Okay, I'll admit it: I'm always slow picking up on new toys, especially those of the technical variety. But in the past few days, I've discovered Instagram, a smart phone photography app. Although I loaded it on my phone months ago, I didn't "get it", so I forgot about it. Then a few days ago while working on a photo project, I was inspired to give it another try. A friend who is an Instagram expert emailed the instructions to me and I kept tinkering until I figured it out. I'm far from being an expert but I have started having fun. So has Campbell. She watched what I was doing and wanted to do it, too.
Every day I let Campbell suggest how to fix her hair and this morning she suggested the hair style you see in the Instagram photo here. When I sent it to her mother, I remarked that I didn't know where she comes up with these ideas. Krista said she watches all the high school girls and hair styles on TV and then wants to imitate them. A little scary, huh?
Another fun image that emerged this morning was also suggested by Campbell. She is "babysitting" a childhood Teddy Bear belonging to one of her mother's friends. This morning she thought of half a dozen different "poses" for Teddy Bear. This is my favorite, I call it "Ragtime Teddy".
When I got my smart phone about a year ago, I bought it not for the internet and email access but because it had the best camera phone on the market. A funny thing happened, though. I didn't like the photos I took with the camera phone. I'd try but I always decided I like the photos from my "big" camera better. Of course, you can't, or don't always want to carry your "big" camera and you miss some fun to remember everyday events. Now with the discovery of Instagram, I've found a way to truly have a portable camera for those occasions. Oh, I still like my "big" camera better, but this new-fangled thing just might turn out to be okay.
So I guess the lesson here for me is that I shouldn't be so slow trying new technology and new ideas. I'll admit I get in my comfortable grooves ruts and like to stay there. Happily, spending so much time with a fun, inventive and engaging 4-year old should help me break that bad habit!
Dotti




