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+date = 2021-04-28
+title = "Jumping Back Into Photography"
+description = "After a long respite, I have returned to my hobby of photography with a brand-new camera."
+draft = false
++++
+
+## Why Photography?
+
+I've often wondered why photography is as enticing as it is. You can see
+billions of people around the world taking photographs every single moment of
+the day. New technology often boasts about their photographic capabilities,
+especially smartphones. I would even assume that we live in a world where there
+is never a moment in which a photograph is not being taken somewhere on Earth.
+
+As for myself, I would simply say that I enjoy preserving a memory in physical
+(or digital) form. I've never had the best memory when it comes to recalling
+details of places and people gone by, so it helps to have a frame of reference
+lying around.
+
+Regardless of the reason, I think most people would agree that you simply cannot
+have too many hobbies.
+
+## Older Cameras
+
+I started playing around with the idea of photography when my family purchased a
+Fujifilm camera for family-specific events. I don't recall the specific model,
+but I do recall it was a point-and-shoot camera without an interchangeable lens.
+However, it was of great value to someone, like myself, who couldn't afford any
+other camera. I took about 10,000 shots with that camera over a 3-5 year span.
+Most notably, all of my trips to California were documented through this camera.
+
+When possible, I would borrow my sister's camera, which is a Sony SLT-A58. This
+camera was great and allowed for some of my best early shots, especially those
+taken in Utah's and Nevada's parks.
+
+## My Current Kit
+
+I've finally come to a point in my life where I have the disposable income to
+invest in a solid photography kit. I played around with the idea of a lot of
+different cameras, different types, new vs used, etc. Finally, I settled on the
+[Sony α7 III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_%CE%B17_III). This camera is
+mirror-less and uses a full-frame image sensor at 24 megapixels. I don't create
+large prints, and I am mostly focused on preserving memories in high quality for
+the next 5-10 years with this camera, so the specifications here are just
+perfect for me.
+
+For lenses, I decided to buy two lenses that could carry me through most
+situations:
+
+-   [Vario-Tessar T\* FE 24-70 mm F4 ZA OSS](https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/full-frame-e-mount/p/sel2470z)
+-   [Tamron 70-300mm f4.5-6.3 Di III RXD](https://www.tamron-usa.com/product/lenses/a047.html)
+
+In addition, I grabbed a couple
+[HGX Prime 67mm](https://www.promaster.com/Product/6725) protection filters for
+the lenses.
+
+As I delve further into photography and pick up more skills, I will most likely
+go back and grab a lens with a higher f-stop value, such as f/1.8. I toyed with
+the idea of grabbing a 50 mm at `f/1.8`, but decided to keep things in a
+reasonable price range instead.
+
+Finally, I made sure to buy a photography-specific backpack with a rain guard,
+and the zipper on the back panel, to protect the equipment while wearing the
+bag. If you've ever had to haul around a DSLR (or camera of similar heft) in a
+bag that only has a shoulder strap, you'll know the pain it can cause. Putting
+all my equipment in a backpack was an easy decision.