Big things are afoot at the Barking Mad Asylum, with one inmate in particular. We've kept this pretty hush-hush for several reasons which I can go into, I hope, tomorrow once it's all said and done. If you are family (um, hello Mommily) and know of which I speak, please don't mention it in the comments. What I will say though is that tomorrow is an extremely momentous day for one inmate here at the asylum and whilst I have so many mixed feelings about this, I can't wait to share the news.
If all that didn't already have me befuddled enough, I'm sitting on the fence trying to decide about switching from my Sony DSLR to a Canon camera. I have been on the fence about this for more than a year now and at one point was even caught flirting with Nikon. I know this is pretty boring stuff to you, but I'm at a point with my photography where it's "Shit or get off the pot." Pardon the offensive nature of that last sentence but it's completely apropos for where I am right now. I'm not getting the kind of results I want from the Sony and I need to make a move. I have considered moving up to their a900 but for what the body alone costs, I could get a comparable Canon with the lenses as well. Don't get me wrong...I have loved being able to take some wonderful shots with Sony's first venture into the Prosumer DSLR line (which, technically speaking, was Minolta/Konika, as Sony bought them), but I want more speed, better quality and a higher level of support than I'm currently getting from Sony.
The thing about my photography? I'm just not sure I'm good enough to warrant getting another camera. Add to that, I don't Photoshop the hell out of everything. I want what comes out of my camera to be genuine and beautiful. I don't believe in embellishing photographs. I know there's potential for a huge debate that could lead to argument in that sentence, but that is my opinion. I do believe in cleaning images up, but if the sky in the photo you took was not as cerulean blue as you want it/think it should be, I feel there's an element of dishonesty in Photoshopping it to appear as blue as you imagined it was. Again, that's just my opinion.
I'm at odds with this entire camera thing because I don't want to buy a new camera hoping that the problem with my photos is the camera itself and not the person behind it. You can't buy talent...ya know?
Having said all that; I do love photography. I love the sense of pride I get from uploading something I captured and having it come up as brightly and vividly as I remembered seeing it. I've been flattered to have photos from my Portland Headlight series be displayed at a local gallery - talk about a huge ego boost! I love capturing the expressions of the Little Imp or Megawatt and her friends. Live moments from life, forever held in time. Unlike writing, which I don't have to work at and which is something that has been effortless almost my entire life, I do have to work at taking pictures. I have to know my camera and the settings and then deal with all of those variables. Every once in a while, the little knowledge of those things that I do possess, will come into play and the stars align and I get a shot I'm absolutely in love with.
So what do I do next, amidst all the confusion over whether or not I actually have any talent behind the lens? I slam you all with more photographs from Memorial Day out at Pemequid Beach.
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day and I'm grateful that despite a lack of talent behind the lens, for the gorgeous subjects I was blessed with, in front of it.
Notwithstanding how annoyed these two luvlies get with me being forever attached to my camera, you have to admit, they make perfect subjects...even when they aren't very cooperative!
Of course, every once in a blue moon I can get them both to look my direction and smile!
We dragged Zach B., with us out there and I got him to smile for a few shots as well...
Well OK, maybe I should have made the above "smiles", singular!
Leave it to Megawatt and Zach to horse around. I am never at a loss for things to shoot, with Megawatt and her friends in lens range...
Rock dancing? Um, yeah...leave it to Megawatt!
It was, after all, Memorial Day...
Oops!

In addition to the wildlife of the teenage variety, I was able to catch some of the "pesky and irritating" assortment as well! Of course, the hubby, who this mosquito happened to land upon, was not thrilled with me wanting him to stand absolutely still so I could get a shot of the ugly little bastard!
The hubby would have preferred I stick to capturing this kind of wildlife...
...or even this kind, on the half-shell!
Yuck! Sorry, but I don't like clams, dead or alive.
Of course, my favourite kind of wildlife is the home-grown kind! Running wild, hair flying everywhere, and smiling from ear to ear!