xmas holiday
Good Christmas trip so far. When I was a kid, we opened our presents under the tree on Xmas Eve and then got our presents from Santa on Xmas morning. In our adult years, we've kept up the tradition of opening gifts on Xmas Eve, leaving only the stockings for Xmas morning. This year, however, because my brother didn't get in town until the night of the 24th, we just pushed all the gift stuff to Christmas morning. For adults, it's fine, but for an 18-month-old, it was too much. We need some kind of break in the middle of gifts. Lyle was kinda overwhelmed.
But Lyle did fairly well--he got some gifts that he really loves (like a train set!) but the number of gifts wasn't totally out of control. Jeff got TWO Apple iTouches, one of which he's exchanging for a Garmin GPS, which my brother got and we've had a chance to play with this week. I have to admit, I did not think the iTouch sounded all that exciting until I saw Jeff's. It's pretty cool...it has wifi and the screen is pretty good. (Flash doesn't work on it, though...one more mark against all-flash websites!)
I got a Scott Kelby book about Lightroom, which is awesome. I need to learn this program. I also got another lens--a 28-75mm f/2.8. (Tamron, because the Nikon version is about $1500.) This lens has a reputation for being really good. However, I'm feeling like it might not be enough different (or any better) than my 24-85mm f/2.8-4 Nikon lens. I'll have to compare them closely once I'm home. If I exchange it, I'm not sure what I'll get instead. Maybe the 17-55mm f/2.8? (Tamron again, because, again, the Nikon version is something in the four digits.) Another prime? I'm not sure.
We've seen a few friends, and gone out once so far sans kid. Tomorrow night we'll go out again without him, for fondue with three of my girlfriends from high school. I'm doing one photo shoot while I'm out here--Monday afternoon, a 4-month-old. I've been torn between wanting to take advantage of having more kids to photograph (and thus asking to do shoots with friends' kids) and not wanting to be tied to a schedule while we're here. So I left it open--I figured anyone who asked, I'd do it, but I wouldn't approach anyone about it. My friends have some really cute kids, though, so I'm kinda regretting missing out on a chance to photograph some of them. Maybe I'll make another trip out here before next Christmas.
Ok, Lyle is ready for me to put him to bed, so I must sign off now.
But Lyle did fairly well--he got some gifts that he really loves (like a train set!) but the number of gifts wasn't totally out of control. Jeff got TWO Apple iTouches, one of which he's exchanging for a Garmin GPS, which my brother got and we've had a chance to play with this week. I have to admit, I did not think the iTouch sounded all that exciting until I saw Jeff's. It's pretty cool...it has wifi and the screen is pretty good. (Flash doesn't work on it, though...one more mark against all-flash websites!)
I got a Scott Kelby book about Lightroom, which is awesome. I need to learn this program. I also got another lens--a 28-75mm f/2.8. (Tamron, because the Nikon version is about $1500.) This lens has a reputation for being really good. However, I'm feeling like it might not be enough different (or any better) than my 24-85mm f/2.8-4 Nikon lens. I'll have to compare them closely once I'm home. If I exchange it, I'm not sure what I'll get instead. Maybe the 17-55mm f/2.8? (Tamron again, because, again, the Nikon version is something in the four digits.) Another prime? I'm not sure.
We've seen a few friends, and gone out once so far sans kid. Tomorrow night we'll go out again without him, for fondue with three of my girlfriends from high school. I'm doing one photo shoot while I'm out here--Monday afternoon, a 4-month-old. I've been torn between wanting to take advantage of having more kids to photograph (and thus asking to do shoots with friends' kids) and not wanting to be tied to a schedule while we're here. So I left it open--I figured anyone who asked, I'd do it, but I wouldn't approach anyone about it. My friends have some really cute kids, though, so I'm kinda regretting missing out on a chance to photograph some of them. Maybe I'll make another trip out here before next Christmas.
Ok, Lyle is ready for me to put him to bed, so I must sign off now.