About Daffodil’s Photo Blog
I live in Florida with my husband and my dogs, and I’m a high school teacher working with students with special needs. I’ve always enjoyed photography.
I’ve had a Canon Rebel XSi for over a year that I’ve only used sporadically, mostly because I’ve become too comfortable with my everyday camera, a Canon Powershot SX100 IS, an advanced point-and-shoot. It’s much easier for me to grab and use the SX100 than to work on learning to use the XSi! I decided to start this Photo Blog as a way to get myself using the XSi regularly and to become more familiar, comfortable, and skilled with it. I’m starting off with the kit lens that came with the camera, Canon EFS 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, along with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 prime lens and a Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS zoom lens.
Overall composition of a photo isn’t going to be my focus at first. I want to begin by just learning to use the camera and the lenses I already have. So I’ll be experimenting with settings, camera functions, lenses, and so on.
My plan is to take and post at least one photo a day in 2011, using my Canon Rebel XSi. I’m off to a good start with my first photos on New Year’s Day 2011!
Edited on November 24, 2011 to add that over the course of this year I got two new lens, a Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 and a Tamron 90mm f/2.8. They have become my favorite lenses. The 70-300 is a good zoom lens and I’ve especially enjoyed it for bird photography. The 90mm works well for closer photos and macro shots. I still use my Canon 50mm f/1.8 for indoor photography without flash, and I occasionally use the Canon 18-55mm for wider angle shots that my other lenses can’t handle. But the Tamrons are my everyday favorites.
Edited again on December 25, 2011 to add that I got another new lens for Christmas, a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, which is great for wide-angle shots. It also works really well for doll photos when I want to photograph the whole doll, but don’t want to have to back way off to do that.
In 2012 I got a Canon 7D camera which is a big step up from my Rebel XSi.
Mar 13, 2012 @ 23:35:42
I’ve only just discovered your blog, but I already think it’s cool. Amazing how you capture all the wildlife, and the pictures of you Masterpiece Dolls are really cute. Keep it up!
Mar 14, 2012 @ 19:55:58
Thank you for your nice comments! I enjoy taking some photos every day and sharing them here. I’ve learned so much about photography from this daily practice–as well as learning about birds, bugs, and other things I see! The Masterpiece dolls are some of my favorite dolls.
Mar 14, 2012 @ 21:49:40
Would you say this is your passion, or is it just a hobby?
Mar 15, 2012 @ 22:30:31
That’s hard to say! I’m still learning photography as I go and I really enjoy it a lot, so definitely a hobby and maybe a passion too.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 23:27:02
Well it’s great to go and do what you love. As for me, I spend a lot of my time on my passion: which would be drawing. But whether it’s your passion or hobby it’s always good to just go out and have fun.
May 11, 2012 @ 01:58:14
I’ve just discovered your blog, the photos are beautiful!
May 11, 2012 @ 06:25:56
Thank you, Eleenie!
Jun 15, 2012 @ 00:42:00
Congrats! You have been nominated for the Sunshine Award! Your posts always brighten my day! Please click here for more information: http://iadoptedadog.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/its-an-honor-to-be-nominated/.
Jun 15, 2012 @ 23:05:09
Thank you, Jessica, I really appreciate that!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 21:21:04
I am so glad I just found this part of your blog where you explain all your lenses!! What a journey and it sounds like you have your specific favorites. I certainly am looking into a 50mm and a 90mm. My Nikon d90 came with a 70-300 which I love for all purpose but mediocre for indoor pics of my doll collection. Here’s my flickr if you have time to take a peek! http://www.flickr.com/photos/serendipity505/
You have me wanting to take photo’s of the birds outside!! What a lovely hobby! Thanks a bunch and have a wonderful day!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 22:06:18
Hi again Robin, glad you found this section of my blog. The 50mm is a great second lens–not very expensive compared to most other lenses, good in low light, and capable of nice sharp photos. It was the second lens I bought. I love my 90mm for close-up shots and I’ve been using it a lot with the anoles in the yard right now. I’ll go take a look at your flickr–thanks for sharing!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 23:08:47
Robin, I just looked at your flickr and you have some gorgeous photos of your dolls! I love Dakota in the straight red wig!
Nov 15, 2012 @ 13:02:48
I LOVE your photos and Masterpiece Dolls! I’m still searching for one of these dolls. Can’t wait to make a choice…they’re all so cute. I was wonder where in FL you live. I have family in Destin and Panama City.
Charlene
Nov 15, 2012 @ 22:13:26
Hi Charlene, thank you for your nice comments! I’m sure you’ll find the right Masterpiece doll for you–there are many to choose from. I live in northeast FL, pretty far away from where your family is located.
Feb 24, 2013 @ 13:34:29
Your pictures are amazing. You do some incredible, diverse work. I’ve spent hours looking through your blog over the past few weeks. I especially like the insects and birds. I’m a master’s student in mechanical engineering who researches the mechanisms and fluid dynamics of flapping flight and I was wondering if I could talk to you about using one of your hovering bee pictures for my master’s thesis.
Feb 24, 2013 @ 15:40:53
Hi Jesse, thanks for your nice comments–I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my blog! I don’t have a problem with your using a photo for your thesis. I’m emailing you about this.
Mar 14, 2013 @ 00:13:05
I thought i recognized those dolls…was doing a search for pictures of reattaching my Twinn heads and your Tasha boy popped up wearing his FLorida green t shirt. Your pictures of life around you are wonderful fun.
Mar 14, 2013 @ 22:31:23
Hi Frankie, nice to see you here! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I guess Andre (Tasha boy) is pretty recognizable! I do have Twinn photos (and other doll photos) mixed in with the dogs, anoles, birds, etc.
Mar 20, 2013 @ 21:57:45
i love looking at your blog each day. it always cheers me. thank you. i will add a link to my website/forum where i’ve already recommended your blog.
Mar 20, 2013 @ 22:09:27
Thank you so much for your nice comments, sarah, I really appreciate it! Going outside for photos after work every day is my time to wind down and relax. I’m glad it cheers you each day!
Mar 20, 2013 @ 22:10:57
i hope that’s ok . not sure about blog etiquette? my forum is small with 13 members and a trickle of guests…2-10 each day. i am a member of another forum and could add your link to my signature. that has a much bigger membership. how would you feel about that? i have a fun blog about my chickens and could put your link on there also.
thanks for the daily lift….
Apr 04, 2013 @ 10:20:24
Hi. I was searching for Masterpiece doll Faith to find out what size shoe she wears and came across your blog. I really enjoyed looking at your photos. They are lovely. I have one MP doll, Third Times a Charm and I love her. I am ordering Faith soon. She has such a sweet face. Can I ask you what size shoe you got for her? Thank you!
Apr 04, 2013 @ 22:15:17
Hi Karen, thanks for your nice comments! I love my Faith and I hope you will like your Faith too. She amazed me when she arrived–she is a very BIG little girl, the size of a real 6-year-old! I wanted a life-size little girl so I’ve been very happy with her. Faith wears about a size 12 1/2 in shoes. Right now my Faith has on a pair of tennis shoes that fit her nicely and are 12 1/2. She has other shoes in both size 12 and size 13 that fit her too. It depends on how the sizes run for that maker or shoe style–avoid really narrow shoes which can often be too tight on her. Third Times a Charm is very sweet–Faith will be a nice big sister for her!
Apr 28, 2013 @ 13:22:22
Hi!
I love your insect photos! I’m an Ecology student, with a specific interest in Plant-Insect Interactions. I have to give a presentation this week on my dissertation, and was looking for a good image of a tobacco hornworm for one of the intro slides…would it be ok to use one of yours? If so, I’d like to reference you properly…would you please be able to send me your surname and initial purely for referencing purposes? My email is src46@st-andrews.ac.uk.
I understand if you do not wish that I use your image!
Apr 28, 2013 @ 20:18:52
Hi, Sophie, thank you for your nice comments! Yes, you can use my hornworm photo(s) for your dissertation, and my first initial/surname for referencing is K. Cusick. Good luck on your presentation–I hope it all goes well for you!