the best camera

Sometimes I'm amazed at just how many ways there are to get at an image. How many different types of cameras, lenses, films, techniques and processes there are. It's endless. Considering choices can be as exhilarating (and overwhelming) as a trip to the art supply store. If you don't know what kind of art you want to make before you walk in that front door, you could spend hours and hours contemplating the possibilities. And perhaps leave a little more confused than when you first came in.

Like so many, my roots are in film photography. Then, somewhere along the way, I fell down a lovely digital hole. Then rediscovered 35mm film, dipped my toe into medium format before falling completely head over heels in love with instant photography. These days, my appetite for different cameras and processes is nearly insatiable. I want to know more, I want to try everything. Everything. I see a photograph I love, research the camera it was taken with and often fall down a rabbit hole so deep I have trouble finding my way out. It's like learning bits and pieces of a hundred different languages. I'm fluent in a few but have only picked up an occasional word or phrase here and there from others. I speak the languages I know with confidence but hold the new ones just under my tongue and savor the possibilities.

This means I am almost always traveling with a small army of cameras. Which is as challenging (and as comical) as you might think. Packing for a big trip means figuring out just how many cameras will fit in that carry-on suitcase. It means foregoing an extra pair of shoes (or okay, maybe clothes and shoes altogether). It's a commitment. But for me, choice is paramount and rarely have I regretted the packing of any extra camera or lens, any surplus packs or rolls of film. However, the whole scenario can also be a little crippling. Sometimes, when you have so many different tools at your fingertips, you fumble when it comes time to choose. The more I shoot, the more I realize just how important simplicity is, how choosing a particular camera is as much a part of the artistic process as composing an image. It's as essential as choosing the right words, the right language for what you want to say. Choose wisely, choose thoughtfully and accept the fact that you can't speak seven different languages at once.

I will probably always travel with a small ever-changing gaggle of cameras. But when it comes time to shoot, I'll choose just one and commit. Whether it's an unwieldy polaroid pack film camera, a DSLR with a monster lens or something that fits in the palm of the hand (hello, iphone), I'll choose just one and commit. Because while a world of choice is a lovely thing, everyone knows that the best camera is the one you have in your hands.

What cameras best speak your language? Is there a camera or technique that you're dying to try? Please do share your thoughts and images with us today.

Quick Snaps

Winter frost...  Oh my it's pretty. The photo possiblities are endless.

The other day I took the puppy dogs to the lake. I also took my Nikon. I was very excited to capture the pretty frost. Unfortunately I left the battery at home on the charger. Ugh. Thankfully I had my Olympus Pen in the car and I was able to snap away during our walk.

I just love this shot of Ben. The focus isn't great, his legs are cut off, but he looks so handsome with the frosty tress in the background. By the time the walk was over the frost had fallen. I'm so glad I had my Pen close by and I was able to capture it. How about you? Do you keep a small camera or maybe your camera phone close by to capture the beauty life offers up?

Share a quick snap with us today.

what girl are you?

We are all photographers together, yes?

....but we do divide into smaller group depending what we like to shoot and the gear we shoot with... Canon, Nikon, Polaroid, Pentax, Olympus, Rollei, iphone....the list goes on.... and that’s what makes us all so uniquely different.

While I was on the shutter sisters Camp, I noticed the conversations between the ladies “oh I’m a Canon person", "I've always have been Canon...” or “I’m a Nikon” (although pronounced different on either side of the pond!)... "Nikon is the best" and there were so many proud “Polaroid girls...” saying "My heart belongs to Polaroid"

I shared this with a dear friend of mine and it sparked into a new collaboration to celebrate what you shoot with. We have created prints and badges/buttons for you to be proud of who you are. I am a Canon girl..... and know some of you are Nikon girls and Polaroid girls...

As we're so excited about this new project, we’d love to offer one print of your choice to you lovely girls out there, all you've got to do is tell me what girl you are.....Canon, Nikon, or Polaroid or something else in the comments below.... You have until tomorrow Sat 21st Jan midnight PST.....

Updated - the winner was Stephanie of http://bigmariolife.blogspot.com/ - If you would like updates of further products, please follow us at facebook.

Choosing Happiness Right Now

If we can really truly find happiness in the very moment/space we are in, wow… that is good stuff.

I know it can be hard. I'm not saying it's easy. But I do think it's true.

I choose this photo to share today, because I took it just a few months after I discovered photography. I shot it with my nikon d40 and the 50mm 1.8 lens. If that means nothing to you, let me explain. The d40 is an entry level dslr. The 50mm 1.8 is a fabulous and really reasonably priced lens. At the time, buying that lens was a huge investment.... a giant leap of faith. We definitely could not afford it, but I wanted it with my whole heart. 

Because I was using it with the d40, it didn't auto focus and at the time I had no idea what I was doing. I was learning as I went. I simply knew the 50mm had a low aperture number which would allow lots of light to come in. And I felt completely blessed that I had it.

I shot the photo with my whole heart. I was so present in that moment....alive and in love with my new passion, photography. I can take myself right back to that day, that moment in time. I was sitting on our old staircase, it was mid afternoon, aiming at the lovely antique door knob, trying my best to get it in focus. I could see the picture I was trying to create in my mind... a Country Christmas photo.

Focus…..Click…. focus….click…… magic happened. 

It's one of my favourite photos ever. And, It's been licensed by many companies. Isn't that crazy?

Would the d700 or the 5d…. with the 50mm 1.4g have made this a better photo?
I don't think so.

As photographers, we are always thinking of the next thing… whether it's a fancier camera, a better lens, the newest software. I am so bad for this! I won't deny it. But, I know, if we can embrace and give thanks for whatever equipment we may have at this very moment, it can completely transform our art.

So my friend… wherever you are, and with whatever you are shooting…. whether it's a point and shoot, an iPhone, a less than dreamy dslr…. whatever it is… go forward into this beautiful season of joy…and shoot with gratitude…..
Maybe, just maybe, magic will happen. And perhaps all that happiness will open the doors to so much more.

Today, share with us a 'from the heart' photo. I just know you have some….. 

lensbaby love

Lensbaby kindly offered us at Camp Shutter Sisters a chance to play with the Lensbaby Composer Pro and one of my highlights of camp was hosting a walk down to the beach to experiment with these babies. I had been playing and learning the joys and difficulties of the Lensbaby Composer Pro before I arrived at camp, hoping to impart some knowledge or tips once we were there.

What I have discovered is that playing is the best way to approach this lens. It’s kinda like going back to basics, like when we first learnt how to use our cameras. You have to focus manually, find the “sweet spot”, maybe bend the lens to create some movement and find peace with the dreamy effect and what lands in your camera.

Some people get it right away, some get frustrated, some enjoy the challenge, some have patience to wait and discover something special and some do not. Sometimes working hard for an image makes it extra special. Thankfully many of the campers surrendered to the beauty of what was happening and some magic ensued.....

Beautiful fun moments, carefully crafted portraits, and breathtaking views of the surroundings.

Thank you Lensbaby for giving us the opportunity to play and create on camp.

We wanted to keep the Lensbaby love flowing, so please leave a comment today for a chance to win a Lensbaby Composer Pro of your very own, how exciting! You have until midnight Thursday night EST to leave a comment for your chance to win!

Congratulations to Kimberly Bowler for winning the Lensbaby and thanks to all of you for your comments!