Earlier this week I decided that things just could not get worse. Yes, there are a lot of horrible things happening in my life in addition to the drama that has been shadowing me for the past few months. And no, I am not exaggerating.

But as they say, the only way to go from here is up. I won’t go into details other than that things are finally starting to get better.

After getting our mortgage, hospital bills, and other financial responsibilities situated, I pulled in some extra work and decided to treat myself to some retail therapy.

I had wanted a DSLR for quite some time now and had my sights set on the Nikon D90 since it was first announced last year. However, when Canon released the latest addition to its popular EOS Rebel line, I decided to reconsider.

Each camera has its pros and cons (you can read extensive reviews on both at Digital Photography Review) and neither seemed to be glaringly better than the other. In the end, it came down to personal preference…and once I tested each camera in person, I found myself leaning towards the Canon.

Announcing my new baby: the Canon EOS 500D / Digital Rebel T1i!

I haven’t been able to play with it yet because the battery is still charging! (Isn’t that the most annoying part of every battery-operated technology purchase?) But I’m undoubtedly über-excited, and can’t wait to get started!

I have some photography experience from a class I took eons ago. Fortunately, J grew up with advanced SLRs (courtesy of his father) and has volunteered to answer any questions I may have.

We decided not to purchase any accessories yet (save for a memory card) so that we can do additional research and look up the best prices online first. At the moment, these two accessories look like great starting-off companions to the camera:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens

Canon Speedlite 270EX Flash

Now, I have a question for you, my readers:

What accessories you would recommend to a first-time DSLR owner?

My hands are a mystery.

Slap a paintbrush, pen, pencil, or charcoal stick in my hand and it moves with the precision of a surgeon.

Place a camera there and it shakes like a crack addict’s.

It is precisely for this reason that I love and hail the invention of optical image stabilization (digital is usually “fake” or “forced” stabilization because it only raises the ISO) in digital cameras.

But for those times when even technology fails me, I yearn for a tripod.

The Bottle Cap Tripod is exactly how Better Living Through Design describes it: “This is exactly the kind of thing you don’t think you’ll need until you do.”

Although I wonder how it handles larger/heavier cameras, you have to admit that it’s an ingenious design.

The best part? It’s only $10 at Charles & Marie.

We received the digital proofs from our wedding photographer, Danny Weiss, a few weeks ago. Since then I’ve been honing my Photoshop techniques on these gorgeous photos. A bit of desaturation here, some level adjustments there, and voila! Good post-processing can really help add emotion to a photo, or change the look and feel altogether.

J doesn’t understand why I do this. “I like ‘em au naturelle, baby!” he says.

What do you think? Do you like these photos before or after Photoshop?

Photo A, Before:

J looks exactly like his mother!

Photo A, After:

Photo B, Before:

Me sneaking up on J before he sees me for the first time

Photo B, After:

Photo C, Before:

When J saw this picture, he asked why I never look this happy with him. “Well, here’s photographic proof I do,” I replied.

Photo C, After:

I don’t think Photoshop is a necessary tool, because so many photos are already beautiful without it. In addition, I certainly wouldn’t be retouching all the pictures (Photoshop 1,400 pictures? Sha, and monkeys might fly out of my butt!)…however, I must admit that it’s fun and can be a bit addicting.

If you are a new reader, welcome! Just in case you feel like stalking me, you can see more pictures from the wedding here.

Yeondoo Jung, a Korean photographer, has a fantastic photo series called Wonderland (2005) where she translates children’s drawings to real-life recreations. I love it!

키다리 꽃
Giant Flowers
c-print
2004

가수가 되고 싶어요.
I Want to Be a Singer.
c-print
2004

고래가 꽃으로 변해요
The Magician Turned the Whale into a Flower.
c-print
2004

Miss Sparkle Sprinkles the Magic
c-print
2005

Via Neatorama.

I admit that I’m very un-photogenic. Even my own mother tells me so. “Why do you look so bad in pictures? Practice how to pose in front of the mirror!” Perhaps it’s my natural awkwardness and/or low self-esteem manifesting itself on film. Or maybe I just don’t have the face for it.

Being an artiste, I’ve studied human anatomy and the human form many times (heck I had to stare at naked bodies for 8 hours straight every Saturday for an entire summer). Working in marketing, I sometimes have to pour through hundreds of photos, examining face after face. And I’ve noticed that there are certain features that definitely makes one easier to draw, or more pleasing to the eye when photographed:

1. Large eyes with dark, thick lashes
2. Small chin on women, large chin on men
3. Full, thick lips
4. Fairly symmetrical features

This isn’t too surprising. After all, these are the same features that scientists have declared to be what we, as humans, find the most attractive in the opposite sex.

I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any of those features. I have small eyes with non-existent eyelashes, thin lips, and a strong, prominent (masculine) jawline. However, I believe that these features “work” for me. I don’t have classically beautiful features, but I have been described as being “exotic” several times. There have even been instances where strangers have stopped me on the street to tell me that I’m beautiful (and not in a shady, I’m-hitting-on-you way).

Nonetheless, the fact remains that I still don’t photograph well due to these features.

I know a girl (I won’t mention her name lest she gets embarrassed) who is drop-dead gorgeous in real life, and many people agree with me. However, the very features that give her the unforgettable, exotic look (upturned almond-shaped eyes, slightly asymmetrical face) make her look horrible in pictures.

I also know of some people who look fabulous on film (thinner, younger, and generally more attractive) but they don’t look that great in real life. I often find myself comparing their pictures with their real-life-selves and wondering how they could look so good in pictures, even better than they are in real life. And I see that they have the same exact features I’ve outlined above.

There are also those who look exactly the same on film and in person.

Which category do you think you fall under? Are you happy with the way you look on film? Do you think you’re unphotogenic?

Also, if you want to know my opinion of whether I think you’re photogenic, leave me a comment and I’ll let you know.