Camera Envy

A few months ago I checked out a book from the library called something like "How to Take Pictures of Your Baby." Not because we're having a baby, because we're not. Don't ask again. But because I want to take better pictures of the kids. I want cute close-ups of goofy grins and twinkling eyes with the blurry backgrounds. I want to capture the moment they pop the bubbles and run through the sprinklers.

Of course the biggest advice in the book is to get a better camera. A digital SLR is what it was referred to as. The kind where you change lenses and do all sorts of focusing and changing things called aperture and ISO. And when I looked into it, it's kind of expensive. Like more expensive than my fancy Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and fabulous Dyson vacuum cleaner. I mean, if I'd had to pay for the mixer or the vacuum. Anyway, the camera body and lenses are expensive even on ebay or craigslist.

So I have tried to focus on the other parts of picture taking, like composition and framing and what not. But I keep glancing at craigslist.

When we went to Yosemite I was astounded at the number of SLRs. Yeah, some had point-and-shoots like us. But there were obviously serious photgraphing (yeah, I said photographing) going on there. Super zoom lenses, tripods and camera cases were everywhere.

Then it happened. Our camera broke! The lens wouldn't retract. We could review pictures but because it could no longer focus or zoom, no more pictures.

I know we can take it somewhere to get it fixed but this is obviously a sign! All of the research I've done will come to fruition in a fancy new camera! My children will look adorable no matter if I snap a picture of a tantrum or have bad lighting! Well, we'll see. Chris is asking around for suggestions on cameras and lenses and we'll compare notes. Then, new camera! Whee!