Thursday, January 16, 2014
My new blog
Once again, I am creating a new blog, but this time, instead of creating one for Oregon travel (Travels of Oregon) or explorations of the Willamette Valley (Mid-Willamette Explorer), the new one will be the photographs I take as I explore the realm of Outdoor Photography. As I couldn't think of anything creative that fits, I defaulted to my name: Jon Patzer Photography/
Sunday, January 12, 2014
My 2014 Oregon "bucket" list
1: Go Crabbing at Newport
2: Go Clamming at Newport
3: Catch a fish at the Silverton Reservoir (Silverton)
4: Try fishing off the beach (Taft?)
5: Visit 2 Benton County Parks
6: Visit Panorama Point County Park in Hood River County
7: Visit 6 Marion County Parks
10: Visit 10 state parks along the Oregon Coast
11: Visit 10 state parks in the Willamette Valley
13: Visit 5 National Refuges, Monuments, Parks, etc in Oregon
17: Visit the Oregon Garden once a month from March to November
18: Kayak once a month from May to October
19: Visit 12 different waterfalls
2: Go Clamming at Newport
3: Catch a fish at the Silverton Reservoir (Silverton)
5: Visit 2 Benton County Parks
6: Visit Panorama Point County Park in Hood River County
7: Visit 6 Marion County Parks
McKay Falls at Scotts Mills County Park
8: Visit 2 Linn County Parks
Unidentified flower at Roaring River County Park
9: Visit 2 Polk County Parks10: Visit 10 state parks along the Oregon Coast
11: Visit 10 state parks in the Willamette Valley
Thompson's Mills State Park
12: Visit 5 state parks elsewhere in Oregon13: Visit 5 National Refuges, Monuments, Parks, etc in Oregon
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
14: Drive or walk across 12 different covered bridges in the Mid-Willamette Valley
Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge
15: Visit 12 museums across the mid-Willamette Valley
Forest History Museum
16: Visit 2 fish hatcheries17: Visit the Oregon Garden once a month from March to November
19: Visit 12 different waterfalls
Silver Falls State Park
20: Capture photos of Oregon good enough to be sold at the Bush Barn Art Center in Salem
Friday, January 10, 2014
My new camera
I bought my new DSLR camera yesterday and wen with the Canon EOS Rebel T3. On top of that, I decided to get the Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300 mm 1:4-5.6 III so I can hopefully get better pictures of animals from further away--if I had the money, I would have bought the best zoom lens in the store.
After getting home and charging the battery for a while, I decided to start learning how to use it. Unfortunately, it would not read my 4Gig memory card no matter what I tried. So today, I decided to take the back the camera and the basic lens, along with the memory card. That way I could find out which thing was faulty. After trying the memory card on several other cameras, and getting the same results, the worker and I came to the conclusion that the memory card was a dud. The good news: I got a new 4 Gig memory card for half off. As I started to pack up, I reminded myself that I should look for a good camera bag as the one I that was given to me years before could only hold the camera and a regular-sized lens. I saw one that I liked, and after I was shown that it can be worn like a fanny pack, I decided to get it as well. After I got home, I began to learn how to use my new camera from trial & error as well as reading the manual. My first subject: using a pet to see the color difference between my new DSLR camera and my little Point-N-Shoot, and the results are somewhat dramatic. It kind of makes me think "why have I not bought a DSLR sooner," which the answer of course is because I had not taken a camera class before that uses the first three class periods to talk about the differences in cameras and how to pick one. Anyway, here is that little experiment:
The point-n-shoot:
After these pictures, I not only knew that my camera worked, but I will be able to capture flowers in stunning detail come Spring. Good thing, because there are a few places I would like to revisit due to the plants found at those sites.
The camera, basic 18-55 mm lens, and the 75-300 mm lens (both extended)
The camera and basic lens
The camera and zoom lens
The camera and it's flash
After getting home and charging the battery for a while, I decided to start learning how to use it. Unfortunately, it would not read my 4Gig memory card no matter what I tried. So today, I decided to take the back the camera and the basic lens, along with the memory card. That way I could find out which thing was faulty. After trying the memory card on several other cameras, and getting the same results, the worker and I came to the conclusion that the memory card was a dud. The good news: I got a new 4 Gig memory card for half off. As I started to pack up, I reminded myself that I should look for a good camera bag as the one I that was given to me years before could only hold the camera and a regular-sized lens. I saw one that I liked, and after I was shown that it can be worn like a fanny pack, I decided to get it as well. After I got home, I began to learn how to use my new camera from trial & error as well as reading the manual. My first subject: using a pet to see the color difference between my new DSLR camera and my little Point-N-Shoot, and the results are somewhat dramatic. It kind of makes me think "why have I not bought a DSLR sooner," which the answer of course is because I had not taken a camera class before that uses the first three class periods to talk about the differences in cameras and how to pick one. Anyway, here is that little experiment:
The point-n-shoot:
(yes, I know the picture isn't that great)
The DSLR:
(the dog really is that color)
The verdict: better & more realistic color, less eye glare, and much more vivid. It kind of makes me want to know what she is looking at (the camera or me)
So on I went to look for something to use for the next test: seeing how clear something small is with the new camera. What I found to use was a clear blue glass heart hanging inside the void on a stained glass piece:
After these pictures, I not only knew that my camera worked, but I will be able to capture flowers in stunning detail come Spring. Good thing, because there are a few places I would like to revisit due to the plants found at those sites.
Next, I switched out the basic lens for the zoom lens to see how far I can get for certain amounts of detail. The first test: get a picture of these little cat figurines that sit on a shelf; the distance--about 50 feet. The result:
The second test: get a picture of a tree from roughly 450 feet away. The result: better than the eye can see...
Here is something to note: do you see that cyclone fence at the edge of the field in the background, right in front of the trees? Good. If I had never bought this camera, I would not have known about the fence as it is a half mile away.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Photography course at Chemeketa Community College
During last term, my focus was on learning more about Oregon, and so I took a Geography of Oregon class. This term, however, my focus is turned toward learning how to take better pictures, and so I am in a photography class. Unfortunately, while my point-and-shoot camera takes good photos, I have learned it does not give me the full creative control of a DSLR camera. So tomorrow I plan on going to the local Shutterbug and getting the cheapest DSLR I can get ($450). The good news for me is that as I continue to upgrade my camera, I should be able to use the same lenses on every DSLR I buy as long as I stick to one brand. After consideration, the brand I choose is going to be a Canon. On top of that, I plan on buying a $125 changeable lens that will continue to allow me to get great photos of flowers like the ones below that I took last year (my favorite is the yellow one with orange spots).
Now of course, when you add those values together, it means I will be paying $575 for the first camera I ever bought myself as all the other cameras that I have had were either hand-me-downs or bought for me without my input for what I wanted. Now, for me that is quite expensive as lately I have been making less than $140 a week after health insurance and taxes are taken out; and that is working three days a week. To put it plainly, if I work only one day a week, which happened this week by the way, I basically will make nothing. So, once again I am looking for a second job to help cover basic expenses (student loans, car insurance, etc.). Thank God I am able to live with family until I can support myself, as the economy has shown that a bachelor degree doesn't mean squat! Luckily I still have some money saved up from when I worked at the cannery over a year ago.
So instead of looking to see which class I will be taking next term, I am now looking for another job...again. I am hoping for a job with the USPS or a live-in community type of thing for the elderly or disabled, but we'll see. At any rate, my exploration blog (Mid-Willamette Explorer) may see few articles during the next few months due to lack of hours at work. If this does become a reality, I will definitely make an effort in Spring when the flowers come out and the scenery of the valley becomes more pleasant.
Now of course, when you add those values together, it means I will be paying $575 for the first camera I ever bought myself as all the other cameras that I have had were either hand-me-downs or bought for me without my input for what I wanted. Now, for me that is quite expensive as lately I have been making less than $140 a week after health insurance and taxes are taken out; and that is working three days a week. To put it plainly, if I work only one day a week, which happened this week by the way, I basically will make nothing. So, once again I am looking for a second job to help cover basic expenses (student loans, car insurance, etc.). Thank God I am able to live with family until I can support myself, as the economy has shown that a bachelor degree doesn't mean squat! Luckily I still have some money saved up from when I worked at the cannery over a year ago.
So instead of looking to see which class I will be taking next term, I am now looking for another job...again. I am hoping for a job with the USPS or a live-in community type of thing for the elderly or disabled, but we'll see. At any rate, my exploration blog (Mid-Willamette Explorer) may see few articles during the next few months due to lack of hours at work. If this does become a reality, I will definitely make an effort in Spring when the flowers come out and the scenery of the valley becomes more pleasant.
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