Robbin Huls's Posts
Other uses for my camera
In a slight departure from my normal "all dogs, all the time" posts, I've decided to share with you a few of the other things that I do with my camera and my life. Although, of course, I have to include a current picture of the pups!
Ever since I got my first digital camera, I've used it to document and store information that has absolutely nothing to do with "photography" in the general aesthetic sense. I used to keep a tiny spiral notebook to track information about my pictures: camera settings used, location, SPELLING of locations, etc. Well, the new digital cameras take good care of the picture settings so I no longer have to worry about noting that, and a scrapping friend taught me to document locations (and spellings!) by taking pictures of signs and placards as they relate to the stories in my pictures. I've been using this quite a bit as I do ancestry research. Several of my ancestors were buried in this cemetery and I was able to send my great-great-grandma's German obituary to an online friend for translation.
I use pictures to communicate problems to others via email. From things like the weird growth that puppy Paxton had on his lip (a harmless virus) to the door knob that froze in the latch open position (with the door closed - it was the first time I used a "sawz-all") to the candles that were "burning funny" to the cat toy that Nessie swallowed (the first day she was home with me!) It's so much clearer than trying to explain in words.
I also like to use my digital camera to capture some of the DIY stuff I do around the house. If I'm taking something apart that I can't put back together immediately, a picture is worth more than 1000 words when I return to the project. Especially if one of the cats has decided to re-arrange the parts! It used to be that most of my DIY projects were technically inclined (plumbing, computer, building things) but I've recently begun making herbal preparations and home cleaning products so I'm sure my uses of photography will expand as well. One of my favorite how-tos with pictures is this "Make Your Own Laundry Soap" entry.
Most recently, I learned how to change the brakes on my Jeep. A friend showed me how to do the passenger side, and I did the driver side. As he showed me each step, I took a picture so that I'd remember - not so much for the other side, but for the next time when I would do both sides *gulp* by myself! When we got to the driver side, we found that one of the bolts had been stripped and I had to use a helicoil kit to restore the threads. Partly because I hope to never have to do that again, and partly because my hands were too dirty to touch the camera, I didn't take pictures. I do highly recommend stretching yourself every so often to try something outside your comfort zone. I walked around for days feeling like a kid that just learned how to ride my first two-wheeler - "I did it myself"!
What "non-traditional" uses have you found for your camera?
Nessie & Paxton Christmas Tree
Ever since I got my first digital camera, I've used it to document and store information that has absolutely nothing to do with "photography" in the general aesthetic sense. I used to keep a tiny spiral notebook to track information about my pictures: camera settings used, location, SPELLING of locations, etc. Well, the new digital cameras take good care of the picture settings so I no longer have to worry about noting that, and a scrapping friend taught me to document locations (and spellings!) by taking pictures of signs and placards as they relate to the stories in my pictures. I've been using this quite a bit as I do ancestry research. Several of my ancestors were buried in this cemetery and I was able to send my great-great-grandma's German obituary to an online friend for translation.
I use pictures to communicate problems to others via email. From things like the weird growth that puppy Paxton had on his lip (a harmless virus) to the door knob that froze in the latch open position (with the door closed - it was the first time I used a "sawz-all") to the candles that were "burning funny" to the cat toy that Nessie swallowed (the first day she was home with me!) It's so much clearer than trying to explain in words.
The cat toy (it passed uneventfully), the candles, a broken Roomba, replacing my Palm screen, the sawz-all remains (I wanted to find more things to saw!)
I also like to use my digital camera to capture some of the DIY stuff I do around the house. If I'm taking something apart that I can't put back together immediately, a picture is worth more than 1000 words when I return to the project. Especially if one of the cats has decided to re-arrange the parts! It used to be that most of my DIY projects were technically inclined (plumbing, computer, building things) but I've recently begun making herbal preparations and home cleaning products so I'm sure my uses of photography will expand as well. One of my favorite how-tos with pictures is this "Make Your Own Laundry Soap" entry.
Most recently, I learned how to change the brakes on my Jeep. A friend showed me how to do the passenger side, and I did the driver side. As he showed me each step, I took a picture so that I'd remember - not so much for the other side, but for the next time when I would do both sides *gulp* by myself! When we got to the driver side, we found that one of the bolts had been stripped and I had to use a helicoil kit to restore the threads. Partly because I hope to never have to do that again, and partly because my hands were too dirty to touch the camera, I didn't take pictures. I do highly recommend stretching yourself every so often to try something outside your comfort zone. I walked around for days feeling like a kid that just learned how to ride my first two-wheeler - "I did it myself"!
What "non-traditional" uses have you found for your camera?
