I’ve been a little distracted lately….I bought a new Nikon J1 camera and there’s a huge learning curve to get easy, clear photos. For me, it’s hugely expensive but I’ve been wanting to do some posts with crisp detailed photos of some of our amazing shells. I’ve also gotten requests to show photos of how we display our shells in our home. I’ve just never liked how my photos in my house turn out so I “shelled” out a few bucks for the J1 that has a regular lens and also a zoom lens. I’m so nervous to buy a new expensive camera since I’m so …ummmm…. “un-dainty”….especially on the beach. The jury isn’t out whether I’m going to keep it or not so I can’t take it to the beach yet so these are the best ones for practice. Our kitty Dustie wanted to be a model!
Awwww. Of course Smittie wanted to pose too…
A little over an hour ago, I saw one of the SCREECH OWLS peeking out from a hole in our palm tree next to our porch. They just made this their home a few months ago. So cute! I grabbed my new camera and changed the lens to the zoom lens. My first practice shot outside! I could never capture him with my Panasonic DMC-ZS6 because he would fly away or duck back inside the tree so I can’t compare the photos yet. Wow, I’m happy with this shot! Can you believe we get to see this guy and his girlfriend most evenings on our porch?
I’m also getting close to cracking the case of the aqua concrete blocks that have been uncovered at the Lighthouse Beach that I showed you on my last post. Those are pieces of a cottage that was torn down over 40 years ago. I’ll have details on my next post! (this next photo taken with my old camera)
PS- I’ll let you know what happens with the J1 but right now, if I can’t get more than five photos to turn out in two days, it’s going back to Costco.
Ummmmm….very cool…all of it.
LOVELY! I can’t WAIT for the day I can get a DSLR! These are beautiful, and so are the shells and your kitties! ♥ Have fun with your new camera!
Shelling out- hehe- good one, Pam :D Hold on to the Nikon for the next month and take pictures of everything- shells, kitties, sock drawers- everything. I bet by the end of the month you will love it!
Can’t wait to hear about the aqua concrete blocks…
Love the pictures. Like I said on your site, I have not utilized my Nikon D5000 to its fullest yet. Just use the auto most of the time. These are great. The picture at the lighthouse is interesting. I was there about 3 weeks ago, and that stuff was not there. The big concrete blocks were, Is that close to where those are? Love your blog, like I said, I used your shelling tips and that is what I used to go the the different beaches to shell. I had a hard time finding blind pass, thought it was Bowmans beach (due to Blind Pass Condos) and my manager and the Shalimar told me where it was. Was not real impressed with Bowmans, as far as shelling, but it was pretty. Can’t wait till I can come back. Will keep following your blog till then! Good luck with the camera. I found it difficult to manauver shelling with my bigger camera. If you figure that out, let me know!
Don’t give up on this camera! These are amazing photos!
Pam….If you are having issues with close up photos, you may need to purchase a close up lens or filter…I have a canon, and had issues with close and really close up….bought a set of ‘screw on’ close up filter/lenses…made all the difference in the world!! The pictures we have been seeing are awesome!!
As much as I obviously love shells, I think I love Dustie and Smittie more!
Wow! Congratulations on your new toy, fellow sheller/photogaholic! :-) You can never have too many cameras or shells.
I would never have the courage to buy an expensive camera. I’d never figure out how to use it for one thing. Kudos to you for trying. But Pam – I have always thought your photos were amazing!!! Always!
Those turquoise blocks were very pretty whatever they are.
Good luck with the new camera :)
Oh… I love those “puffy” sand dollars – were they found there?
Good to see a picture of Smittie and his new friend, Dustie. Looks like your new camera is taking good pictures.
Your new photos are great. I think your new camera is a keeper. When I enlarge your pictures on my iPad they stay in focus. You old photos were always wonderful, but when enlarged they became blurry. I really enjoy your pictures of Sanibel when I can not be there in person..
Wow! Great pictures of your beautiful kitties. Say hello to them from me! And what a great image of the screech owl! You are so lucky to have them on your property!
Love the Screech Owl. I use two Sony cameras. I always keep them on auto and get great photos. I may get an SLR again sometime but I like the bridge cameras with a 15 to 20x zoom. They take great close-up and distance shots. I cannot be bothered with switching lens, especially on the beach. Sand blows in the threads and mars the lens. I always crop my bird and butterfly photos severely and they stay crisp. Good luck. I have always been impressed with your photos.
Ahem, Marilyn! Why did you drop the “M.E.”? heehee
I must say I am so envious of your owl picture, and to have them on your property is beyond belief. I have never been able to get a decent photo of an owl in the wild; they fly off if I even look there way.
the aqua chunk…..could it be from ATLANTIS?!?!?!??!
Yes, I love it! That would explain why the siren call to the island!
Great pix. We know how you feel. We recently got a new Sony G Cybershot with 32G memory, zoom, macro, video and a slew of special functions. It even records GPS coordinates of the pictures we shoot. That way we can show exactly where we found those special shelling treasures! We’ll look forward to all your great pix to come.
John & Kathie, Southlake, TX
Pam,
Love!!!
1) the shots with the new camera – great clarity!
2) Your beautiful kitties
3) the screech owl!
4) vedy interesting that the concrete came from an old cottage! I’ve always been afraid of stubbing something as I navigate around those chunks at high tide.
Where did you find the inflated sea biscuits? Sweet!
Robyn and Roxanne, We lived in Miami for a number of years so we often boated to the upper keys. The sea biscuits were so easy to see in shallow water since they those shapes of white circles looked like bright white spotlights leading us to them. Thrilling to see them.
Pam,
As much as I am a sheller, I am an avid birder! You are so lucky you get to see that owl daily!!! Keep those shots coming!!
Have fun,
Mary Ann
Thank you all for all of the info, input and help with this new camera! I’m going to play for a little longer with this one and then I might take some of your suggestions on the ones y’all like.
Pam ,
I think your pictures have been awesome. It’s not easy to balance shells in one hand and a camera in the other and get a clear picture with sand and salt spray blowing on the lens as well! You must have to clean that thing all the time! I’m not brave enough to even bring my camera to the beach, so all the pictures that you take are much appreciated!! I know you have lots of advice already, but for me, the Canon brand of point and shoots in general seems a bit more intuitive than Nikon cameras (shorter learning curve and more logical placing of controls), but on the other hand, the Nikon photos seems a just little sharper if you compare the two. It depends on the look you’re after. Good luck!
That should read *seems just a little sharper*. Sorry.
KITTIEZ!!! Love your kittiez!!!! And your seashells!!! But especially your kittiez!!!!! My girl kitty looks just like Dusty only she is black and brown and cream striped and her belly has spots of charcoal gray on it. Cute coincidence. And Smittie is in such an adorable pose. Maybe he’s related to my Tiger boy?