5700 remebered (pics)

I bought my first digital camera in 2004 (a CP-5700; I still have it and have since “upgraded” to a D70), my first home computer (an eMac that I still have), my first photo printer (an Epson 1280 that I still have) and Photoshop 7 (I have since upgraded to CS) all at the same time. This was prompted by an unexpected tax return and a yearning to get back into photography beyond the snapshot-take-film-to-drugstore level. I sure learned a lot with my 5700; not only the new digital world but a rekindling of my love for photography. So here is a trip down memory lane with a few of my 5700 images.

“Harsh Sun on Clam Beach” CP filter and shot into the sun


Remember how we would yearn for those good old days when we could get that shallow DOF with our film LSRs. Well, these two shots were photoshoped to mimic that effect. Sure did force me to learn selecting, masking, layering etc., etc. Those skills I continue to serve me well today.



Then, remember the joys of slow auto focus along with shutter lag. It forced me to prefocus and anticipate the action. Getting the three shots to make this composite was a challenge and involved much anticipation. Anticipating the shot has proved invaluable skill even with faster focusing and shutter response.

 

Aw shucks, Ma'am

Thank you Gail. I certainly have come a long way since that first totally intimidating time I opened an image in PS7. I now feel at least comfortable enough to get back to photography at a level where lighting, composition, making my camera do what I envision, etc. is the basis of what I do rather than the “program”. But, then again, just all-out playing in PS is a blast! Again, thank you for the kind words.

 

I can relate

You know Chris I can relate. I started off way back when with a Mamiya Sekor 35mm SLR and had a makeshift darkroom. I always lost (enjoyed) myself in the darkroom more than the actual picture taking. Just could never understand why my roommate insisted using my darkroom as his bathroom. Anyway, as time and life’s circumstances changed (e.g., getting a profession, the birth of my son, etc.), I kind of migrated to shooting color and getting into the snapshot mode. I still took some decent shots but I sure did miss the darkroom. This digital thing is just great…. I now have a color darkroom where I can leave the lights on and get “lost” again.