Reub's journey

06 March 2014

Friday My Town Shoot-Out: mornings


My new camera, a mirrorless Sony. Photo and review from Phoblographer

Friday Shoot-Outs! I had just started Ed & Reub when I got my first camera, a Canon point-and-shoot. This was a few years ago, and to get to know the camera I participated every week in the FSO meme, which is great because it's just a dozen or so people who share their knowledge of photography and images of their towns. I like having the structure of a different theme each Friday; it's good to have some organization to my otherwise aimless wandering about and snapping photos.

Anyway. I got a new camera last week and it's time to jump back into FSO. This week's theme is lovely: mornings...how do you begin your day?

It's been raining all week, so I haven't wanted to take my new baby out without first getting the back-ordered case that Sony threw into the deal. Must protect the camera! So I stood on the deck and practiced the panorama mode that is so fun to do (just point and pan). This is the back yard where we first step out with the dogs every morning.



This photo was taken with my beloved point and shoot
Lucky dogs, to get a walk every morning and afternoon.



Plants are just emerging from  a tough winter. Beneath dogs' feet and hard rain it's a struggle; the first crocus didn't last a day. I was sad when I saw it on the ground a couple of days ago.




Every morning I've been checking the progress of all the plants. Oh man, the hyacinths look like this today, and they smell so good.



Here are some daffodils chatting with each other. Flighty little things, ignoring me the whole time.




Focus on the bud, not the leaves: this is now possible with the new camera.
Each morning I check on the rhododendron's progress, but she's playing her cards close to the chest, not risking any early, disastrous, busting-out moves.




And that's my morning walk in the back yard, limited by the falling rain. How did you start your day?

Photos taken in Corvallis, Oregon
To see other takes on this week's theme, visit Friday My Town Shoot-Out.

65 comments:

  1. I'm tempted to get a good mirrorless camera too, all because of the weight. Nowadays I tend to take photos with my handphone rather than the DSLR. Love the peaceful surrounding around your home!

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    1. Jama, it's sooo much easier to carry around than John's DSLR, and this isn't even the most compact choice.
      It's surprising how good the smart phone pics are these days, though.

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  2. ... I love how one of your dogs is looking back at you giving you that "will you put your camera down and walk please!" ... I know that look well myself ;)

    Looks like perfect timing for your new camera with spring waking up, enjoy your future walks and camera stops*!*

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    1. Yes, that's Reub saying just that! They are somewhat resigned to my dawdling however. :-)

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  3. This is a beautiful start into day, and one I only enjoy on the weekends. Your dogs are lovely, and I'm sure they have a great time jumping and walking around in the morning.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Mersad, I am a recent retiree and am still getting used to the idea that I have this kind of free time. You certainly take advantage of your time on weekends, coming back with such beautiful pictures as you always do.

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  4. I clicked on the link to you camera and saw the price. OMG! I will start saving for it, but it is going to be a while. I am sooooooooooo jealous and you need to go give your husband a couple more hugs for giving you such a generous gift.

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    1. I KNOW! I certainly took advantage of John's offer! I paid a bonus to get the high quality lens-which is fixed, not interchangeable- on this camera. I could have gotten a Sony Nex6, Fuji, or Olympus mirrorless for much less and been happy with the picture quality, but lusted after the many lenses available.

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  5. Wow, those are great photos. I really like the panorama one that was first. That tree is amazing!

    Also, because I live in Wisconsin where it is always winter, I'm jealous that you already have flowers growing. We've had snow 4 times this week. Bleah.

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    1. Brian, I'm actually from Wisconsin, and know what kind of winter you're having: yikes! But it's March, and surely it will thaw out soon.
      The oak in the back yard is humongous & I love it too.

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  6. Sony makes good cameras. I was very tempted to buy a mirrorless last summer, but since I have a decent camera, I didn't.

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    1. AV the reason I got a new camera was b/c my old Canon was finally beginning to wear out. The mirrorless cams are a great advance though,, and I know of people who are buying them even though they own perfectly good DSLRs. We all want things smaller, more portable, and we've become spoiled by smart phones. This cam also has wifi connectivity, so I could send images to a phone, tablet, or computer if I wanted.

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  7. you made me smile. :) great shots all the way through. love the pup stand-off and the chatting blooms. :)

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    1. twg, it's funny how I like the dog pic best and it was taken on my old, failing, pocket cam!

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  8. So, mirrorless so that it does not vibrate?? What fun!! I am loving your joy.

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    1. Mirrorless because it makes for a very compact camera. It is larger than my point and shoot, but still fits on the flat of my hand. It is much more fun to tote than John's Nikon D200. And takes great pics.

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  9. Great shots! I start my day same way, sitting quietly with coffee.

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    1. Ellen, I forgot the part about coffee. Duh. Wouldn't even have to worry about the rain either.

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  10. Congrats on the new toy!! Oh it's going to open up a whole new world to you. Enjoy. :)

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  11. Some of my spring flowers are bloomed too. Have fun with the new camera.

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    1. It's been a long winter everywhere, Ruth, but when the spring flowers want to begin blooming they are quite determined. Like over eager children waiting to announce the spring.

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  12. Wow, amazing photos. I really like the doggi-picture. And that tree is great!
    Thanks 4 sharing and vitisting |my photoblog.
    I wish you a happy evening and a weekend, Wieczora (◔‿◔)

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    1. I wonder how the heck you make those crazy little goggly eyes?

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  13. This post has given me absolute goosebumps. Fantastic use of depth of field, especially with the rhododendron. How lovely. I no longer have a fancy cam but you've inspired me to do some nature shots with my new Samsung Galaxy. My nature looks pretty different from yours! (Although the daffodils are the same.)

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    1. I'm still very much a novice at getting the depth of field I want, but the new camera is helping me to learn. I've see amazing photos taken with phones & I hear the Galaxy has a good camera on it. Go for it Stephanie!

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  14. 'Every morning I've been checking the progress of all the plants.'

    I love this so much I can't even begin to cram the feeling into these tiny, bumbling words.

    Absolutely exquisite (an overused word that *really* applies here) that you were able to focus on the bud and not the leaf in that one shot. Love to your doggies. Have a beautiful, mystical weekend, Kerry.

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    1. Suze I always love your comments. You are such a great reader. It must be your writing skills that make you so. Thanks!

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  15. Fine images, Kerry. You tempt me with this camera.. easier to take on walks. Hmm...

    I love the pic of the dogs. Were you lower down on a hill or did you scrunch down for that one?

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    1. Hilary, I'd planned on getting a DSLR with a couple of lenses. Then I saw the mirrorless cams and read about them, and when I went to the camera shop & handled them I was instantly in love. Didn't buy anything though, and juuuuuuust as I was walking out the clerk said "You know I think you should look at this one...." Its lens is fixed, so I was doubtful, but tried it anyway. It helped that the camera geeks there were all enamored of it. When I tried it, I realized it was a great choice for me. Macros? Yes! Zoom? 200mm. Low light? Awesome.

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    2. Oh right, the dogs. :-) I was BOTH downhill, and crouched!

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  16. I've been thinking of a Sony mirrorless for a couple years now (I think they've actually improved in that time). My DSLR is a Sony, and I like it, but it is heavy esp with the zoom lens. I've started using the iPhone camera a lot when I'm on the go. Will be interested to learn how you like it with continued use. I love the bud shot and the dogs (which I know isn't taken with the new camera, but is a great composition).

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    1. Barb, I nearly bought the Sony Nex-6. It is a terrific camera with interchangeable lenses and costs less than this one. In April Sony is releasing yet another line of mirrorless cams. They are aiming at people who want a high quality image, don't want to lug their DSLRs, and want something more than an iPhone. I imagine the Nex-6 will become more of a bargain in the upcoming weeks. Super cool camera.

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  17. I love the shot of the dogs. New cameras are great fun! Old one's are pretty fun too.

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    1. spirit, I plan to keep my old camera under my wing. I will not desert my old buddy, no. It takes the place of an iPhone, which I do not have.

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  18. Beautiful photos. I am always interested in a new camera and how it does ;)

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    1. Yes Rain, me too. Will I admit to its weaknesses after spending John's money on it? We'll see.

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  19. Super pics. I am quite seriously looking into a mirrorless camera. I travel a lot and need to keep the weight to a minimum. I particularly love the dog shot :)

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    1. I like the dog shot, too, Barb. When you take pics with a point and shoot you have to make up for image quality with framing the composition in a good way.

      The mirrorless cams are MUCH more compact than dslrs. Check them out.

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  20. Your view is definitely not boring, even if you were limited to the porch. These are beautiful photos and I love your new camera. My friend is a diehard Sony user. It's a great camera.

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    1. JarieLyn, I was hoping to get another Canon, but their mirrorless cameras are way behind & I did not consider them. The choice narrowed down to : 2 Sonys, An Olympus and a Fuji. I'm glad to hear good reports about Sony!

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  21. I love seeing the dogs. Your pictures are exquisite. And that camera, whoa ... it is monumental!

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    1. The dogs love seeing you, Reya. :-)
      The camera is probably over-engineered for a dabbler like me; I'm unlikely to use a number of the functions & had to google "NFC" to know what it even is. Crazy. But I love this camera & am glad to not have to fiddle with lenses.

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  22. I love it when someone who knows how to use it gets a new camera. I know you will make it sing in no time at all. Love that shot of the dogs, they certainly know how to appreciate a morning walk. I've recently retired, too. Isn't it great??

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    1. Well I still feel like a novice, but thank you! :-) And congratulations on your retirement, Pauline.

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  23. Congrats on the new camera. I picked the daffodils as my favorite as it gave me the warm fuzzy feeling for spring. Good morning spring.

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    1. Thanks Peggy. I love daffodils too, and I've been picking them to bring in the house. Yay for springtime!

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  24. Lovely. That panorama mode is way cool.

    I envy your flowers. Still a blanket of white here... Syrup soon, though.

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    1. The panorama is pretty neat. You have to hold the camera steady & go at just the right speed though, or the camera won't do its thing; it just gives you a disappointing message. Heh-obviously I've done both of those things wrong already; that's how I know about the disappointing message.
      It's definitely spring here in Oregon, but it's come late for us too.

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  25. Oh, beautiful! and spring, too!
    I can't wait for spring to get here, we still have snow on the ground...

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    1. Kentucky still has snow? That's nuts. It HAS to warm up soon.

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  26. New cameras are always exciting! What a great way to start the morning, rain and all!

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    1. Every morning when I wake up I'm thinking about my camera. Soon the silliness will stop!

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  27. I am not a dog person, went to my uncle's house, the neighbour's dog kept barking at me.

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    1. Ann, he's not barking, really. He knows you are a fun, hilarious person and he's, umm, laughing? Excited to see you!

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  28. My uncle loves that dog, he said he is protecting my uncle's property, even though he is his neighbour'a door. Next time, I will call him first.

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