Crash Course What?

I've been learning every nook and cranny, and every detail of maintenance on this camera the hard way since I picked it up on Saturday. I learned that my current lens cap didn't like to stay on. It fell off while I was in the Holy Trinity Cemetery in New Corn Hill. Someone will be going through there, visiting their loved one and see this black cap labeled 'minolta' on it on the ground somewhere. (I use Minolta lenses)

I've since replaced it. Found out that my XG-1's lens cap fits my standard lens. (My XG-1 is safely put away where nothing can scratch the lens at the moment.) 49mm and all that. I know what to look for when I need things for the lenses more than ever now.

This has been a crash course, nonetheless. I've been thrown into a cold pool and forced to learn learn how to swim.

This includes things like... oh... cleaning the CCD.

What?

I never knew about that until today. Some of my photos have had a little gray speck-dot on the upper center. I'm sure you can see it in a lot of them. For my vertical shots, depending on the way I turn the camera (I change depending on the photo), you may see it on the left or right.

I called Sony support to ask about it. They wanted me to send the camera in. I was kinda flustered by this, so I said I'd go to the Sony Style store in the Galleria.

But what has bothered me that it has always just looked like a little grain of dust. I knew it was /somewhere/ on the camera. And I even thought to look at the sensor. But I never looked at it so hard until now. And saw it. That pesky, little microscopic disaster-waiting-to-happen was chillin' right there, looking as happy as he could, wanting to hide from the florescent lights above me at work. Why? Because he knew that I had him. Finally.

I know better than to touch the sensor. As such, I didn't. I kinda looked at it a little pathetically. I have a lens cleaner/blower thing, and I wasn't about to put the fibers of the brush up against it.

...until I realized I could pull the brush off. Pulled off, I poked the blower in, and gave three big ol' puffs.

Once I looked in, that little speck of dust had decided to move on. Apparently, high winds were too much for him.

I turned off cleaning mode, and found myself with one of my hairs caught on the inside of the viewfinder.

I probably shouldn't repeat what I called my camera here, but I went on to getting rid of that too.

Now my camera is happy. I'm happy. And I'll probably take more photos again tonight.

Yay. :D

10/24/2007

Nothing fancy on today's photos.

Just a few things. A couple of shots of my school at night, as well.

I'm trying to make it a point to use my camera as often as possible to get better with my photography.

What? Changes?

I made it back in town safely on Sunday night. I had a blast on my trip and took a lot of photos.

But first thing's first. I've moved my gallery from Flickr to Picasa. This way, I'll stay entirely on Google's network. I've already made the necessary edits to my previous blog entries.

Second off- I'll never be content with my galleries. Just because it's posted, doesn't mean that that's all the photos I took. I took over 250 photos on my way home. I may update and add more eventually. I'll be sure to post here when I do, however.

Stories about my trip back? Let's see. I set out from Luling, Texas about 2 hours later than I intended, but that's okay. I travelled on, and made a random stop in Lockhart. I intended to continue on through until I saw the most awesome building off to the side.

And thus, I found the first location of my trip.

After being content with my photos, and my giddiness over this town making me think of Hill Valley, I hopped back into my car and continued on.

After getting donuts in Round Rock, I ended up in Georgetown to see several locations. I intended to see a Catholic church that was in the town, but was unsuccessful in trying to locate it.

Nevertheless, I spent time on the Southwestern campus, at FUMC Georgetown, and St. John's Methodist Church. Then I went on my way again.

I was dead set on seeing Theon, I'm sure you could imagine my surprise when I realized I passed it. I almost passed it again after I turned around, also.

And I couldn't find the remnants of Corn Hill, but I did locate the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Cemetery in New Corn Hill. That was something I couldn't miss. You could see the church when you were leaving Walburg. Speaking of Walburg, I forgot to mention the St. Peter Lutheran Church there.

My timing was so poor, though. I got to talk to some of the congregation there, and they were having the interior repainted, so it was closed off to everyone. They assured me that the church was /gorgeous/ on the inside, and told me that I'd have to come again the next time I'm in the area.

And I certainly will.

My trip towards Dallas continued on 1105, to which I nearly got lost and out of gas. But my friend Katie was a lot of help in playing navigator from almost 200 miles away. Cell phones are lovely.

Once I made it back to I-35, I came to realize that I didn't have the time to make it to my next destinations. Sadly, I chose to bypass them and Temple and drive straight back into Dallas.

...to which my friend John and I played with the slow exposure settings on our cameras, taking pictures with 8-30 second shutter times.

I was so exhausted, and I think I'm still recovering. But it was so worth it. :D

Day of Celebration

Today, as of 3pm, I became the proud owner of a Sony a100 digital camera. And I've already taken 500 photos on it. I spent several hours at a pair of historical landmarks near where I'm staying.

I will be driving back to Dallas from the Austin area tomorrow. I've planned to make a few stops on the way up, though. I want to take more photos. :D

Zedler Mill photo gallery

Humphrey's Cemetery photo gallery.

Both galleries have their historical markers included in the sets.

Introductions

--taken in Downtown Dallas with the vx8100.


Wow. Where to start on this?

I've been around on the 'net for awhile, so... this isn't the first time, nor the first blog, I've ever run. However, I'm separating this blog away from my usual 'online persona.' I'd rather this be something anyone can enjoy.

I'm an amateur photographer, however. Or a camera lover. Or collector. Or something.

I have two film SLR cameras, both are mostly 'pretty old,' and my first D-SLR is going to be obtained next weekend. I'm so excited. I also possess a Cybershot, and my camera phone.

I've chosen the name 'Kaycee' because my parents were going to call me that growing up, since my initials are "K C." It amuses me to no end that the name is tucked away like that.

I don't think you'll ever see me here. I'm a photographer. My place is, more often than not, behind the camera. ...though I don't mind my share of photos and photoshoots, but this isn't the place for them.

Anyhow, I want to introduce the real stars of this show. My cameras~ All but my cell phone camera will soon have names. I'll announce them here when it happens. :D

Camera #1 - My old baby I love to no end is my Sony Cybershot DSC-P92. 5.0 megapixel, big bulky, old, and takes great photos. It's just a point and click camera, but I've grown to being able to manipulate it in a way to come up with excellent results.

Camera #2 - I have an LG VX8100 cell phone with a 1.3 megapixel camera on it. It doesn't do the best quality, but this does some great shots for when I'm on the go.

Camera #3 - I came upon an old Minolta XG-1 with two lenses and a flash. I still need to get the hang of it, as it's a bit clunky and difficult to work with (I'm used to Nikons, actually- that's what I used through high school). But I should get some film into it someday and do more photography with it.

Camera #4 - Another Minolta! This one is a Maxxum 7000. This camera works like a dream, both with automatic and manual features. I tend to use this one more of the two SLRs.

Camera #5 (Coming Soon!) - I've decided upon a Sony a100 because my Maxxum's lenses will go over to it. I have both a macro and telephoto lens that I love to death and am not willing to part with so easily. We'll see how it turns out, eventually.

I may have some photos actually posted later tonight.