solbeam Equipped with backpack, blog and her sense of Wonder, a perpetual pilgrim wanders aimfully on....

A friend recently told me over tea, "So I'd decided along with everyone else to stop researching cameras and computers and just buy whatever you do..."

Both off and online, I get a lot of questions on my camera kit (as it has evolved significantly over the last seven years) and so here's my update as of 2/1/08.

And I want to start off by noting that my latest investments in lenses actually necessitate that I try to take this passion professional (in order to afford the cost of my terrible addition to such an expensive hobby). I am afraid for the fact that I'm carrying my savings on my back and still searching online forums for help on affordable camera equipment insurance for a meager stack of gear (compared to the REAL professionals), so if anyone has any advice, please post it below.

Back to the point: here's my camera bag and the contents of it. I have linked all images and descriptions to www.bhphotovideo.com because it's where I have consistently found the best prices, reviews and most professional service (as of 2/1/08):

(Please note that all the pictures I've taken in the last four months have been with the 70-200 f/4L and the lens that came with in the kit with the Rebel Xti body. The other two lenses were delivered to me by UPS two days ago and images will, of course, be posted soon.)

THE BAG (which I've used and is proved and TRUE):



Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Camera Bag

THE CAMERA BODY:



Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Body

THE LENSES:



Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens


Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Autofocus Lens for Select Digital SLR


Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens

THE STOCK HOSTING SITE & ALBUM

In a first attempt to accrue the funds necessary for me to pursue this costly passion, I've now also begun to upload photos to the PhotoShelter Collection:

My PhotoShelter Portfolio is small, but images have to be accepted and it's, at the least, "a process."



"The newly launched PhotoShelter Collection enables photographers of all levels to benefit from a worldwide image-selling marketplace that returns commercial and creative independence back into the hands of the artist. For commercial photo buyers, The PhotoShelter Collection aims to offer the freshest editorialized collection of imagery online." - PhotoShelter.com

THE PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY:

And finally, I've found the professional photography community at LightStalkers.org to be full of kind and patient mentors with heaps of tips and expertise to share.



RESOURCES & READS:

And if you want some clear leads on how to move forward with your own budding photo passion, I found Bryan Peterson's books to be some of the best and especially helpful in clearing up my questions and helping me expand the boundaries my own creativity:







******

Okay. I'm out of breath.