Wind on the Water: camera

Yesterday, I rewarded myself for hitting my sales goals last year by purchasing my first DSLR camera. It was so exciting to go into Pro Photo Supply and talk to the knowledgeable folks behind the counter about my two researched choices - and really good to get the cameras in my hands. I settled on the Canon 50D over the Canon Rebel T1i. I won't bore you all with the reasons why. The main thing is I have a camera that will allow me to take the pictures I want to take and I also have a lot to learn about that!

The learning started last night in the most surprising way! Scott was in town from Astoria to see Stella's game yesterday, and was about to head home, when my daycare provider offered to watch my kids for us to go out and have and have some time together. We headed out to O'Connor's right here in my Multnomah Village neighborhood and I brought my camera in and took no-flash pictures, trying to see what would happen in such low light. There were some surprisingly good results, but the real excitement started when a wedding party came in and activity swirled around us. This was a unique wedding party, as the bride was from Japan, and married a American of clearly Western descent. Scott and I were lucky enough to see and photograph some Japanese wedding traditions, which were quite a visual treat.

The bride, whose name was Chika, wore three different kimonos, all symbolizing different things, apparently. I didn't hear the whole story, but she did share a few pieces of the tradition with us. She was charming and warm, and I still can't believe our luck to get to see this on a night we figured we'd just have a drink, visit a little and go each to our own homes.

We also heard a wonderful band I've not heard in many years, Gypsy Jazz. They play standards in the style of Jango Reinhardt. I love this music! And to add a cherry to the top of all this, there was a couple dancing in a 40's style - and they were wonderful.

I have a few shots to share, which I was able to get before my camera battery died.

Lessons learned: Always bring your camera along. You never know what will happen. OH, and take a fully charged battery, and a spare along wherever you go, too!