,
Ugh!! Forgive me for this, It’s the doctor in me. I’d like to take your knife and remove a few from several of the people in your race photo! What is happening to us?
PS You would be welcome to take pictures if you can handle it
On 28 February 2011 at 10:43 am Jannie said,
Why thank you, Lovely Sweet Caity. Just a first attempt. And there are SO many settings on thWhy thank you, Lovely Sweet Caity. Just a first attempt. And there are SO many settings on that camera — what do they all mean??? But you know what they say — learn by doing!!
I hope to one day make as lovely captures as you have shown us. You are especially excellent with skies and people. And Moko, of course.
Well, thanks Dear KB. In this post just the flower is with the new one, tho. The rest still the iPhone, the latter which I’m sure I won’t totally abandon. Now I’m thinking about a camera case. And a light foldable tripod for cheap. It’s always something, eh?
Dearest MoonDust, I suppose one day they will! But you know what, I’m so excited about taking nice pix I’d lug it around my neck 18 hours a day for you all, I really would!
Can’t wait until Jim gets my SD card today! I’ve been uploading, viewing, erasing / and / or keeping the pix, then erasing all and taking another 9. “patiense, my jannie, patiense…” 
Oh — I DID take a few of teh moon this a.m. but erased, need to adjust the setting. Hopefully it won’t be cloudy or rainy at 6:50 a.m. tomorrow for the recreation!! 
Oh, and my goodness!!!! You have a Baby Taylor, how wonderful!! I do not — I just have the bag, with my blue guitar in it. I am thinking of getting a 3/4 size classical, as suggested by the director of Kelly’s school. I did have a lovely 512 Taylor, tho, that went “missing” on a flight back from Canada in like, year 1999, or so. Yes, keeping the elbow — for sure!! And the rest of her. She can be so funny. Had NO sleep Saturday night, poor baby couldn’t’ get to sleep at the party. got a full 10 last night — but early to bed tonight!
at camera — what do they all mean??? But you know what they say — learn by doing!!
I hope to one day make as lovely captures as you have shown us. You are especially excellent with skies and people. And Moko, of course.
Well, thanks Dear KB. In this post just the flower is with the new one, tho. The rest still the iPhone, the latter which I’m sure I won’t totally abandon. Now I’m thinking about a camera case. And a light foldable tripod for cheap. It’s always something, eh?
Dearest MoonDust, I suppose one day they will! But you know what, I’m so excited about taking nice pix I’d lug it around my neck 18 hours a day for you all, I really would!
Can’t wait until Jim gets my SD card today! I’ve been uploading, viewing, erasing / and / or keeping the pix, then erasing all and taking another 9. “patiense, my jannie, patiense…” 
Oh — I DID take a few of teh moon this a.m. but erased, need to adjust the setting. Hopefully it won’t be cloudy or rainy at 6:50 a.m. tomorrow for the recreation!! 
Oh, and my goodness!!!! You have a Baby Taylor, how wonderful!! I do not — I just have the bag, with my blue guitar in it. I am thinking of getting a 3/4 size classical, as suggested by the director of Kelly’s school. I did have a lovely 512 Taylor, tho, that went “missing” on a flight back from Canada in like, year 1999, or so. Yes, keeping the elbow — for sure!! And the rest of her. She can be so funny. Had NO sleep Saturday night, poor baby couldn’t’ get to sleep at the party. got a full 10 last night — but early to bed tonight! Oh, and Moon — yes it WILL happen. It ALL will happen, according to our hearts’ desires.
Yep, Dear Snaggle! And I see the weeds are getting up pretty good now in the backyard. Poor backyard, used to be so cute, now needs a nice cleaning and tidying. Oh well, it’ll all get done. Yeah, aina’t I silly to have waited to long to open? I was actually hoping to have my roots done too, but I got the goop for that today.
And soem light pink Sally Hansen nail polish! Now to find my buffing stick thing. 
The camera batteries were dead empty when I opened too. Was supposed to charge from 14 to 16 hours, but only did for 13. Anyway — it’s open! Jim should be bringing home a card (or two?) tonight!! (AS BB just said to Moon… patiense… 
It’s 14 megapixels. Actually, I didnt’ download the software, I bypassed that, to give my Corel Paint presference, and just bring the pix in via the camera. maybe I should went with the Kodak drivers? I still have the option, if I want to.
Dear Secret Agent Femme, thanks, but I am hoping I can get right in and see the pollen on the pistils close.
We’ll see. Am I expecting the moon for $200.00?? : Actually, yes I AM — tomorrow about 7:50 a.m.!! Yes, lots of fun. I was thiking today how it will be nice to walk the streets of downtown to catch some shots. HOpefully I can get some new skyscrapers buing built juxtaposed against the older architecture. if it happens. We’ll see what I see!! 
Jannie’s new eyes!! 
Hey, Sweet Lynn! Thanks. It will be fun to get as much as I can out of the camera. I do intend on learning as much about the settings as I cand, the aperature, and ISO, and all that assorted stuff that at the moment seems like a new language. Yep, I’ll be careful wiht the knife!! I’m pretty good with knives so far in life. Knock wood.
Hey, Dr. J! Yes, it is sad to see very fat people because we know their health and happiness is at risk. All people in that pic ran / walked the last 1/4 mile, so maybe those parents got revitalized on the idea of moving their bodies!! It really is a great program! Do you know much about it? Started right here in Austin, (I think.) Well, in Texas, anyway. Now, Dr, I am not exactly sure what you meant in your last bit? Oh — I take pix of the operation?? I dunno — I went to see that Universe Within cadaver exhibit a few months ago and I admit I was way way queasy. But maybe on real live people it’d be a breeze for me!
xoxoxo
xoxooxxo
On 28 February 2011 at 10:47 am J.D. Meier said,
At first glance, I thought it was the scene of a crime … the poor box. Then, as your poem unfolded, I realized it was beauty in motion.
On 28 February 2011 at 11:23 am Alice Audrey said,
Judging from the first shot you took with it, I am definitely going to enjoy your new camera.
On 28 February 2011 at 12:47 pm Jannie said,
J.D. — as ever, a highlight of the heart to see you here. Thanks!!
Alice Audrey! And I took some more pix this a.m.!! Addicted…
xoxo
On 28 February 2011 at 10:38 pm Victoria said,
Love the detail in your poetry and photography.
On 1 March 2011 at 10:04 am Jannie said,
Oh, Dear Victoria, how sweet to see your lovely shining-ness back here. Thanks so much for popping by!
Well, thank you, on your words. Detail is a lovely thing. So much beauty in life.
xooxoxo
On 1 March 2011 at 2:51 pm Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. the dandelion is one whole lot sunnier and better than the other beautiful photos .. so I reckon one man did his ladybird good .. and one young offspring will benefit from perfect photos by her Mama .. no gloom – the camera will not allow ..
I know you’re enjoying .. I’m working backwards or forwards – not sure which .. cheerie bye for now .. to all .. BB et al & luvs to the fandambilly .. xoxox
On 1 March 2011 at 2:57 pm sheila said,
Thanks for visiting my zen blog today, that was sweet of you! Now…
Correct is thee…
Never,
but never,
take a knife up
a tree.
Thanks, I’m here all week. lol
On 1 March 2011 at 6:40 pm Aleza said,
That dandelion pic came out great. I wouldn’t ever guess it was looming outside a Taco Bell or a Del Taco (i.e. taco shop). Did you pick it and pull of the petals in “He loves me, he loves me not” style?
On 2 March 2011 at 5:45 pm Belinda said,
I enjoyed the excitement you captured here of what you’ll be taking pictures of. I definitely think Talon’s dandelion is a far better shot than any of the iPhone pics. Oh, the fun you’ll have wit hyour new toy. Can’t wait to see many more gorgeousness! xx
On 2 March 2011 at 8:55 pm Jannie said,
Hi. I am very very sleepy.
You 4 are all very sweet. Thanks for the comments, each word did I devour.
THANKS!
xoxo
It was a local little taco shop.
xooxxo