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April 6, 2009

Goodness help me. That darling boy I’ve been married to for 17 years (as of two days ago) got me a new camera as a belated b-day + anniversary gift to help with the blog. It has more features than I’ll ever use and WAY better video functions — the most important of which is that it makes files compatible with the neat video editing software that came with Vista on my new computer that I had to get in October when my old one got so slow it was greatly impeding my productivity. So, fair warning, I’ll probably overload you with photos and videos now.

I’m excited with the camera for a few other reasons:

1. I finally have my own camera. See … until now, we shared one, and since Tom often needs it for work (and he works all the time), there were many, many, many times I wanted to snap a shot and couldn’t.

2. It’s quite small and takes both stills and video clips, so I can take it on our adventures (like KB, Dog-Geek and others do).

3. It’s fun to have something new. I’ve always been a frugal girl, but out of necessity I’ve been more so in the last couple of years. That means, it’s pretty rare to have something new and exciting.

4. Plus, I get to learn how to make neat videos, with edited clips, easy graphics, and (once I figure it out) music.

Here are the details on what I’m using now:

  • Canon PowerShot A1000 IS
  • 10 mega pixels
  • 4x optical zoom
  • Image stabilizer
  • Video function

It has special settings for:

  • Portraits
  • Landscapes
  • Night shots
  • Indoor shots
  • Super close ups
  • Panoramic shots (easily stitched together)

Not impressed? Well, is also has a special setting for kids & pets, who often move. Ha!

Plus, through a menu, you can pick preset functions for shooting:

  • Night scenes
  • Sunsets
  • Foliage
  • Subjects in the snow
  • Subjects on a beach
  • Fireworks
  • Aquariums
  • Super high ISO speed

It’s going to take me ages to figure all this out. You know how dogs are. They do something cute and you try to capture it FAST. So, I’ll probably just keep it set on Kids & Pets and hope for the best at first.

So, as my first entry in the Champion of My Heart video hall of fame, here is a tiny clip I made last night based on a trick slash training game I play with Lilly. I say, “Wag if you love mommy.” And, she does.

I suspect I’ll have to do some counter-conditioning with the camera, like what KB has been doing with her youngest R, since indeed Lilly looks a little suspicious.

Still, it’s a cute trick.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. I have a similar camera! The SD1100 IS. I’m totally in love with the thing. I think in the few months I’ve had it I’ve EASILY taken over 500 pictures of Marge. My hard drive is cursing me.

    Cute vid. I’ve toyed a little bit with teaching my pup to wag her tail on command, but haven’t got it down yet. She kind of just always wags it if she knows a treat’s coming.. typical Lab[mix].

  2. Woo hoo! I am definitely looking forward to seeing TONS of photos and videos of Lilly (and of course her friend Ginko)! Have fun with your new toy.

  3. Yeah, time for an external drive for all that video you’ll be making… that happened to me. Funny how when you have a new camera, you are then always looking for opportunities to use it.

  4. First, happy belated anniversary! Second, wheee! A new camera! I know you’ll have a blast with it – it is very similar to the camera I got for my anniversary. Third, love the video!

  5. That sounds like a fun toy! When my dogs are playing and moving a lot, I often use ‘burst mode’ – where the camera continually takes photos (more than 1 per sec) as long as I hold down the button.

    Ah, one more detail. Now your hard drive is going to fill up with photos and videos like mine has…

    I love Lilly’s trick!

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