Friday, April 26, 2013

Baby Steps


1 Corinthians 3:2
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.  Indeed, you are still not ready.

Danny is so excited!  His new camera has arrived!!!



I'm so excited!  He's giving me his old one!!!



But, I'm also nervous and worried about using it.  All I've ever had is a point-and-shoot.  I love my tiny Canon Elph.  Though I know this more complex camera will enable me to do so much more, I have doubts about learning to use it with the kind of skill Danny has.

When Danny begins showing me how to use the camera, he forgets how little I understand photography terms.  He tells me too much, too fast.  The words swirl senselessly around in my head - in one ear, out the other.  I can't handle this solid food.  I need milk!

"Honey, you're going to have to slow down," I tell him kindly, because he really is trying to help.  "Just show me one step at a time, enough for me to be able to take some photos and see how they turn out."

"I'm sorry," Danny says.  "I guess it is too much information to remember all at once.  Let's start over.  Just the basics this time, I promise."

And, that's exactly what we do.  Baby steps.  When I know how to focus it, put the photo card in and out, change lenses and caps, I'm ready (I hope) for my first real photographic experience.

I set up a chair in our backyard not far from the bird feeder.  Of course, my initial arrival sees the birds and squirrels heading for the hills.  But, I sit quietly.  Patiently.  Hardly moving a muscle.

And, it isn't long before my feathered and furry friends make their entrance.  The siren call of the bird seed is simply too alluring.  Oh, I am thrilled!  I snap away with abandon, knowing I have to take many photos to get a few passable ones.  I dare not hope for anything great.  Not.  Just.  Yet.

When Danny comes home from work, we look at the images on his computer, deleting any which are out of focus.  Then, the next step - working a new program for raw pictures on Photo Shop.  Another call for milk!  But, Danny shows me the ropes and helps me out until I'm comfortable enough to work on my own.  Here are the results . . .











After viewing these, what do you think?  Am I ready to move on to solid food?

~

Where are you in your Christian walk?  Eating solid food, or still drinking milk?

Will you pray with me?
Father, we thank You for the many gifts and talents You give to each of us.  May we develop and use them to Your honor and glory.  Take us from baby steps to maturity in our Christian faith.  Amen.

14 comments:

  1. So excited for you and looking forward to a lot more photographs. The squirrels look good - so I think you're all set! :)

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    1. Thanks for your confidence in me, Corinne, and for stopping by. I so appreciate your visit!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. I'm proud of you for trying something new! It's good to keep challenging ourselves, isn't it?

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    1. Yes, Cairn, I'm with you! It is good to keep challenging ourselves to learn new things. I will be a work in progress for quite some time. :)
      Thanks so much for coming by!
      Blessings and love!

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  3. You are most definitely ready for solid food.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for your vote of confidence, Joyce! So appreciated. Now, I want to go out and try for more. :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. Those are very delicate pictures Martha :) Very good for a first timer :) As I've read from Jim B, it's the vision that makes you a great artist and photographer and not the camera ;)

    I remember changing my diet because I couldn't handle the food I was taking in and it worked for me...I guess, in terms of living out my faith, I'm also learning how to chew the food God is feeding me...Yes, now I could say I'm ready for more 'solid' food :)

    Lots of love to you and I pray with you ~ our prayer is also the Pope's challenge for the youth and all of us. May we share and not hide the talents God gave us.

    I'll be writing you soon :) God bless.

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    1. So wonderful to see you here, Melissa, as always!
      Thanks for your positive input about the photos. I do have a way to go, but, isn't that the way when God gives us something new to learn? We listen and humble ourselves to His teaching; even when it takes a long time, we know He will get us to our destination.
      Keep chewing upon God's nourishment, for he will fill you to the brim.
      And, I love the Pope's challenge to share, not hide, the talents God has given to us. What a wonderful representative he is of our Lord on earth!
      Love and blessings, dear one!

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  5. love the squirrel/bird photo Martha. I haven't quite upgraded my camera yet but still enjoying taking photos with my digital camera. I got a slightly more advanced one than I used to have and a better quality camera naturally takes better photos.

    your photos look sharp and we can really see the lighting and effects. looking forward to seeing more of your photos on the blog:)

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Vishnu!
      Glad you enjoyed the photos. :) I'm looking forward to getting better as I go along. Danny and I are taking a trip to the mountains soon, so hope to have lots of subjects to take and many helpful tutorials.
      Blessings, my friend!

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  6. Oh they are marvelous. I on the other hand have issues with sitting in one place for very long, so I am always catching crittters on the run...lol I believe you can start with the solids now. what a wonderful experience for you. I am all trial and error. Being the AA'er I am I don't take direction well, have to fall down a few times on my own before I will consent to follow anyone's direction. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't, but seems to be who I am...
    I have found that my HP is very patient with me and will teach me the same thing over and over if I choose not to learn the first time...lol
    Congratulations.

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    1. Thank you for coming by, Jan, and for your kind words of encouragement. I think you are an amazing photographer, chance or not. :) Glad you think I'm ready for that solid food. Can't wait to go to the mountains next week and really work at it.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. How cute are those squirrels?! I've never really tried shooting manually because all I have is my point and shoot camera and my android phone camera. Your shots are pretty good for someone who is a beginner, Martha!

    Strange that this is the second time I was reminded that baby steps are definitely okay! I sometimes have the need to rush things, but well, I read your post and He must be telling me that slowly but surely is just as good, or maybe even better!

    God bless, Martha! <3 :-)

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Irene, and thanks for your vote of confidence!
      Baby steps are okay and, many times, absolutely necessary to get where we want to go. In the past, I've had the tendency to want to rush things, too, but I've learned that God has His own timing for all that we do. If we can stay in step with Him, we will reach the goal!
      Love and blessings!

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