EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Meet my new birthday present (9 days early, because Wes couldn't resist). This is my new Canon EOS 30D. YAY! I am squealing in delight. I was NOT expecting this. At all. Firstly, I am very used the the fact that Wes is not big on giving gifts on appropriate gift-giving days (especially big gifts). I am fine with that. It makes the days he does gift something extra special. So this was pretty big, completely unexpected, and very well received! I love the weight of it in my hands.

I haven't used an SLR manual camera for over 6 years. You heard right, manual. I am keeping that little dial on "M." No auto setting, no aperture priority. OK, auto focus, but that was because Wes said I am not cheating. He even uses auto focus a lot. I really want to try to use this camera to it's full potential (and because you can't be married to Wes and set a camera like this on auto...not really allowed). But I am resurrecting all of that undergrad photo course knowledge I have buried deep in the recesses of my now fully digital brain. Sure, it's a digital camera, but I am going to need to remember all of my shutter speed, aperture, and ISO knowledge. And I have the best resource possible! He's endlessly patient, too. I am going to go straight to the Canon digital learning center on their website HERE for some much-needed slash useful lessons. Check them out if you have a Canon. Wes, you're the man. My man. Want to pose for a portrait?

*****

So I think I have set myself up. I am in no way expecting to make amazingly great photographs. So please don't be too hard on me. ;)