A Camera, Photography Books and Playing the Ebay Game
Sophie has a dream: “I’d love to have a DSLR camera just like yours, Mum. I’d really like to take special photos with blurry backgrounds. I have a bit of money in the bank, but it’s not enough.” She sighs. “Cameras are so expensive.”
I have an idea. It starts with a lot of loose change which we gather from around the house. We count it. It’s an unexpectedly large amount of money. And then…
On Thursday: “Look, Sophie! There’s a second-hand DSLR camera on ebay. It has two lenses and comes with a camera bag.” It looks like a perfect camera for a 13 year old daughter.
“I’ll bid for it on Saturday night,” I promise. “Just don’t let me forget.”
On Saturday morning we set multiple alarms.
That evening…
8:30:00 pm: the alarms beep. There’s exactly an hour until the end of the auction. I open my computer. I sign into ebay. I find the right page. “No bids!” We all grin.
8:35:00 pm: “One bid…” The grins fade.
9:05:00 pm: “Two bids…” The grins disappear altogether.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “I have a plan, and if it doesn’t work, it’s just not meant to be.”
The minutes tick by.
9:25:00 pm: I type in my bid. I hover over the ‘enter’ button. Wait! Wait! Not yet…
9:29:30 pm: Wait!
9:29:35 pm: My heart is racing. My fingers are shaking. But I have nerves of steel. Now? No!
9:29:40 pm: Yes! I click. I’ve joined the battle! Will anyone have time to bid again?
9.29:50 pm: “Mum! Another bid!” Will it beat mine?
9.30:00 pm: Mum! Mum! You won the auction!” We all grin.
“Did you see how I snatched victory in the last 20 seconds?” I do a happy dance.
“I bet they didn’t see you coming, Mum!”
“They must have thought they’d won.”
“Do you think they’re disappointed? It must be awful to be beaten at the last moment.”
I stop jumping up and down. For a few seconds I feel bad. But I didn’t really do anything wrong. I only played the ebay game.
Sophie can’t believe she’s now the proud owner of a DSLR camera. She is still grinning. She feels so fortunate.By Thursday Sophie’s camera will be in her hands. While she’s waiting she’s been reading Tony Northrup’s book, How to Create Stunning Digital Photography.
It’s the best how-to photography book I’ve seen. It contains links to lots of videos produced by the author.
Sophie is looking forward to doing some more challenges from Steve and Carla Sonheim’s book, Creative Photography Lab: 52 Fun Exercises for Developing Self Expression with Your Camera.
And she wants to complete these online Snap Shot Delight Classes.
“Can you do photography as a job?” asks Sophie.
“Oh yes!” I answer.
I can imagine Sophie as a photographer. That is if she doesn’t become a mathematician. Or a website designer. Anything is possible.And dreams can come true. Sophie’s did. All it took was some money she saved, a lot of loose change, and a winning bid for a second-hand camera on ebay.
Do you ever play the ebay game?