About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, June 03, 2012

U is for UNION JACK & UNDERSTANDING

 Before I begin this week's post on the theme of photography, I would like to honour Queen Elizabeth and her Diamond Anniversary on the throne of England.  As part of her Commonwealth, we Canadians are proud to have had a special part in the parade along the Thames.  "Canada One" was the only canoe in the 11 km long flotilla.  Click on the link to watch a brief video about its history.  Also, there was a dragon boat in the parade full of Canadian breast cancer survivors!  Here's to the Union Jack, the flag of our mother country!

One of the very first things one must do in the field of photography is learn how to use one's own camera.  It's essential to understand the parts of your camera and all the things it can do. First, you need to familiarize yourself with the camera you use.  I've graduated from a Samsung Digimax V700 to an Olympus SP-800UZ.  What's the difference, you may ask.  My newer camera has a lot more functions in it with regard to settings for aperture, ISO, zoom, image size, shadow adjust, compression, plus automatic, scene, magic, and beauty modes.  Within these modes are more functions!  My newer camera also has greater zoom capability and image stabilization.  The older camera has 7.1 megapixels while the newer one has 14 megapixels.

Do you understand the parts of the camera?  The "body" is the your camera's house.  It holds all the functions and settings.  The lens is the eye of the camera and the sensor is the digital equivalent of the old-fashioned film.  The flash card saves your images and the battery is just like any other electronic device that keeps your camera working. Your camera might come with a flash, but if not, you can always purchase an external one.

The group that I attend every week has decided that we are going to be just that - a group, a group of women who have a common interest and who have a desire to learn how to take good photos.  Anyone can join in at any time and those of us who may know a bit more about photography will help the beginners.  We'll also share ideas and get instruction on an as-we-need-to-know basis.  I think this makes it much more fun and inviting and forgoes the trepidation that comes with feeling like we don't understand a concept as well as someone else does. 

As you begin to understand your camera, its functions and how to use them all, you will begin to experiment with these functions and gain great joy in learning fascinating ways of photographing objects, people, or places.

Thanks to the ultimate in leaders, Denise Nesbitt, for creating this unbelievably fun meme! Her untiring and united team of assistants understand how useful it is to receive feedback on posts.  Therefore, we do our utmost to visit you all and give you our undivided attention along with some unparalleled commentary.  To join in, just click here!

29 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

You do help it to be more understandable.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Reader Wil said...

Very important advice, Leslie. I should try to learn all the parts of my camera!

Meryl said...

Your posts have utterly enlightened me on cameras and photography. Not sure I get all the camera parts yet, but a few more posts and reads should do it!

Have a great week.

Carver said...

Your posts are so informative. Good advise in your U post. Carver, ABC-Wed. Team

Hildred said...

Oh Leslie, I wish I understood better, but that's my own fault. I need some study time.

Anonymous said...

Fab U post. I didn't know they call the brit flag union jack.

Ann said...

Pretty cool your "Union Jack". I really need to study my camera more even though its's not a very fancy one.
Ann

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Brava! You did it again! "U" is a tough one to talk about in the context of photography (underexposed). And, yes, your Queen is very special. The world will not even begin to recognize her vision, strength and leadership until after she is gone. Married twice-once to her husband and once to her country-she still stands faithful to both.

ChrisJ said...

Still trying to learn all the differences, but I'm getting there. I'm really more into the art side of photography -- subject, color, light and shade, UNIQUE objects or scenes.

Penelope Postcards said...

This was perfect timing for highlighting the Union Jack. I have been watching some of the events in Britain and it is clear that we are united not only through our shared history but in our umbrella weather as well. :)

Chubskulit Rose said...

I am glad you are breaking this useful information into pieces, making us understand photography much easier.

Up and Down

Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Hazel said...

Watching the Union Jack at the Jubilee celebrations was fun this week. Learning fascinating things with photography is what keeps me tinkering cameras in my spare time. Thanks for the tutorial this week.

Unknown said...

i really appreciate what you are doing. you are helping us all amateur photographers...Thank you Leslie

Annie said...

I have a lot to learn about my camera. Really enjoying your series.

photowannabe said...

That is part of my problem. I really don't Understand how to Use all the functions of my camera.
Thanks for the Useful information you give Us every week.

Liz Hinds said...

I need to join your group!

Joy said...

One very large Maple Leaf flag spotted on the Thames. They had some stamina on a windy day. Go Canada:-)
I had a, I never knew I had one of those moments, the other day with my camera and I've had it a good many years. Familiarise is a good advice.

Black Jack's Carol said...

I am just getting to the point of understanding my camera, although there is still lots more to learn. I enjoy your posts about the art of photography and know your group will have a lot of fun together. I also watched the Canada One video and found it very interesting. I feel great respect and fondness for Queen Elizabeth.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

certainly a lot of Union Jack this week. In the past, people would say," Long live the queen."

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

came via Roger's blog re Unions. I am rejoicing. I was at a teachers' workshop when a teacher came in to tell the good news.

Today, in New Zealand the union won, govt zero, they were going to cut teachers, cut technical classes, up class sizes, Union got all the teachers, and parents to protest. The minister withdrew. Ya!!!!

Anne said...

I want to understand more about cameras, so appreciate your posts! I just have a little point and click Fuji, but it's 10 megapixels and has several functions and modes, so it takes quite good quality photos.

Lisa said...

I was wondering what you were going to do for U-day! Great choice. And congrats on being part of the Diamond Anniversary celebration. :-)

Powell River Books said...

I was enthralled with the flotilla for the Diamond Jubilee. What an amazing sight. I never knew that the Thames was such a tidal river. Add the rain and it must have been quite and experience to paddle all that way. - Margy

Anonymous said...

i want a pocket digital that takes the picture when you snap it, so you don't miss the action!!

Linnea said...

I love the Union Jack; it's definitely so easy to recognize the world over! Thanks for stopping by at my ABC post.

Anonymous said...

Your union jack is the wrong way!

Anonymous said...

The flag is upside down which is a sign of distress!

Anonymous said...

Union Jack is wrong way! I hate that

Unknown said...

No the Union Flag is not the wrong way... it's just drawn so badly wrong that it is not possible to put it the correct way whatever you do to it! Very common error this year, even in UK supermarkets, in everyones enthusiasm to celebrate. The big question is... on a casual occasion does it really matter?