My Equipment - My Beloved 'Stuff"

My favorite comment from people is "ohhh I love your photos - what kind of camera do you use?" I have two thoughts on that question - first of all - "Thanks so much" because I love taking photos of beautiful things and watching other's enjoy them... Two - "I have been taking photos for years. YEARS. I have learned a lot over the years and still have a lot to learn. But you can take a great photo with a not so great camera if you know what you are doing - but you can also hand someone a really nice camera and have them turn out a lousy photo" - so while some of it may be that I have a nice camera, I LIKE to think it's because I have some inkling of knowing what I am doing!! (oh - and I am ALWAYS open to suggestions and learning more!)

I have been taking photos for many years - way back when it was a brownie camera with a little flash cube on top! Remember those? My dad was an avid photographer, he shared his love of the camera with me! He started with slr type cameras, and was fascinated when 'automatic' and 'instant' camera's became available. He must have had a zillion of each! I grew up on those cameras and then in college became interested in slr camera's myself. Sort of full circle if you will! My father passed away in 2006 at the ripe age of 91, and I inherited a trunk of 35mm slides of photos that he took all around the world. I am scanning them in a few at a time and enjoying seeing things through his eyes once more.

Anyways -With 3 kids and a busy schedule, I find that I have become more of an 'instant gratification' type of chick, you know? I want it now! So I LOVE the Digital SLR camera's that are available now! I started with the Canon Rebel D300 and moved to a 20D and then 30D. I had horrible back focus issues with the 20D but have had none with the 30D. My most recent (little over 1.5 yrs ago) acquisition was the Canon 5D and I am in LOVE.

Currently for Equipment, I use:

• Canon 5D - full frame sensor, 12.8 mp, w/battery grip
• Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS - heavy lense - but I love it!
• Canon 24-70 f2.8L
• Canon 30D
• Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8
• Canon 24-105 II USM F3.5- 5.6
• 550EXx

For 'other' Equipment:

• Lightsphere - it's this weird tupperware like contraption - it's a light diffuser and it works great although I look like I have a tupperware bowl on my light!
• Slik Tripod
• Hoya Lense Filters
• Alien Bees Lighting System
• Jill-e Camera bags - I have two - I don't know that I NEED two - but I LOVE her bags and I HAVE two!