new camera, who's this?

I have received a camera. It's an Olympus PEN E-PL1s, a second-hand mirrorless camera that can shoot videos and photos at the same time. The reason I wanted to have a camera like this is that I can also use this in Videography in Multimedia, so it's basically two-birds with one stone. That is not only the reason though, I do want to take photography and videography with an actual camera, I wanted to challenge myself out of the convenience of a mobile phone for a change. And I so did with this camera.

I do have some difficulties handling the digital camera since there wasn't any instruction manual included (downloaded a PDF online) and I have to learn a bit about how to use it. The learning curve is very clear for someone who doesn't have any experience in using a digital camera. I got myself confused with these abbreviated words I have my phone in my left hand searching for what it means and the camera on my right, fiddling with each button like a lost bird. But I am careful though, keeping in mind how each setting works and capture-testing if it was the right or the wrong one.

But after a while of learning, I made some decent images using the aperture priority mode since I had read in the manual that they are preferable in blurred backgrounds. I did learn the hard way that manual mode is much more difficult to use for first-timers, which made images turn very dark despite increasing the ISO to 1600 and the exposure high. It is still enjoyable despite the confusion on the tech side, I would photograph more if it weren't that inconsistently cloudy and dark in our area.

I would show the actual photos straight from the camera but the port requires a different kind of USB and not the usual and universal type. I don't have a card reader available on me so I have to order one online. The photos below are some test captures with some adjustments I made. Both were taken at around 14:00 - 15:00. It might appear too bright due to being taken using my mobile phone. I applied the rule of thirds and depth of field, the aperture of these was set on 6.3.

What's next?

Apart from the newly acquired camera, I am quite excited and nervous about the upcoming assignments and bonus activities. I could not wait to use the camera in future assignments as well as having fun taking photos of certain subjects and applying what I have learned so far. I would try and carry the camera if I have an opportunity to go somewhere different or somewhere that takes interest in my eyes. For now, I'm practicing around my home or with my figures, playing around with the camera and its settings.

On the topic of bonus activities, thinking about the game photography also emits the two feelings. It's exciting because I wanted to show a game that has beautiful landscapes. I have two games in mind though but I am still battling the decision of which game it should be. I have already some screenshots for each game as a practice round but I'm in the process of filling up the details. The reason it's also nerve-wracking is because what if my images turn out not so great? What if I failed to capture the vast landscape of the game? And the worst of it all, what if the game crashed in the middle of the photography session? (Not really the worst but it is still scary to think about.)

I have experience with game photography before. Infinity Nikki is the game I mostly do virtual photography because they offer so much for camera settings as well as character poses. I did hear some people say that the game is not only dress-up but also photography because the locations in the game have so many photo opportunities. But this isn't the game that will be in for the bonus activity. The game's name is a secret because I haven't decided yet! 

The last image might look like from a cutscene but I assure you it's not! I did force perspective as well as changed Nikki's pose to make it look like she's about to touch the magical ball.