I’ve always liked taking pictures. I think I made that crystal clear in a post way back when.
However, I have come to the realization that owning a dSLR is indeed a luxury, and one that I may not be able to afford. Unless by some great miracle or some good graces of people that may chance upon this blog, I may be able to own one in the future.
Alvin, or “the absentee reader”, has said something quite true in a comment that strayed over to the SPAM folder. He said that owning a dSLR is a start of a rather expensive hobby, because sooner or later you start dreaming or aiming for the better add-ons to the dSLR. This much, I understood from the heart. Yet I had to wonder, if I did not have the body of a dSLR, how can I even afford to get the lenses, the other fancy gizmos that go with photography using a dSLR?
At some point in the past two weeks of this year, I somewhat lost a bit of hope that I could do better in photography because I understand that these “professional photography hobbyists”, if there is such a thing, may not be that inviting to people who wield point and shoot cameras as compared to the flashy dSLRs. Yes, it may be true that they can talk shop about this and that, yet isn’t photography about the passion of taking pictures? I maintain that good photography is in taking pictures and not the bow or arrow. 
I could persuade myself to believe in my words, yet see, I am only human. As a human being, I cannot help but feel my heart break whenever these photographers have photo shoots, get togethers, awesome clubs or whatever (yeah, I may have made up some things), whereas I can only admire their work from a distance.
Still, I say to myself, to hell with them. I may not have top notch equipment nor do I have breathtaking shots, but I like my shots. 
And whether or not people like my shots, I think I am quite content with capturing beauty my way. Now if only I could convince myself that every single time. What can I say? Sometimes I forget how awesome I can be. 
So anyway, my only solution this year iiiiiiiiss.. work more to get that camera!! Oh I know, somebody out there is rolling their eyes and saying, “why do you need a dSLR when your attention span is so short you will not even keep taking pictures!” Au contraire, my friend(s), I do take pictures on a daily basis. I keep my camera in my bag all the time. I am, admittedly, very very very lazy to upload them. I need a photoblog or something. (No, I will not start a photoblog.. I think.)
never lose hope lurch. i know how you feel because before i upgraded my point and shoot, i used to think i’ll never be able to photograph using a dslr and i had to deal with my p&s for more than two years until it got so frustrating.
all you said is true, it’s an expensive hobby and buying the body is only the first among a whole lot more of expensive gears you’ll drool over in the future, it’s still heartbreaking.
i read somewhere that you should only upgrade your camera if you think that your current one limits you from doing more. i think i agree on that. go on with the photoblog, there’s nothing to lose since there are lotsa free hosts out there.
Knowing your drive and determination, I would not be surprised if, quite soon, you’d post something about acquiring a new dslr… I look forward to that.
Aw lurch, I just read your post today, I think I got the better version straight from you yesterday, though
You think great pictures Lurch and I happen to know about famous photogs who prefer to wield a point-and-shoots rather than SRLs (my favorite exanple is Alex Majoli *bowing, bowing* a Magnum photographer who has won awards for his photos,which he took with an Olympus point and shoot(yay, Oly!)
It might seem cliche-ish to say that its the photographer, not the camera who creates the image, but its true. I’m still waiting for that day when I can take a really good image with a point and shoot because isn’t it more gratifying when you hear someone ask, “SLR ni?” and you get to answer, “No, point and shoot ra na!” Hehe. Just my two cents.
PS. Thanks for letting me drool over your cam, I cannot get over the manual focus thingie…:)
indeed, get a dSLR! if you need just one reason, it’s got to be BOKEH…
here are some of what i got tinkering with apertures: http://picasaweb.google.com/alv168/Bokeh?authkey=Gv1sRgCM_Vz7TxhL-lAQ&feat=directlink
Thanks guys! I shall work on it.. Hopefully this year, but while I wait for that dSLR, I shall continue to practice taking shots.
@feyoh: harhar yeah, I am working on getting the dSLR.
@alvin: whew!! very very nice shots!! do share some more of your pictures, please? Indeed, BOKEH is one of the reasons to get a dSLR! I’d also like to be able to take pictures of children who cannot stay put.
@joselle: LMAO your comment went straight to the filtered folder of comments! I just saw it today.
Anyway, yeah I have to admit that sometimes I feel a bit smug when people ask what dSLR I am using, when I am just using my camera. Heehee.. I feel like saying, VICTORY!!!
I want to take pictures of people and kids. But kids are just too hyper and restless for me to capture nicely. I end up with blurred pictures almost all the time.
dSLRs are definitely the way to go if candid shots are high on your list of priorities. faster focusing and zoom lenses allow far easier capture of candid moments than compact cameras.
here’s another link that shows some of my early attempts at candid shots: http://picasaweb.google.com/alv168/PuffingBillyAndEmeraldLake?authkey=Gv1sRgCK-gp8iq_pfdhwE&feat=directlink
I think I have the perfect dSLR to aim at. Hehehe..
Your shots are great Vin, I do want to take shots like those you took!