Best Digital SLR Cameras...

A few days ago I posted that i bought a new digital camera, the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Lo and behold, today on the MSN homepage was a link to an MSN Tech & Gadgets page with PC World's review on the best digital cameras on the market today. Guess which camera was #1? Yup, the one that I just bought...which makes me that much more excited to start photography classes with a kick-ass camera.

A Little Place Called Bistrot Zinc

I had a late lunch today at Bistro Zinc on State St, just a short walk from my apartment. It's one of those places that I've always walked by and thought, "that would be a cute place to eat," but never actually go in. I wasn't actually dressed to the nines, opting for comfy shorts and my Buffalo t-shirt, but I'm glad that I wore it because the woman that greeted me (the owner, actually) asked if I was really from Buffalo because it turns out that she's from there as well! So we had a nice chat about the city, and seated me at one tables in the front of the restaurant looking out on the street.

I brought my new camera along to start reading the manual and give it a test drive over a glass of wine and goat cheese salad. I thought that i'd be all "artsy" and take a few shots of my wine glass when the couple sitting in the next table inquired about my camera. Apparently they have an old 35mm camera with many expensive lens, and wanted to know if I knew if they could use those lens on a new digital camera. No clue, but I gave off the impression that I KNEW what I was doing with my camera...hehe!

AND...as ironic as that was, as I was leaving a gentleman at the bar asked me the exact same question. Said that he saw me reading/playing with my camera and thought that I might know. So, if you look/act the part, you could be mistaken for an expert! ;-)

Anyhoo...it was a great day, and found a very adorable, chic little restaurant that I'll probably frequent more often.

Here's one of my artsy shots! ;-)

Melissa Takes a New Hobby...

I've always admired that my friend Jeremi went to Italy on a photog tour thru Tuscany with National Geographic, and photography has always been an interest of mine, yet never pursued. So, as I enter into the last half of 2008, I finally purchased a sweet digital camera thanks to Microsoft Reward Points (2 $ for every 1 pt! whoohoo!). I am now the owner of a Canon EOS Digital (SLR) Rebel XSi. This time I'm actually going to read the instructions and really master the use of this camera. Chicago is a great architectural city, and, not knowing how long I'm going to be here, thought that this would be a great to a) take up a hobby, b) learn a craft, c) take great shots of the city, d) embark on my own photography tour next year. Plus, I've never really sunk my teeth into learning something new, so why not now? I've got plenty of time on my hands, and it will keep me occupied - and I'll take lots of great pics of Winnie! haha ;-)

In addition to buying the camera, I've also signed up for an all-day Digital Photography Boot Camp at the Chicago Photography Center before committing to a full photography course. The class is a "crash course" in using an SLR digital camera, as I'll be submersed in a few lectures and short shooting assignments that will help me to learn the basics of the camera and dip my toes in how to take stellar shots. I'm looking forward to it, and hope to post a few pics on the blog that are worthy of sharing!

Where Oh Where Have I Been?

Hi Everyone - sorry for being MIA...been a crazy couple of months since I've returned from St. John. Lots of balls in the air with travel, work, personal, etc - you name! So I make this vow to be more dilligent in posting the happenings in my life, and sharing my ups and downs!

xoxo,
Melissa