Did I mention yesterday that I LOVE my new camera? Well, I’m telling you again– I LOVE IT! In doing all the research I did over the last 6 or so months, all the reviews mentioned the WOW factor. And I just thought, yeah, yeah… but I am definitely seeing that WOW factor big time. Check out some pictures from today around here and at my mom’s house. Since I’m digging them so much, I tried to make them bigger so they are easier to see on the blog, but in doing that the right side got a little cut. You can click on any image to see the whole thing. By the way, Timmy’s not in a bad mood, just really tired and probably a little hungry too.

John had a St.Patrick’s party tonight for work. Dontcha think he looks like a commercial with his tux (in this house called a "tuxado" not tuxedo) and his new fancy car? Been trying to steal the car (like the ipod) but I haven’t gotten that fully yet. Yet. Oh, and here is a picture (brace yourselves, but it’s not nearly as ugly as it was before) of the scar now. Healing up. He looks better in the tux though. Can you tell the scar picture is with the 30d?

Oh, new Canon 5D- how much do I love you already??!! Can I please just say "WOW"!!! I am so impressed already. The color, the quality, the clarity. Unbelievable. And I thought the 30d rocked. (Don’t worry, 30d, I still love you too). I feel a whole new level of photography coming on. And one of the best parts…hardly any learning curve on the new 5D. It’s the same camera (controls and settings wise) for the most part as the 5D. Boy, this is gonna be FUN! All the pictures following are with the 5D with the exception of the picture OF the 5D. Don’t I look so happy??!! So glad I did it. Even though I’m more than broke again. And the trip to B&H brought on a whole NEW list of things I need. Including two new lenses at about $1200 a pop. Yeah, those are waiting…

I know I blew out some of the highlights on the sides of the big boys faces, but the sun kept going in and out and I wasn’t fast enough in changing the settings. Not the camera. Just me on that. Please continue to ignore my horrendous roots. That will be fixed on Saturday. John took the one of Patrick and I. I have pictures to post of him tommorrow. His scar is looking better.

Timmy has been into "projects" lately, so we have broken out the finger paints, the moon sand, the play dough, and the regular paint and let him go crazy. Not all at once (I’m crazy but I’m still a little OCD about the house, so only one messy thing at a time). I have three fingerpainting pictures to be framed and hung, with plenty more to come I’m sure.

Going into NYC tommorrow on a pilgrimage to B&H photo to purchase my Canon 5D. Woohoo!

Picked up yet another new toy the other day. Had been eyeing this one for a long while and with the big wedding I’m shooting this weekend, I figured now would be the perfect time to get it. It’s called a Lightsphere and it’s an external flash diffuser (really, it just makes a flash not flash-y looking). I played a little the other evening (thanks, Jack!) and it really, really makes a difference.

#1. no flash, tungsten white balance (preset)

#2. no flash, custom white balance

#3. flash, flash white balance (preset)

#4. flash w diffuser (but no dome), custom white balance.

#5. flash w diffuser and dome, custom white balance.

Need to work on the camera settings with the flash, but definitely have the general idea down. Love the light the diffuser throws. A good investment!

I also have a new custom white balance system coming in any day. Looking forward to that too. I am finding that now that I’ve been doing the custom white balance, the pictures are much better overall.

And finally, thinking about getting a new camera. I know, I’ve only had the current (new) one for like 6 months. But I’m pretty sure I’m going to upgrade to the Canon 5D (a real pro camera). Like this week. I feel a trip to B&H coming on…  {no really, I do have a legit reason for the upgrade. First, my current back up is not so great and the external flash dosen’t work on it. Second, I have two weddings, 8 communions and 2 parties that are all mandatory backup situations- I need two super cameras minumum for all those events. Not to mention the 15 or so shoots beyond those I have booked between now and the first week of June- that’s going to be a lot of pictures. And I can’t afford to have a shutter meltdown again.} So if I show up with a new camera later this week, you’ll be the first to know.

Oh, and a new guilty pleasure in life…High School Confidential!! Ok, this is like the ultimate after school special, but with real people! Looooove it! It’s on WE network if you’re interested. Ivy, please tell me you watched it- with our love of after school specials, it surpasses even the cheesiest one. And there’s a girl with an eating disorder coming up in future weeks!! (Ivy & I were afterschool special junkies growing up thru highschool and after- especially the eating disorder ones. It’s good to have friends who understand, appreciate and share your oddest addictions).