This journal documents my experiences with a Canon 50D, my first DSLR camera, purchased on Oct. 16, 2008. The camera was end-of-lined by Canon in July 2010 and the 60D was announced.
technique
For the first time ever, I shot entirely in Manual mode last night. And I took my camera of Safety Shift because it was usually the wrong exposure when it compensated.
After trial end error I found that f/1.8, 1/60s at ISO 800 and spot metering with my 50mm gets me the correct exposure nine times out of ten (ignoring the exposure meter), in streetlight, as long as the scene isn't in bright light or severe shadows otherwise I have to use exposure compensation.
I can finally go pro.
photo technique
 |
| For St. Valentines Day, composite of a sequence of two photos taken at Nathan Philips Square skating rink of the pickup artist making a pass. On the left half, he delivers his pickup-line and on the right half she reacts as he skates away. I don't know how this ended because I had to catch my train. Given her reaction, I assume it went well. |
 |
| From Passing Fancy |
I also include the photo with the rule-of-thirds grid overlayed showing my completely accidental near-perfect composition. My only regret is that more of City Hall isn't visible in the background.
links
photos
 |
 |
 |
| From Time After Time |
This tower appears in a scene in the movie "Pushing Tin" with Angelina Jolie. The first photo was taken from the GO train window, a few months after I bought my camera. If you look closely, you can see the snow. The second photo was taken three years and two days later. The entire area used to be industrial and is now being rezoned for residential. (I think the tower is being dismantled).
A Century on Film: How Kodak Succumbed to the Digital Age (originally in German but superbly translated).