New to DSLR

[Bruceman]

Hi! My name is Bruce Adams and I just purchased a Pentax K-x with the two kit zoom lenses.

I've been using a vintage Konica SLR (nT3) with a variety of prime Hexanon lenses for probably 8 or 10 years. My primary subjects have been florals and candids. Florals because they're inherently beautiful and they stand still for you. Candids because I love my family and friends!

Finally jumped to a DSLR because I have a new grandson whom I'm just crazy about and I want to have a less unwieldy camera to photograph him as he grows.

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Here's a shot I took this past Saturday. It was cropped, sepia-toned and re-sized in Picasa. Lighting was by two vintage thyristor flashes (which I've learned are not to be used with DSLRs) and the background is an old projector screen.

I'm looking forward to the immediacy of digital and the freedom to shoot without consideration of the cost to develop.

Picasa is my primary tool for image manipulation because of its ease of use and ability to integrate with print services. I also use Photoshop when I want more control.

I also enjoy woodworking (currently building a dining room table) and babysitting my grandson.

[JohnB]

Welcome to the forum, Bruce! And congratulations on your grandson. I have a few years before I get to enjoy the blessings of grandchildren.

Looking forward to Saturday! Maybe we can convince Steve to extend the deadline for this week's challenge by a couple of days so we can get our photos processed and submitted.

[Steve Paxton]

Hello Bruce! I am glad you jumped in (thanks John for inviting him!). Lovely image! I have always wished I new a little bit about woodworking - that's a great skill to have. :)


Looking forward to Saturday! Maybe we can convince Steve to extend the deadline for this week's challenge by a couple of days so we can get our photos processed and submitted.

Of course! I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with.

[Bruceman]

Steve,

Here's the current status of the dining room table project:

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I just put a "spit coat" of shellac on it. This is to control the absorption of the dye. My wife wants the table to have a dark finish. Personally, I think it's a crime to stain cherry, but the table's for her. I still have to make the apron and two leaves, but Sandy has been so anxious to have the table usable, I decided to put a finish on the table and then complete those items. You'll notice it's already in the dining room. I don't really have a usable shop, just a small basement with far too many tools in it. Once the project reaches a certain size, it has to come upstairs.

Bruce

[Steve Paxton]

That's a beautiful table Bruce - great work! The finish looks terrific! Are you milling all the parts yourself?

[Bruceman]

Thanks Steve. Yes, it started out as a pile of rough-cut lumber. A lot of the fun for me in this project has been all the firsts. Bent lamination, multiple identical turnings, large-panel glue-up (which didn't go well), shellac from flakes, dye rather than stain, etc. I still don't know how it's going to turn out.

Bruce

[DCrutchfield]

welcome in Bruce! Really fine woodwork there. A 5 legged table, that's a clever design, and all your turning and milling look great! I'd love to see the finished piece too!