Archive for the 'Hobbies' Category

April 12th, 2017

Compact camera tips

As much as I love my DSLR, I know that DSLRs are not for everyone. They’re expensive, have a steep learning curve, and can be a burden to carry around. I’m sure other DSLR owners out there can sympathize with me when I say that I don’t always want to carry it with me. Sometimes I just want to use my compact camera or phone!

Not to mention, people often worry too much about gear, and they forget that there’s more to photography. Yes, DSLRs can take high quality photos, but they don’t guarantee a good photo. A lot of it still comes down to the skill of the photographer, and you can definitely take good photos without them. This is why I dedicate this entry to tips on getting good photos with a compact camera!

(All photos in this entry were taken with a compact camera!)

Lighting

I actually love flash photography on my DSLR, but that’s because the flash is separate and flexible. I can place it away from the camera and use different techniques to diffuse it. This isn’t the case with most compact cameras. The flash is stuck in one place without many options to diffuse the light. You end up with a harsh light pointed directly at your subject. Of course, you should use your flash if you can’t get a clean shot without it, but if you have a choice, I’d avoid it.

Taken indoors with lighting from the window

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10 · Posted in Hobbies, Photography, Photography, Tips / Recommends
March 26th, 2017

Life as a gaming couple

Lately, my husband and I have both been playing Breath of the Wild, which is really nice because we can talk about it with each other and share tips and hints. The downside is that we’re currently sharing the Switch and have to plan when I get to play and when he gets to play. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of being a gaming couple!

Pro: Co-op partners for life
In addition to being able to talk about games with each other, we always have someone to play co-op games with! It’s great since we’re sitting next to each other, and we don’t have to worry about using a headset or typing to chat. It also guarantees that we’re always playing with a competent co-op partner. We don’t have to deal with the frustration of finding someone random online. Playing a good co-op game together is one of our favorite ways to spend time together!

Con: Having to plan our games around each other
This is what we’re doing now with the Switch. We have to plan when each of us gets a turn, and we have to do this whenever we play any console game. With PC, we’ll both buy a copy, so we don’t have to share, but it’s not very reasonable to buy two of every console. Most of the time, we plan our games so we aren’t on the same console and have to switch discs. For example, if I know he’s using the PS3, I’ll play a PC game or use a different console. (We also have to split up our consoles on different TVs, so they can be played at the same time.)

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17 · Posted in Gaming, Hobbies
March 7th, 2017

Cosplay Organization

One of my fears has come true. I did a cosplay photoshoot and forgot a piece of my cosplay. Fortunately, it’s a very minor piece, and I honestly didn’t notice it was missing from the photos until 2 months later. I forgot to wear my blue choker in my Pokemon Go Trainer photos.

Though it’s not a big deal this time around, it is something I am always worried about when wearing cosplay. Every time I go to an out-of-town convention, I start having “did-I-forget-anything” paranoia. Forgetting a cosplay piece is not the same as forgetting something in a normal trip. I mean, if you forget your toothbrush, you can buy another one. You can’t just go out and buy a missing cosplay piece, especially one that you’ve custom-made.

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19 · Posted in Cosplay, Hobbies
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