resistance is futile

This is Simon's camera. He is very keen for me to learn how to use it. He has been suggesting I take photos with it for several years. But I am stubborn when it comes to mastering new equipment. I am quite sure I won't understand how to use it and will only get cross and irritated. Mostly with myself.

But I realise resistance is futile when I see the lovely photos Simon has taken with his camera. Even more galling is the fact that Alice gets amazing results from just picking it up and shooting - her portraits of Tom and Phoebe are wonderfully candid and natural. And to compound the situation, Phoebe has mastered the art of the stage-managed photoshoot using this camera. Only Tom doesn't use it, and that's because he's too busy setting up communication networks all over the house (and looking in the fridge).

So I have been shamed into having a go with the Nikon blah-de-blah. It's early days yet and I'm still getting used to viewfinders, lenses, tripods and aperture priorities. But so far we've all kept our tempers. And the results? Well, you will see in due course.

                               ***

You asked so nicely that I couldn't resist a couple of bloody blood orange photos complete with Gothic/Hammer House of Horror long shadows.

I can tell you, I wasn't that happy about walking around the house with my largest, sharpest knife. It felt like something out of Gosford Park which we watched again last night.

                                ***

And now I'm going to let myself feel awful. I generally tend to resist illness on the basis that it stops me doing what I want/need to do, especially when Simon-the-cameraman has disappeared off to Brussels for work. But today is a dead loss. I give in.

Comments

[Tracy WW]

Love the blood oranges photos! Sadly, by the time the blood oranges make it to my little corner of upstate New York, they're so old and dry (and expensive) that they're not worth buying. My lucky cousin, who lives in southern California, can just walk into her back garden and pluck as many blood oranges as she likes off her trees this time of year. What bliss!

[Milly]

Love the photos!
You'v also been awarded the "You Make My Day" award at www.stitchesandstories.com!

[Emily]

The oranges photos are stunning. Definitely worth the risk that the neighbors might see you wandering the house with the knife, and at a time when your husband is absent! ;-)

[Ali]

I hi-jacked hubby's Nikon too and started out by using it as an extremely expensive point and shoot. All the technical whizz bang stuff can come later.

The only thing is, they aren't quite as portable! Go on, dive in.

And I hope you ate a lot of those blood oranges to fight the lurgies.

[Georgia]

I love that movie and it's one I've been wanting to watch again...must track it down. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[stacy Tampa, FL]

I hope you feel better some. Try some blood oranges, maybe the vitamin C will help. I have just started using a Nikon D40X in the last month, it has been great fun. When you have time set up a shot and just play with your settings and you will be amazed at what you can do with the camera.

[Antonia]

I have one and they are brilliant! I am a real point and shoot girl with none of the know how that you do! So go for it...jump! Ps how bizarre you were talking of blood oranges and i was longing for one! Well I opened what shoulld have been a rather pathetic tesco value orange and to my great glee found it blood red! Amazing....took ohotos and everything!!!

[stacy Tampa, FL]

I hope you feel better soon. Try some blood oranges, maybe the vitamin C will help. My little five year old daughter is down with a cold right now and she is enjoying fresh picked blood oranges from her Uncle's yard. Seeing as I rather live in London, fresh citrus (and year round flip flops) are a true perk of Florida.

I have just started using a Nikon D40X in the last month, it has been great fun. When you have time set up a shot and just play with your settings and you will be amazed at what you can do with the camera.

[m]

gosh hope you feel better soon - enjoy a lie down

[RI]

Keep warm,feet up...
and get well soon {:>)

[Missy K]

Firstly, please feel better. Sometimes a full stop can help the illness not last as long as if you push ahead. So, sending wishes for rest and restoration across the ocean.

With the camera thing, you already have in spades what is hardest to teach: an artistic eye. The excellent equipment will only give you a broader range of tolls to use to express your vision.

[Missy K]

Gracious-- tools, not tolls. I need another cup of coffee!

[anna maria]

Feel better soon, lovely bloods :)
xoAM

[marné]

I've just started using a digital SLR, and it's just so much fun. I've started playing around bit, but it is a little intimidating. I've been also checking photography books out from the library, and I think this one is quite helpful: http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Book-Scott-Kelby/dp/032147404X/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1
The author doesn't go so much into the theory of everything, he just tells you how to do it. I figure the How is what I want to know now, the Why I can learn later. It's all about instant gratification :o)

[Laura]

We have a Nikon blah-de-blah as well. I love it--some of the time. The rest of the time, I use my point-and-shoot. A little of both is perfect.

[sandy maniscalco]

I love your blog. I, too, watch Gosford park over and over again. I love the class distinctions and the dress and the plot and everything. I especially love Maggie Smith. Have a great day. sandy

[Kathy Merrick]

Superb scary orange photos, Jane.
Oh and it's never a mistake to watch Clive Owen.

[SamLaTricoteuse]

Ah... I have the Nikon D80 - I had to part with my old 35mm Minolta which I had since I became pregnant with my daughter 15 yrs ago. This is a pretty amazing camera and I still haven't managed although I read the manual, to master it. They do have classes/ateliers in Canada - I guess you could find some in GB as well. When I went in Paris in September I used both this one (with a 18-55mm and a 70-300mm lenses) and had fun but I still carried my Coolpix S500 for fast pictures..

[Alice C]

You and me both!
Hope you feel better soon - take time to rest and don't rush back.

[Kylie]

Hope you feel better soon! Love the bloody knife photos. I'm sure you'll b wowing us with even better photos soon- and your photos are truly great to begin with!

[amy]

I watched Gosford Park last night too! And the D80 is amazing, I've had it for 2 months now and i am unable to put it down!

[Margaret Powling]

I have a Nikon D50 which I love although I've not mastered all that it is capable of! I'm just lazy!
Love the blood oranges pix!

[Kathe Kramer]

Thanks for the blood-orange-knife photos, makes me want them even more! Your pictures are so beautiful without the Nikon camera, besides, it looks very heavy.

[Luisa]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[vanillasky]

I have a Nikon D80 which I love.

Recommendation: put it on "P" and then you can fiddle with the ISO.

Also: Nikon D80 Field Guide - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-sup-Digital-Field-Guide/dp/0470120517/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1201633021&sr=8-1. Other guides available for other Nikons.