A day

Today I stayed in bed till after Oprah. Yes, I watch Oprah. I love her. I’d probably make a tit of myself just like the middle aged, middle class tubbies in her audience. It’s comforting really, that I can be so contrary in most of my opinions, and yet go crazy about Oprah like most of middle America.

It was a pretty ordinary show today, despite having Salma Hayek and Forrest Whittaker on. But still, it felt good.

Then I got up and went to Medicare to get some money back for the last couple of counselling sessions, and then to Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre. They have HUGE pool, with bits for laps, bits for kids, and a sort of figure 8 whirlpool thingy. I bravely wandered in on my lonesome, stripped off and exposed my lardy bits to some toddlers, and climbed in to use some muscles that haven’t been used in about 2 years.
I was feeling the burn during the first lap, but still went on to do five laps. I could have done more, but I didn’t want to over do it and not be able to go back. (That’s five laps of the figure eight thingy – no idea how long each lap is, but long).

I bought a few ties for Mark from Tarocash (two crappy ones, and a purple paisley one) to replace some of his collection that are overdue for retirement.

And then off to ikea for a few bits to complete my dodgy photographic kit. A proper studio lighting kit can set you back many thousands of dollars, but thanks to a post I found on a photographic website, and my adorable husband, I now have the beginnings of a decent kit, for less than $200. Two worklights from a hardware shop (a single and a double on a stand), a shower curtain, and a car sunshade with one white side, and one shiny reflective side. A couple of daylight bulbs for the lamps round out the basic kit. Add some gaffer tape, a few bulldog clips, and some wooden pegs, and you may not look like a profesional, but you should be able to get some professional looking shots.

Now that I have been outed as the photographer of the shots on Jussi‘s new site, I’d like to publicly thank her for being so wonderfully supportive of my learning process. I’ve been photographing plants and animals for a while now, and I’ve even been happy with a few wedding shots I’ve taken, but babies are a whole new experience. I don’t yet feel that I’ve taken any good shots yet. Some are OK, and I hope they show Jussi’s wonderful knitwear well, and that the shots have some emotional pull on potential customers. I feel confident that I’ll be able to get better and better, but the patience and generous praise from Justine and the parents have been very encouraging.

Maybe photography is something that I can earn a few dollars from eventually. And if not, at least it’s something I can gain pleasure from.

Tomorrow, more pictures (sans babies).