the post in which I discuss politics. briefly.

I've never been one to blog about politics. I'll make an exception today, to announce that if I could, I would (re)elect Jed Bartlet for President.

But, since I'm on the topic of politics, let me opine on Massachusetts Question 1, a ballot initiative to abolish the state income tax. What kind of crack are these people smoking? And could the opponents please add some substance to their website (perhaps the fine folks at MassBudget could give them some talking points*)? And while you're at it, do a little search engine optimization so people could actually FIND the site?

* This is an old link, and the specific figures are out of date, but the principles are still good. If anyone can point me to newer substantive discussion of why to vote no on question 1, please do the linky-link in the comments. I'm hoping that the failure of my google-fu is due to the fact that no sane person would vote for question 1, and therefore there are few sites discussing this in any serious manner. Please let this be the truth.

OK, on to the shiny! happy! fun! part of the post.

I got my graduation present! Thanks for all the good advice about cameras. I got the best one I could afford, and will also invest in some lenses, etc. over time. I've been so busy, I've only just started to figure out how use it. Stay tuned for more photos. {Photos from the camera, that is, not photos of the camera!} Oh, and check out this photography tutorial. It's for food bloggers, but I think would apply well to craft bloggers too.

I want a new camera!

In 10 days, I will be done grad school. I cannot wait!!!

Last night, I hinted to Thom that I would like a new camera as a graduation present. If by hint, you understand this to mean "I told him that I would send him an email with links to the camera he should buy me," then you would be correct.

Right now, I am using a three+ year old Nikon Coolpix E5600 point and shoot camera. I'm ready to play with the big kids, though, and get something with more capability and versatility. I'm thinking a DSLR, or as I still think of them "a big black camera with cool accessories."

So, since you, my fair readers, tend towards the opinionated side (yes, you! ... and you ... you too!), I thought I'd ask what you think of your DSLR camera(s). What camera do you have? What features do you like? What do you find irksome about your model? What do you wish your camera could do that it doesn't do?

I'm not sure exactly what I am looking for in a camera, but here are a few things that I know I want to do with it:

• I want a camera that I can use indoors without a flash.
• When I do use the flash, I want it to recharge quickly. (Right now, it takes my camera 3 seconds to save an image and 5 seconds to recharge the flash, so I miss lots of good photos.)
• I'd like to be able to add a lens that I can use to take decent photos at a distance. Not really far, but maybe 100 meters? (Like, say, taking photos of my swimmers at meets!)
• I want to take candid photos of kids (like this one or this one), so I want to be able to use an auto mode, or have a manual mode that is pretty easy to set up/adjust so that I don't miss the good photos!
  

I'm not afraid to read a manual, or buy a book, or take a class, or ask advice, in order to learn how to get a camera to do what I want it to. That said, I'm not looking to be a super highly technical photographer, so I don't need the fanciest or best possible camera out there.

Really, what do I want to do? I want to learn to take beautiful pictures like Ashley, Maryse, Caro, PumpkinMama, Phoe, Cheryl, Maritza, Adrian, and Tiennie. (And, umm, like lots more of you talented peeps out there. I'd link to all of you, but I do need to return to my paid employment momentarily.) Clearly, these individuals all have an artistic eye, which is the biggest part of their photo-taking ability. But I bet a good camera helps too :)

What cameras should I be looking at? What kind of questions do I need to think about? What features will I want?

Opinions, please. Bring it.
(And, umm, if you have other friends who like to take photos with their DSLRs, send 'em this way to share their thoughts!)