Oh, so much to learn, so much to learn…

Santa put a Nikon D80 w/18-135mm lens under my tree yesterday, and I am absolutely thrilled to put it to good use. This is a whole new level for me. I started out with a 2 mega pixel point and shoot in 2001, and after moving up to a 4 and then an 8 mega pixel point and shoot, over the last two years, and having shot nearly 30,000 images… I have decided it was time to get more serious about this little ole hobby of mine. After a day of playing around with the camera and taking a couple of hundred shots, I am in awe of the possibilities. But, I will admit… I have so much to learn.

The shots I put up today are a random selection of shots taken with the new camera since Christmas morning. First up; Construction update from my living room, taken yesterday morning. In this shot you can see the CBS-2 Studios at Block 37 is beginning its rise. I also have the pleasure of watching MoMo (stupid name) and Trump International rise. Not everyday, one gets to see three high-rises grow outside their window, and don’t hate on me, the construction noise is pretty obnoxious at times.

The next shot is of the IBM Plaza as seen from the front of Marina City, 300 N. State Street. From that same location, I took the shot of holiday lights in the bushes. (Yeah, I agree… Nice bokeh.) Then I posted a shot of the less than tasteful signs in the windows at Carson’s. Starting yesterday, they have begun the store-closing sale. From the front of Carson’s, I was captured by the back of the Majestic Theater Building (now the LaSalle Theater and Hampton Inn Hotel). The Majestic Building is the only building of it’s height in the city in which the cornice is on all four sides, including the alley. At the time of completion, it was quite a bit taller than it’s neighbors. Now, you only get a glimpse of the building. The final shot is of my holiday table decor from Christmas Day. I just liked the bold color against the white.

I plan to do another random image post tomorrow, showing more of what I shot with the new toy.