After wanting a new camera for years, I finally went ahead and bought myself one. It’s a digital single lens reflex, which puts it in the prosumer category–lots of bells and whistles, almost infinitely adaptable to any shooting situation, interchangeable lenses–and I have almost no idea what I’m doing with it.
When I was babysitting the photographer the other day, we got to discussing photography in very general terms. (Anything technical would have gone way over my head.) I noticed that he was using a Nikon D300, and commented that I couldn’t wait for my D40 to arrive via UPS. He gave me a piece of advice: never go anywhere without the instruction manual. This is from a professional photographer whose camera and lenses are worth more than my car. If he doesn’t completely understand his camera, I don’t hold out much hope that I will, either.
That said, I took a few pictures with it this weekend. The pain in my foot and the weather kept me indoors, so I don’t have anything of much interest. The pic below is the only thing I’ve taken that I like so far. (Thumbnail links to larger version)
