I Got a New Camera! {Forest Photoshoot}

| Allison

Hello, my friends!

My friend Aria recently sent me her Nikon D7200 camera because she couldn’t sell it and also because she’s amazing. 😀 I haven’t upgraded my camera in five years (see my… interesting first photos with it here), so I was thrilled that Aria kinda forced me to get a new camera. Otherwise I’d probably go on using my old, comfortable Nikon D3400 forever.

Anyway, I tried it out and definitely noticed an improvement in the quality, clarity, and focus of these photos. I’m curious to see if you guys notice too or if it’s just me as the photographer. Let’s find out!

Enjoy these lush photos from a late-summer walk and some Maggie-the-yellow-Lab-cuteness!

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I can’t help but photograph this sunlit patch of foxtails every time I walk this path at golden hour.

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I also can’t help but photograph this spot, where a giant oak tree overshadows the dirt path. I’ve taken versions of this picture so many times!

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This was one of the first photos I noticed the difference in quality on. The plants in the foreground are much more crisply in focus while the background is still lovely and blurred. Ah! Okay, I’m getting a little too excited…

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A humble pokeweed leaf made nearly transparent by the sun from behind. The leaves look like wax paper here.

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Guys, doesn’t this photo look like fall to you with all those warm colors?! I’m looking forward to when the leaves turn and I get to take real autumn pictures!

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Pokeweed is such an interesting plant. The berries even look neat when they’re… not berries.

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This is an ordinary head of grass but LOOK AT THE BOKEH IN THE BACKGROUND! I love that little bit of sparkle it adds at the top left.

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Guys, this is hilarious: I took the photo to capture the way the light illuminated bits of these oak leaves, and then while I was editing the picture I realized there was a fly on the other side of the leaf! Ha. You can see its shadow if you zoom in.

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I love this picture. The light is all warm and glowy and it feels like you’ve climbed up a tree to enjoy a summer evening.

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Look at these cute little flowers I found! The three blooms make such a perfect arrangement. Little stars in the dark. 🙂

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Haha, I accidentally photographed another bug here. Can you spot it? It’s so funny what you miss in-camera and only notice while editing on a larger screen.

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*refrains from shrieking at length about the beautiful bokeh*

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These flowers are almost like thistles without the prickly part.

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Speaking of prickly, though… a bunch of these little guys hitched a ride through the forest on my jeans.

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A quiet little brown moth enjoying these fluffy weeds. I enjoyed them too, until I realized that they must be a thriving habitat for chiggers. I have so many bug bites now…

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Aren’t these lacy little locust leaves lovely? (That was fun. 😀 )

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I’m not sure cameras will ever be able to capture the beauty of looking up in the woods when light is pouring down. I love all the different shapes and sizes of leaves in all the different shades of green. So pretty.

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Guys, look! I found a mushroom! I love finding mushrooms on walks. They’re cute.

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Maggie came with me, of course. She had to test out whether my new camera took even better pictures of her. 😉 I think so! This one feels warm and serene despite the chaos of dead trees and brushy ground.

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I usually have a hard time editing forest photos, but either I suddenly got way better at photography, or this camera works better than my old one, hehe.

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I couldn’t resist adding in a few black and whites. These poor oak leaves are full of holes… but at least that make the photo more interesting! 😉

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I walked through SO MANY SPIDER WEBS. Ugh, isn’t that a terrible feeling? But at least I got a nice picture of how beautiful they can be too.

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We’ll end with a few more pictures of Maggie. We had to take off her collar since it was too tight or something. She looks way younger without it, don’t you think?

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Maggie doesn’t like to make eye-contact with cameras very much. Is it just her, or is that a dog (or animal) thing in general?

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We’ll end with this amusing photo of Maggie’s scratching-herself expression. That smirk always cracks me up.

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There we go! What did you guys think? I hardly noticed any improvement while I was taking the pictures, but I definitely noticed a change when I started sorting and editing the pictures. So I’m happy. Thanks again, Aria, for generously sending me your old camera! I think I’ll enjoy it for many years to come. 🙂

Which photo was your favorite? If you could get any camera (phone, DSLR, or otherwise), what would it be?

Thanks so much for reading, my friends, and have a lovely day!

***Allison***

P. S. Photos taken with my Nikon D7200 and a 50mm lens. Edited with Lightroom.

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80 thoughts on “I Got a New Camera! {Forest Photoshoot}”

  4. Oooo, I LOVE these, Allison!! A Nikon D7200 is an amazing camera, and I know you’ll love it! Aria was so kind to send it. 💕 I love how you took a walk through the woods and paid such attention to the small, beautiful details. Great job, my friend!!
    Oh my goodness, pick a camera?? iPhone 11 Pro and a Canon R6. 😍 Love those!!

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    1. Aww, thanks so much, dear! And she really was. Yes, that’s my favorite kind of photography, probably. 🙂 What camera do you have currently again?
      Hehe, those sound like great choices! I’ve never had a Canon, but I’m too used to Nikon to switch now. XD Do you like Canon?

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  6. If I could get any camera.. I’d love another Polaroid.. something about the terrible processing of an instant camera…I miss those days..or a Pentax K1000 SLR or a more vintage 1960’s Kodak Instamatic with flash cubes

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

              1. Unfortunately no but they are in use at the company I work for. I’m a digital archivist but we still have film and darkroom departments with a smaller base of clients. Film itself is pretty expensive to buy and get developed these days besides.

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  14. Excellent idea….walking through the woods with your pet and camera….a *perfect* day!!!!🤗 LOVE your pics….especially those black/whites….thank you for sharing your love of photography with us!📷🌳 Cheers ~ Valerie, from Vancouver Island….

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