The Trouble With Technology
I got an ipod for Christmas last year, a really nice one with a screen and everything. I downloaded a couple songs on it, thinking I'd listen to it at the gym. But, I started going to classes at the gym and found I didn't really need it, so there the ipod sat in my drawer for another few months. I'd see it every once in a while and feel guilty for not using it. After a while, I wasn't exactly sure where I'd left the cord to hook it up to the computer and charge it. And I couldn't locate the instruction manual. Then finally, over Labor Day weekend, I decided to book a flight to visit my sister in the Seattle area. If you've ever flown there, you know what a long flight it is. I wasn't sure if I'd be in the mood for talking on the plane, so I decided to bring along the ipod.
The trouble was that the ipod hardly had any music on it, and, again, I wasn't sure how to charge it or where the instruction manual was. I dug around and finally found the cord so I thought I was all set. I logged onto itunes, thinking I'd download a few songs and be on my way. (Incidentally, is it just me or for something so supposedly current, does itunes have one of the worst user interfaces ever?) I was pretty frustrated right off the bat. I didn't know what music to download or exactly how to get the music onto the ipod. You see, in the car I listen to either KERA (public radio) or a CD of my choice. So I don't really know what's on the radio except for what I hear in spin class at the gym. And because the oxygen is diverted from my brain, I never can remember the names of any of the songs once class is over!
Two days before my trip, my lovely stepdaughter, Karen, came over for supper from college across town. After telling her of my ipod woes, she sat down with me at the computer and picked out songs she thought I would like. She was so patient and helpful and I got my ipod loaded with all kinds of music that I like - some hip hop (maybe I'm not that old, after all!) and alternative music, along with some of my country and rock CDs.
I tell you this story for two reasons.
- When you buy new equipment, hold onto the instruction manual and all the parts.
- When you don't know what the heck you are doing, consult an expert.
People ask me about equipment from time to time. I read reviews on equipment only when I am in the market so if you were to ask me for advice on what to buy, I probably wouldn't be much help. Technology is changing all the time and it's hard to know all the products that are out there. So, what I tell people is that the number of megapixels is not very important if you are going to print snapshot sized prints. If you want larger than 8x10 prints, you may want to consider an SLR (a camera with interchangeable lenses) with a higher number of megapixels.
That is very basic advice. For more thorough advice, I recommend two excellent sites:
www.steves-digicams.com and
www.dpreview.com. These two sites contain very detailed product reviews. Also, you can read other users' reviews on-line by searching for the product in a Google search or you can read a photography magazine (which you can probably also find on-line).
Another good source of information comes from photography clubs (on-line or in person). You'll meet people who have the same type of camera as you or can offer good advice on what to buy and what to avoid. I have gotten so much great advice from my camera club friends.
And once you get the equipment, force yourself to go over the instruction manual once, page by page. This can be intimidating but normally, on a new camera, you set everything up right at the beginning and change only a few functions when you are taking pictures.
And if you happen to have a teenager in the house, ask them to hold your hand through the process. It really helps!
Until next month,
Dawn
P.S. Here are some recent photos I took of some beautiful sisters on a very overcast day in the middle of the afternoon. What a cool park this was! It was a really fun shoot!
When Halloween finally arrives, it's no telling what condition the costumes will be in! I've decided to give it a couple more weeks before opening the boxes. This summer, I happened to get this shot of the boys, one of the few times when they aren't trying to kill each other:
