Is it better to give or to receive, that is the question.
Occasionally, it feels good to treat yourself.
When what you give meets with a total lack of response, you give up on the giving and give to yourself.
At least I do.
So here’s my new toy, the Olympus stylus 1, a compact camera, horribly expensive to my reckoning, but a mere bagatelle to the photographers who publish photo blogs with fantastic pictures.
Now all I have to do is learn how to operate it. Even attaching the strap securely was several days’ effort. I need time.
On the day before the solstice, when I still believed that spring had sprung, I took my new toy out into Colstey Wood to snap away. It was one of those glorious afternoons we don’t get very often in these parts; an afternoon not to be wasted.
There is still plenty of mud around after the winter rains.
This puddle looks like it has a chalk covering over the brown clay bottom.
Millie and I started the climb to the top.
Colstey Wood is a plantation, with parts of it harvested
regularly every few years.
Once the tree fellers have gone, deep ruts are left behind by their heavy machinery.
But there are also small cuttings which have been left unforested. It is a very quiet.
lonely place, mainly used by dog walkers and ramblers.
By the time we reached the top of the hill
the sun was setting, and the ravens were calling to each other
‘Time to go Home'
Millie was happy to go, it was long past her dinner time.
PS: I don’t think these pictures are any better than pictures I have taken with my less expensive cameras up to now. There is plenty I have to learn.
Happy Day, Friko - I always enjoy when someone gets a new camera or a new lens. I've been doing a wee bit of research on mirrorless cameras, but then I remind myself that I already have plenty of cameras and lenses, plus I always have the phone camera handy. I like your rutty photo - it clearly shows the lay of the land and has a lot of depth. Good Luck playing with the new Olympus!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the walk in the woods regardless of which camera captured the shots! I've had my new camera for well over a year now Friko, and I'm still learning its features.... and, you must be having (fun) with yours, it was way past Millie's dinner time!
ReplyDeletei like those quiet lonely places honestly...
ReplyDeletethink the loggers should be require to put the earth back, personally...smiles
fun to take the camera out for a drive to see what you can see
Congrats on your new toy. That you managed the strap is impressive. I have been known to put those things on backwards three times before I get it right.
ReplyDeleteYour woods are lovely. Keep snapping away.. enjoyment grows with usage.
Congratulations on your new camera. I just got one too, and it was waaay more money than I wanted to spend. But such fun, although I have a lot to learn. I put my strap on, but it is still twisted.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a lot better with your new camera than I am with mine....the complications of the whole thing depress me rather than inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThey look great to me. I recently bought a new point and shoot but I think I might upgrade it to something like you have.
ReplyDeleteI am a point and shoot photographer - but in awe of other more skilled mortals. Good luck - and I love the treat you gave yourself - and will give to us. Again and again and again.
ReplyDeleteI think your pictures are wonderful, whatever camera you used. The eye of the artist is the most important part to me, and you've got that down pat. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think that the beauty of your photos have more to do with your artistic eye than the camera, but am so glad you treated yourself to this new toy. Your walk in the woods is beautiful and so inspiring -- and with such an excellent companion!
ReplyDeleteSavor your new toy at your pace! I see promise in those woods photos that raised my own Spring expectations most pleasantly. Again you toss off a wee gem that resonates SO with me:
ReplyDelete"Occasionally, it feels good to treat yourself.
When what you give meets with a total lack of response, you give up on the giving and give to yourself."
It is not to be posted by Friko. It is to be added to my personal trove of wisdom jewel quotes. And over your proper name, wise friend.
Warm ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3
Good for you. Something tells me you don't give to yourself often enough. I could be wrong, but that's what I suspect.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your new camera. I don't know enough to be able to tell you if these photos are better than the ones you used to take or not. I do know they're lovely, however.
I also know that the best camera I ever had was an Olympus. I still have it, and it would probably be just as good as it ever was if I could find film for it.
Hugs to you and Millie, and all best wishes to your Beloved and to Gardener.
K
I disagree, the pictures are better because you have been able to publish them in a much larger format and retain the clarity, I doubt you would have been able to do that before. They look great. For me a blog has to be visually pleasing. In this time of time constraints I tend to stop longer on blogs with lovely images rather than read. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words. Keep it big, they look great!
ReplyDeleteDi
X
But don't forget that your story is interesting!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. These fancy cameras are so hard to learn. I am forever beating myself up for not learning mine. I sometimes just give up on the thing and take photos with my phone instead. But, honestly, and I am being honest here, I do see more depth in these photos than I have seen in the photographs you have previously published. Maybe it isn't the camera, but I think it is. I also think that we see things differently through the view finder of a good camera. Things we might have missed before, we see in the view finder. You will have fun discovering the world anew with the camera. I know you will.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, your story is interesting. You can't help but tell a story. It might be with a pen, a computer, or a camera. But you are a storyteller, and you tell stories.
I love it when someone who knows how to use it gets a new camera, I know there are delights ahead for us both. Have fun learning its ways. I swear my memory is so bad I learn something new every time I use mine but I probably learnt it last month and forgot.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to walk in those woods.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely woodsy area!
ReplyDeleteI have three cameras and can't tell the difference in photos from any of them except when I've zoomed in.
The latest camera gets in quite close so I use that one the most, but the second camera fits neatly into my pocket, so is often used too.
A good camera. These images are fine. Try setting the camera to aperture priority and use f11 for landscapes and f2.8 for close ups of flowers.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with it.
So far, the pictures you have shown on your blog were always very good in my opinion. A good picture depends less on the camera than on the eye of the photographer and of course the subject.
ReplyDeleteThe spring afternoon walk in the woods sounds lovely! It must have been very quiet except for birdsong and the rustle of leaves when some small animal or other was doing what such animals do.
Congratulations on your new toy - only time and actually using it will count. Read the book, take the advice of anyone who will give it and shoot, shoot, shoot. Actually, I do like the photo with the ruts in the road - very good and also I like the water and mud photo. Keep up at it - you will progress as far and as well as you want to. Have a wonderful day :)
ReplyDeleteHi Friko - nothing like a new toy for the Spring and Summer weeks, when they decide to shine out again after this cold spell. Love seeing the woods though - and then all the greening is coming, as are the bluebells ... our horse-chestnuts seem to be way ahead ..
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your new fangled toy .. and I'll look forward to lots of interesting takes ... cheers Hilary
I think the detail in your photos is very good, as is the color. My poor camera has been dropped so many times that the focus mechanism is off -- it's nice to see a "full" photo with no blurs! I especially love the one of Millie in the open area. Congratulations -- yes, lots to learn. But I know you'll have fun learning it!
ReplyDeleteNew toys and a good walk will certainly do a person good. A new toy is like a new tool. You know what to do, but now it will be just a little better. It takes a little time to learn its ins and outs.
ReplyDeleteIn my years of "experience" more expensive cameras take 'slightly' better pictures. It all about lighting and focus and these do put me there with you. It does pay to learn the features of your camera and what the best distance for your lens is when you want to focus on something specific. I hope you grow to love photography as much as I because you live in such an iconic part of the world. By the way, it took me FOREVER to get the strap on. I think I got it wrong at least four or five times.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to have a new camera! I read about this one and it has very good reviews. It said it is designed “for discerning photographers.” There are different ways to take photos, automatically point and shoot, then what is called “raw” and supposed to be much better – I usually do just the automatic, will you use more advanced techniques? Your photos are always quite good but now with this new toy you may show us more of your lovely landscape.
ReplyDeleteI love getting a new toy like that - so much fun to head out with a new camera!
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to hurt your feelings, but I've seen better photos on your blog. Dianne
ReplyDeleteGiving oneself a gift can be so fulfilling. Your gift to yourself is one that the rest of us will profit by as we read your blog and look at your photos. Learning a new camera takes time. I've had mine for 2 years and I consult the manual regularly. Love the mud and water photo, and the thought of the quiet woods with sunlight filtering through the trees.
ReplyDeleteGood choise, Friko. Congrats! I'd love to buy one like yours, it's too expensive, but maybe one day...
ReplyDeleteLove your photos, unfortunately can't give any advice.
I think your photos are wonderful. So glad you decided to treat yourself!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo with Millie in the clearing! :-)
ReplyDeleteDear Friko, I have always responded to the photographs you add to your postings, especially the ones of your garden. As to cameras, I didn't have one for many years and then recently a friend gave me her old one that she was replacing. But I still haven't learned to use it. Technology just is such a challenge for me. Peace.
ReplyDeleteIt's all looking good to me!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful. I love that forest primeval (the stillness and solace of it). Thanks so much for sharing these, Friko.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having trouble with the focus, or camera motion. I would put it on auto to start. Let it do the work and then branch out as you become more confident. Be sure to use a good quality image setting. Maybe not the highest as it will give you images too large for the web, but a good mid-range setting. The lowest quality setting will get you just that. You live in such a beautiful place it won't be long before the photos are stunning, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteHello from out of the darkness. Love the pics, gorgeous perspective. The mystery of the woods speaks to me.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Ooo - a lovely new toy! I enjoyed these photos!
ReplyDeleteI can see the green returning, ever so subtly. Good luck with the camera. In no time at all you will be friends.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your new toy, the results are excellent ! Spring has moved in here too ! I love this season.
ReplyDeleteLove your new toy, and I sure do know what you mean about attaching the strap. Finally gave in to the recognition, for myself, that I needed a more compact point and shoot, rather than carrying all the bulk around to take the same three photos of the same three birds. Took me several tries to figure out the little wrist strap. Now my big worry is how not to lose the thing, as it's so small!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. Your photos are lovely, especially that first one of the trees. I'd love to wander through there.
ReplyDeleteYour new toy does look rather intimidating but you'll tame it very quickly and wonder how you ever did without it . And the colours are magnificent .
ReplyDeleteUsually, the camera phone is all one needs to capture that special moment. I'm satisfied that something comes out from my pointing and shooting. But then, I never quite have the tools when I need them.
ReplyDeleteNice, crisp detail and I'm sure you'll find new refinements when you've explored your new toy properly. I'll enjoy seeing the results of your learning process. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteLove your new toy!
It's so nice to have a dog to walk with us.
Thanks for your nice comment on my place. :)