Several people have asked what camera I use, so I thought I'd give "Reb" his very own post!  Reb got his name in part because he's a Canon Rebel XTi, and in part because at the time it arrived the children and I were enjoying The Reb and the Reb Coats as a read aloud.

Back in July, my true love gave me a new love!  My sweetheart and I decided to buy each other a camera  for our anniversary.  I remember asking him a hundred times if this was really what he wanted to do as an "us" gift, because we both knew I'd be the one primarily using it.  He said it would indeed be for us, because I'd be using it to capture memories of our children--to him a part of the gift would be that I'd use it! 

Little did we know that this camera would do such a great job keeping me entertained and out of trouble!   I've been having a fabulous time trying to move my snapshots toward actual photography.  I'm not even close, but am enjoying the challenge.

A friend gave me great advice, suggesting I skip the "kit lens" that often comes with the camera, and get the body alone and a 50mm lens separately.  That 50mm lens isn't the greatest construction quality (as I discovered when I smashed both it and my elbow tripping up a catherdral's steps one photo shoot) but optically it is fantastic, and it is an amazingly versitle little lens.  I've shot more photos with it than with any other!  For many months it was all I had, and I still reach for it most!  My other two lenses are a mid-range zoom (28-135mm), which does great, but is limited in lower light, and a very cool new 100mm f/2.8 macro (My Valentine's Day gift!); which I'm just learning to use, but already love!

Finally a few people have asked about what software I use to process photos: I use a combination of the Camera Raw software that came with the camera (DPP) and Photoshop (CS3).  Having good tools helps eliminate frustrations; just like I love my Le Creuset pans in the kitchen--but I've still gotta work hard to learn the art of cooking if I want the recipes to taste fabulous.  There are chefs who can cook a more sumptious meal in a battered tin pan than I can in Le Creuset.  I'm neither a chef nor an acomplished photographer--even with great tools, but it is fun to play.

Photo shot with my Kodak Easyshare.