Sunday, April 01, 2007

Test Drive 1--Low Light

Hokay. I gave the new camera a test drive this afternoon. A walk down Grove to the CVS pharmacy and then a taxi to Mom's place. My first discovery: I wasn't Seeing as many pictures as I usually do. Too busy attending to the camera, its many buttons and new positions for old, familiar functions.

The pictures here were taken in Mom's little one-room apartment at the assisted living center. Basically a test of a comparatively low lighting situation. The room faces north and no lamp was turned on. I cropped in on the dog sculpt (above); it's a hand-me-down from my great aunt Bird. Obviously, those are bird dogs.

This is an old, fading hand-tinted photo blow-up of my Phoenix grandparents shortly after they were married. In Dakota, on their 40-acre homestead. A second look will reveal that it was shot as a gag. The shack (a structure was a requirement for homesteading) was obviously too small for any kitchen doings; they also had a house in town.

Assorted drawings and greetings from great-grandchillens and a great-niece, adorning the fridge. In the hallway, away from the window light.

But this picture is the real test. The plate and cup were in the window and totally dark in contrast with the bright outside; the closer I focused in on them, the better the color and detail. I don't think I could have done this with my trusty little Sony, certainly not on automatic. The roos, by the way, are from my Aussie bro.

And here's the lady who wants to see me enjoying some of my inheritance while she is still living. Thanks, Mom, for my new toys. BTW, would you believe that Mom's 104?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wait a minnit, wait a minnit--isn't Grandma 103?

Good pics, nice results, glad to see you're learning the ropes of the new machine.

Anonymous said...

Wait a minnit, wait a minnit--isn't Grandma 103?

Good pics, nice results, glad to see you're learning the ropes of the new machine.

Anonymous said...

As for how I got two copies of the comment, I haven't the vaguest idea.

Granny J said...

Oops! You're so right!!! I keep having to tell Mom her current age (she currently thinks she's 102) & that she's going on 104.

So, it occurs to me that the new machine has much better metering. Now that I think about it, I was always having to manually adjust the Sony to accommodate the AZ sun and the deep shadow.

Anonymous said...

Mom looks pretty good there. No doubt strangers would assume that I was her husband if we were seen together at the mall--as has been the case in the past when she was a mere 100.

Hermano

Granny J said...

I have that problem too, bro. People think I'm her sister. Her older sister. Until we start walking!

Anonymous said...

Super pictures and you mom looks super also.

Avus said...

103? Gee - she sure looks great on it - whatever it is she is having I want some too! (She reminds me a lot of my old Grandma)
Love the photo of your grandparents, very atmospheric (even if it was a joke)

Granny J said...

Mom almost always looks good. I will start worrying about her, really worrying when she stops wearing earrings to match her outfit! Her secret? Clean living, right thinking -- and a very good set of genes (her father, an outspoken, opinionated elder if there ever was one, didn't see a doctor until his final days -- he died at 96.

Liz Lewis said...

Glad to see that you've got the new camera up and running. What do you thing about it? I've been researching this camera for last couple of months and it sounds pretty good. What's it like carrying around - light enough for travel without stress???

Am hoping to get mine next week...

Cheers, Liz

Granny J said...

Liz-- Once I get all the assorted buttons figured out, I'll be better able to discuss the S3IS. I'll be posting my first test shots for the optical zoom tonight. I'm pretty pleased. The glass isn't as good as I'd expect from a pricy SLR, but the thought of carrying all that weight is a complete turn-off for me. The weight is about right for simply carrying around. The image stabilization is a real winner by the way. I got shots that I didn't realize I had!

Silver Wolfe said...

What a blessing! Your Mom looks very well and happy... I hope to be as healthy as she as I approach those years!
Silver Wolfe

Granny J said...

My mom is a wonder, she is. Her memory, her vision and her hearing are all fading, but she's still in better shape than many of her current acquaintances who are as much as a generation younger than she. I'm very fortunate.

 
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