I once dreamed of roaming the world, photographing awe-inspiring natural wonders for National Geographic or charismatic celebrities as the next Annie Leiboviz.
In time, I discovered I fare better shooting house cats and husbands.{With a camera, people, not a gun.}
I still love taking pictures anyway.
My parents bought me my first camera when I was somewhere around age eight or nine. With that Kodak Disc, which looked more like a deck of cards than a camera, I captured pandas playing at the National Zoo, buffalo roaming across the Black Hills, and the last Dusky Seaside Sparrow before the species faded into extinction. Good stuff. Things I can only recall now because of my aged photos.
By my tween years, I upgraded to a Minolta 35mm, a treasure I still yearn to experiment with, if only I could find film. I took a couple of photography classes in college, learned how to coax images from film to paper, and went through several more cameras before I bought my current Nikon.
The art of photography transformed with the arrival of the digital age. I am now utterly spoiled by my 8 gig memory card, which allowed me to take 2,500+ pictures over a ten day vacation in Costa Rica. Unreal. Compare that to the twelve rolls of film I shot while on my wedding and honeymoon journey through Italy — only 288 chances to record a momentous journey, and no knowledge of if the images turned out until weeks later when the glossy 4x6s were finally in hand.
But I just can’t keep up. The technology advances at break-neck speeds and the costs are, well, prohibitive. I don’t own a digital SLR camera or Photoshop. Yet. But I do adore my little Nikon P90 and Picassa, so when I saw Galit Breen of These Little Waves and Alison of Mama Wants This decided to host a Memories Captured link up, I simply couldn’t resist.
Pure joy captured: a boy, an ice cream cone, a gorgeous day at the park with his parents. I should have used this for my holiday cards last year.
I couldn’t decide which version I adored more. I could have kept playing on Picassa for hours, but I do have a few other things with which to occupy my time. I love the timelessness of the first image; it could have been taken in 1960, 1985, or yesterday. The second image captures the vibrant sparkle and deep indigo of Kiddo’s eyes. They get me every time.
Which do you prefer?
Pure joy captured, indeed! I adore both versions, I adore that you called him your sunshine, and oh my that smile!
{What a stunner!}
My recent post Memories Captured January Linky!
They truly are our sunshine, aren't they? I think both pictures are beautiful, though #2 speaks to me more, because I just love the light in the back!
Thank you for linking up with us!
My recent post Memories Captured – January Link Up!
I love his eyes in #2. but both are fantastic photos!
My recent post Memories Captured: From Stretch to Dream
Looks like you captured a perfect moment!
My recent post Memories Captured: Family
He is such a handsome boy, and those eyes…oh my gosh! Love them both for different reasons, just as you said!
My recent post Situation Normal
Look at you and all your professional touches there!
Hey did you see the SheCon is in May at Disney … you can drive there and we can hang out!
My recent post A Birthday Memory Captured
Oohh… going to look it up now. Even if I don't "officially" go, I can still head over and hang out :~)
I prefer #1 for some reason….but either way it's a perfect shot of your sunshine.
Gorgeous — Both of them!! He's like a little Gap model! When you get photoshop, download all of the actions from the Pioneer Woman blog … you will go crazy.
My recent post Do The Humpty Hump
I wouldn't have been able to make that choice either. Your son is gorgeous! That hair…
Great shot, he looks so happy. I love the first picture for some reason
My recent post Love Equality
Great Picture with wonderful words describing your son at this stage in his life!
My recent post Memories Captured
You have a gorgeous little boy. I like both pictures, for different reasons, as you said. Though to make a choice, but in the end I'd go with #2 because of the eyes and the arrangement of the text.
He's gorgeous! Love how his baby blues stand out in the second photo. Priceless.
Hard call, but it's got to be the bottom one for me. Those blue blue eyes look like what you really captured in this memory was the sky.
OMGoodness! He is precious!! I am with you on the camera thing. I LOVE taking pics. But, lately I haven't been b/c my camera is old, and the pics aren't that great. I wish I had large cash to run out and by one top of the line, but I don't. And, you're so right! The minute I run and get one it will be behind in technology. Sigh…
And I still remember my camera from when I was a little girl. It took 110 film! LOL
My recent post Memories Captured: Sweet Dreamer
I love both versions of that shot – did you try B&W? Love the blueness on the second – bringing out those beautiful eyes! I did one of my son last time and a few of the words used are the same, boys and their legos..
My recent post Once Upon a Time…
I love both too – he sure is a cutie! I think I like the first one more for some reason – maybe the timelessness you mentioned? Normally I'd go for the brighter colors, but something about that first one just gets to me.
Love his smile! I love both, but the second one catches my eye faster 🙂
My recent post Spirit of Tae Kwon Do
How great! I love the two versions – so cool to see the differences. They're both awesome, but I think I like the purity of the first a little more. Great captures!
My recent post Tick-Tock Goes the Clock
This boy is going to melt girls hearts like he's melting that icecream. Love the first layout but the 2nd really highlights his eyes. He sounds like a busy boy with lots to keep him and you busy.
What a gorgeous picture!
I too wanted to be a great photographer….but then I became a nurse…actually it's because I realized that I can't take good pictures.
I have a Nikkon too. It's a P500. That SOB really irkes me. I find that it takes blurry photos if there is any sort of movement. Well, maybe it's the photographer's fault.
Meh
My recent post I’m A Pretty Big Thing In H-Town
Pure joy for sure!!! What a great looking kid you have there!
How gorgeous is he? I think I like the top one best, but I like them both. And I love Picassa too!
Oooh I love it. Such a great shot made even better with the words. Especially 'shrimp' 😀
My recent post Wordless Wednesday
I think they're both amazing! If I had to choose though, the bright blue eyes get your attention in the second one so well.
My recent post Memories Captured – January