Even before moving to Germany I gave serious thought to purchasing a digital camera. The digital camera I currently have is quite old (puts images on a 3.5" floppy) however still works really well (although I find the pictures come out a bit dark). I've asked almost everyone I know what kind of digital camera they have, I've read so many consumer reports and countless reviews that after being bogged down with information I was almost back to square one.
After talking with my friend Jin I realised that one of the main reasons for my wanting a digital camera is to send photos out with the shortest turnaround time. It had nothing to do with my wanting a new gadget or how cheap it will end up being in the long run. To be quite honest I enjoy my 35mm camera and I love taking pictures. There is no equal to opening your photo package and seeing what your photographs look like. To me it is almost like mini presents all year round (so much for instant gratification right). So after several emails to and from my mother and husband I shelved the idea indefinately, or so I thought.
Two days later my husband sends me an email telling me to get a digital camera. Of course I respond saying that I wasn't going to get one but I appreciated his support. The response was short, swift and sweet. Apparently the enthusiasm at the thought of buying one was infectuous that now he wanted one and really wanted me to purchase two, one for me and one for him. I guess this tour in Iraq is quite different from his last one and it feels more like he wants me to "see" certain things that are there. When I was visiting my mother, she showed me a book that she had been given. In this rather large book were pictures. These were ordinary pictures, but then again, not quite so ordinary. The book was organized alphabetically and there was a two-page spread for every country on this planet. There was one main picture and about 4 or 5 other smaller ones, each depicting something different. It wasn't unusual to see a photograph of one well-known place and yet others may not be as well known. I know that I may never be lucky enough to travel to Afghanistan but I still remember the photograph of a Mosque that was in that book. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of that building. Despite what is happening in the sandbox, I know that there are some gorgeous, breath takingly scenic views to be had. But I digress.
After much deliberation and many emails back and forth, I decided to buy a digital camera (Samsung). Oh my word, talk about confusing. My camera of preference is a manual 35mm and I'm used to setting the camera up depending on what sort of scene I'm taking. Knowing that was only a drop in the bucket. Trying to figure out how and where to set all of this stuff up on this digital is a job for a rocket scientist. With that being said, I'm sure many people have bought this camera in the past, left everything on auto and called it a day. Unfortunately that isn't me.
Anyway the digital camera has been tinkered with a little bit. I just hope I remember everything for when I go to shoot the first picture. Now I just need to remember to take it with me tomorrow. I'll take some photos with it, hope for the best and then send the camera to the husband.
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