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Friday, February 12, 2016

What to do ... what to do?

With my dominant hand not working properly, I have had to find other things to do.

Via

Monday we took a drive along Pacific Coast Highway


to visit our son and his wife in their new home in Santa Monica - this is their view.

Via

While we were there, JP gave me his Canon Eos Rebel T3i camera.


So, I have been taking photos 


while I try to learn the ins and outs of the camera.


After cortisone shots in my thumb and wrist on Tuesday, I actually feel pretty good so we went out kayaking yesterday


and I captured some pics of the seals playing around our boats - not shot with my new camera!


I have been taking pictures of the house and objects that I can zoom in on.


One of the reasons I wanted my son's camera was because I have been wanting to get photos with an object in focus, but the background hazy.


This shot of my Valentine centerpiece and an old dried rose came out exactly as I hoped


as did this shot.


But, I haven't captured a hazy background since.


That's okay


because I have plenty of time to figure out the camera


and come up with new "handless hobbies".

54 comments:

  1. So happy you are still finding ways to feed your creative soul. I went through something similar and even had to figure out how to brush my teeth with my left hand - LOL! Sometimes I would get so frustrated I would just tear off the brace and throw it aside for a few minutes. I hope thing are back to normal soon!!

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  2. It looks like you're having fun with your new camera, Carol. Great photos of the ocean views. I can't imagine seals swimming around our kayaks!

    I hope the cortisone shots help and you're able to get back to doing all the things you love soon.

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  3. Pacific Coast is so lovely, isn't it? By the way, I was born in Inglewood. But, I don't remember, probably moved before I had memories. What fantastic photos. Glad you are able to use that nice camera. I have one but just don't seem to take the time to learn it. Maybe, soon. I hope your hand heals fast. I broke my left wrist four years ago. No fun! But blessed with good recovery. Have a great valentine weekend.

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  4. beautiful photos with the 'new to you' camera. It can be trying to learn how to operate them, so give you kuddos for trying to learn with a problem hand to boot. Good luck and hoping you'll recover soon.

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  5. Trust you to always keep busy, Carol, no matter what. Great photos!
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. It is amazing what you can do with your other hand when needed. I learned to used my left hand when my right arm was broken and in a cast for 9-11 weeks.

    I hope your hand will soon be much better and usable.

    Congrats on the new camera.

    Your photos are always great no matter what camera you are using.

    Thanks for sharing the loveliness around you.

    Happy Valentine's day weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  7. My friend, I am glad that you are a persevering soul. NOTHING CAN STOP CAROL! NO! And now with a Rebel in your hands, who knows what you'll create! I have a Rebel Tsi. LOOK on your settings, and look for RAW. That setting will give you the clearest and best shots ever. The files are large and once you open them up (into Photoshop), you can reduce the size. But this setting is changing my photos.

    Enjoy walking along the beach. Never stop. Your hand will heal, as my husband's knee has been pain free now for about 3 months thanks to the cortizon!

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  8. I hope your hand heals very quickly, Carol. In the meantime, enjoy that camera! Fun!

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  9. Nice photos! I'm glad you have something you can do/learn while you're healing. Take it easy!!!!!

    xoxox

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  10. Great news that the shot seemed to help your hand and if you were out on the water again that's a good sign. Excited for you with your new camera, maybe you could watch some videos on how to work it while letting your hand rest.

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  11. Carol, I have a camera like that except there's no "I" after the 3. I still have not figured this thing out. I do need the zoom lens with this. You have taken some great pictures . I am glad you are feeling better. You certainly live in a beautiful area. I enjoyed a nice meal at the Santa Monica pier in 2009...Wish I could come back. Blessings to you and your sweet Steve for Valentines. xoxo,Susie

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  12. I hope your hand continues to improve. I think the main thing is rest.....
    It looks like you're having fun with the new camera!

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  13. Gorgeous photos. The Rebel is a great camera and you will enjoy using it for sure. I hope the healing continues and no surgery!!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  14. It sounds like you have found plenty to do. With that new to you camera, you have lots to focus on (no pun intended.) If I can find your email I will send you something on the blurred background (and more).

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  15. Creativity will find an outlet, no matter what. Gorgeous photos of large landscapes and small details.

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  16. Is it the hand you had the carpal tendon surgery on? Yikes! I really hope the cortisol continues to work for you ~
    Great shots!!

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  17. Hi Carol, I am so happy to see that you are not letting your pain keep you from enjoying life. Oh my goodness! When I saw that photo of the seal in the water, I first thought it was a shark! Have you ever seen any while kayaking? Love you photos . . . especially the buoys hanging on the fence. So sweet of your son to give you his camera.
    Here's to a speedy recovery.
    Connie :)

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  18. Glad to know the pain is less. The new camera should keep you busy having both fun and a bit of a challenge. I'd love a big girl camera like this. One day perhaps!
    Take care and have a splendid Valentine Weekend.

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  19. Carol,
    Can't wait to see more of your photography captured with the Rebel, gifted from your sweet son. You capture magic in your photos, loved the beach pics. It's all of 19 degrees in Philly today so kayaking sounds divine. Keep healing and enjoy the beauty you discover all around you.
    Enjoy your Valentine's Day wirh Steve.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  20. I swear I wish I had your energy....glad your hand is sounding like it is better. I wish I could head out and see some seals but i'm seeing raccoons and possums instead...not as cute. I did find a possum drowned dead in our pond..that was pretty exciting. One less rat I always say. Congrats on your new camera and is taking some pretty photos.

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  21. You're doing pretty good with your new camera. What kind of lens do you have?

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  22. Well, reading this is just too funny. First of all, I wish you quick mending of your hand. Now, back to the funny part.... I bought the same exact camera and have been meaning to educate myself on achieving the same blurry effects (which is called bokeh), but have yet to take the camera out of the box. I'm still using my twelve year old "dummy" camera; lame, isn't it? Anyway, I will be tooling around the PCH mid March during a visit to see my daughter and her husband who live in Pacific Palisades. I have handmade greeting cards that are sold at Malibu Colony and just received a new order from Co-op 28 in LA. I absolutely love that area and can't wait to fly out there. By the way, I love your photography; the captures of your home and everything else you visually record is what makes your blog such a treat to visit for me.

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  23. The pictures of the highway and beach are fantastic. I'm glad you are able to do some things with your hand. Hopefully it will continue to get better.Can't help with camera issues-I don't know anything except point and shoot. Happy Valentines Day!

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  24. Carol, I Love your photos. I wish I had a nice camera like that....love the look (focus in foreground and fuzzy background).

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  25. Well, I hope the shot is a sure cure for you, Carol. At least playing with the camera will keep you occupied and distracted in a good way. The pictures look great. I love the long shot through the open door. That coastal highway is beautiful. Mr. P. & I traveled part of that highway in 2008 - a great trip. We explored San Francisco, then Rt 1 and 101 (stayed in Pacific Grove a few days), then flew out of LA.
    Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your hubby. Kayaking sounds wonderful, but we had whitecaps on a bitterly cold and windy winter day today on our river. ♪♫ California dreamin'.....♫♪
    Rita

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  26. I'm glad your hand is feeling better with the shots, but I know it must be hard for you to not be able to sew since that is something you love to do. How cool that your son gave you that nice camera! My son gave me one of his Canon cameras a couple of years ago, too and ummm...let's put it this way. I haven't been as ambitious as you with it. ;-) I can shoot in automatic mode, but not manual. I recently ordered a highly recommended photography book - Art of Everyday Photography by Susan Tuttle. Don't know if that would be of interest to you, but you can look it up on amazon. In the meantime, enjoy your walks on the beach and kayaking!

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  27. Your photos are wonderful...I would dearly love a camera like that someday...
    Hoping full recovery for the hand is soon.....

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  28. I feel like I've been on a little vacation after looking at your beautiful, sea-inspired photos! Wow - your son's view is amazing!

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  29. Oh Carol, your pictures are stunning. I love to drive along the coast and see the beautiful ocean.
    How wonderful that your son gifted you that amazing camera.
    You are a terrific photographer and should show some of your pictures.
    Hope your hand gets better soon - take care.
    Happy Valentine's Day.
    Mary

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  30. Carol, hoping you heal quickly! Sounds like you enjoyed your week with a new camera to learn about! Beautiful vies! Happy Valentine's Day Pam @ Everyday Living

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  31. Glad your hand is feeling some better. Great score on the camera! Your pictures were already awesome but now they're going to be over the top. Are you shooting in automatic for now?

    Mary

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  32. Good Afternoon Carol, I am so pleased that you are able to get out and about enjoying your new camera. Funnily enough I received a new camera for Christmas, but I am feeling a little in awe of it, so I am still using my little camera... I really must take a leaf out of your book and get to grips with my new camera, as I want to learn how to blur the background aswell.
    Carol, you really do live in a beautiful part of the world. To see such blue sky and calm blue sea is such a pleasure.
    Continue to take care of yourself and get well soon.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  33. You've taken some lovely photos with your new camera. That particular section of the 101 that goes along the coast between Ventura and Santa Barbara is one of my favorite drives. I hope your hand heals soon. Happy Valentines Day!

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  34. Wow, lovely pictures from a lovely place! Always so nice visiting you and your beautiful blog...
    Happy Valentine´s Day!
    Titti

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  35. Great photos. Hope you feel much better soon.

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  36. Wishing you a speedy recovery with your hand while you are learning how to use your new camera. I think you are learning pretty fast, great photos!
    Hope you enjoyed a lovely Valentine's Day…….

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  37. So frustrating to not have use of your dominant hand but you can't keep a creative person down, as you are proving! Great pictures for just getting a new camera. Hope you heal fully soon!

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  38. Awesome photos! Hope that hand is doing better soon.
    Looks like you're learning your camera pretty good

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  39. Love that dried rose shot AND the thought of seals playing around as you are out on the water! :)

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  40. That camera takes great pictures! I have a decent Nikon camera myself and still haven't mastered everything on it after having it a year. Ha! Glad to hear that your hand is feeling a bit better now. I've heard that those shots can really help but the shot itself is painful. I get bursitis every now and then and my doctor offers me a shot. I always refuse because I hate shots!

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  41. Looks like you are having fun with the new to you camera. I had a Canon. I liked it. Hubby bought me a Nikon for Christmas but I just haven't had much to try it out on yet. Our winters are just so drab and gray.

    Hope your hand is better soon.

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  42. Hi Carol,
    Your photos are beautiful!
    Loved your beach and water photos, makes me wish for summer!
    Take care of your hand and hopefully the cortisone will help!
    Kimberley

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  43. Hazy background or not, the pictures are wonderful. I can't believe the view from the home, wonderful!

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  44. So I guess I can't send you my papers to grade??

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  45. Your photos are beautiful. I hope your hand continues to cooperate!
    Eilis@MyHeartLivesHere

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  46. Those photos are absolutely amazing. I love the sunset ones in particular.

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  47. Beautiful photos!! Stunning!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  48. We have the same camera! I have been longing for one ever since I started to blog and Hubby gifted me with one for Christmas. I am still getting used to it. I will have to get my son over to show me some tricks. He has a very expensive camera so he should be able to give me a few tips. He is heavy into wildlife and I would like to get into that too, with my camera. Hope your hand begins to function better for you soon.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  49. Oh, I meant to mention what a beautiful area your son lives in! What stunning photos one could take of the ocean and surroundings!

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  50. Absolutely gorgeous photos!! Hope your hand feels better soon - that's tough!

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  51. I love looking at all of your photos on IG and these are great! I love the beach and water scenes as I wish I was there. It's so cold here in the Northeast. Have a nice week.
    Julie

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  52. Oh my! I believe I need a new camera! Your photos are fantastic and I'm totally loving the seashell photo!

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  53. Oh my! I believe I need a new camera! Your photos are fantastic and I'm totally loving the seashell photo!

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  54. WOWWWW
    These are beautiful photos!!
    I'm glad your hand is better, and thank you for letting us share your fun by sharing these photos

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