Social Butterflies with Emotional Issues - 1

[guppiecat]

About a month ago, I went to the Minnesota Zoo to take photos of butterflies. While it was very cool (and somewhat crowded), I found that when captioning time came around, I couldn't easily identify them. Lucky for me, I have some folks on my FL that might be able to ID them for me. Lucky for you, when I can't be accurate, I can at least be funny (or, try to be).

I give you the first of a set of butterflies with emotional issues. Enjoy.




Staring into the future, worrying not about today, but slowly resigning herself to the inevitability of the end of Summer and the slow torturous death of Winter's kiss.


With a soft flutter of pollen-speckled wings, the dark butterfly of Death descends


Doesn't really like nectar. Just trying to fit in with everyone else.


Managed to get up the nerve to go out. Still too shy to show his face.


Aware of how beautiful she is, but is terrified that others will learn how empty inside. Stays on a flower built for one.


Isn't addicted. Can stop at any time.


Unaware that he is being used for sex, but deep inside, suspects that something is wrong.


Misses being a caterpillar. Can't turn back time.


Can't take care of herself, so looks for something to care for. Desperately wants a puppy.

Comments

[mplsfish.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmm.

[guppiecat]

OK, not exactly the reaction I was going for. Care to elaborate?

[nanassi.livejournal.com]

/threadjack
I'm about to be given a good point and shoot camera from a friend who has grown into better things. He's getting me interested in photography, and is supplying the starter gear. (Nice friend!)
Any suggestions for websites to read, things to take pictures of, that would be good for a newbie?
(Have you already gotten a post together of this sort of information, and I missed it?)
Thanks!
/end threadjack

[guppiecat]

It's going to depend a lot on the camera you get. If you want to get good, you'll need one that allows you to change things. I have a little "snap" camera, which is very small, cheap, and inflexible. Many of my shots simply cannot be made with it, but it's nice to have one with me at all times.

The best advice I can give is to read the manual and understand what the different modes do. Then, pick something you like and take a lot of photos. Like many things, you get better with practice, so get out and practice.

Go to a used book store and get a couple general photography books. Most of them are the same, but I've found that the Kodak books, in particular, are cheap and contain good info. There are also some National Geographic "Field Guides" that are good. Just bear in mind, as you read them, that many of what they talk about (shutter speed, ISO of "film", aperture size) may not exist on your point and shoot.

My favorite websites tend to involve using flash, which can be a bit much for a beginner. However, I suspect that there are some decent learning groups on flickr that might be useful.

Really, just get the gear, read the manuals, and try to shoot every week. When you look at your photos, consider what worked and what didn't. Keep this in mind on your next shoot, and you'll gradually improve.

[nanassi.livejournal.com]

Ok, cool.

(I also didn't mention that the friend had long ago lost the manuals, but he says he will show me the basics.)

Thanks.

[guppiecat]

Manuals can usually be downloaded as PDFs.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

The third one is a Monarch. I don't know about the rest. What's the purple thing they like to eat? I'm thinking lupine, but that's probably wrong.