For years, photography was my hobby; now that I have retired from my ‘regular job’, I am very pleased to be able to work for myself as a semi-professional landscape photographer. 

My first camera, back in 1966, was an Exa Exacta, with a Vivitar 135 mm telephoto lens. It was a very basic, inexpensive 35 mm camera, with only manual con-trols – no light meter, no autofocus, none of the accessories you find on today’s ‘basic’ cameras.  And it used film. Things have come a long way!  I now use a very intelligent Minolta Maxxum 7D digital SLR (Konica-Minolta was purchased by Sony early in 2006).  Although there seems to always be more to learn (and there is always another gadget that would really help with what I'm doing!).

Speaking of another gadget... During October, 2007, I upgraded my camera to one with more megapixels and a better lens selection. I tried several out, and finally decided on the Canon EOS 400D, otherwise known as the Rebel XTi. I miss some of the functionality the Minolta provided, but with Canon's higher quality lenses – the camera came with two lenses: the EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5 – 5.6 II and the EF 75 x 300mm 1:4-5.6 III – it has been a good experience so far.  Neither of those lenses are a ‘high-end’ lens, but I am, of course, saving my pennies for several of that have the red marker band.

Just recently I have finally purchased a Wacom Tablet. I chose the 9 x 12 as the unit that would work best for my work style. Making very accurate selections is a whole lot easier! Basically, anything involving detailed work is a whole lot easier. The tablet also opens up nearly endless possibiliities; you can find yourself going in new directions that you never would have found otherwise. Highly recommended!

More Newness! Check out my blog, PhotoNotes