Welcoming Cali #RebelSL1

Last month, I was approached with the opportunity to review the new Canon Rebel SL1 with my family.  We were asked if we had any upcoming events that we could photograph to fully experience the versatility, options, and lightweight aspects of the camera.  “Actually,” I said, “we’re welcoming a new puppy into our family!”  What perfect timing!

Cali came to us from a breeder in California.  No, I didn’t specifically pick California to be fancy – my friend Candace who used to be a mommy blogger but sold her blog to pursue her business full time has had me wanting one of her Moo Cow Labradoodles for a few years now (cute name right?).  We decided to put down a deposit this spring and waited anxiously for our new puppy to arrive.  With my husband and daughter both suffering from dander allergies, a Australian Multigen Labradoodle was a great choice.  Bringing a puppy into a family rather than an older dog was the choice I felt most comfortable with too.  We didn’t tell the kids about the puppy, and instead gave them a shock when we picked up Cali at the airport a few weeks ago (of course I captured it on video!)

Now, back at home, we’re getting adjusted to a family of 5 + puppy!  The first three nights of kennel training were hell (I didn’t realize she was part wolf the way she howled!) but then something clicked and she got it!  Potty training is coming along quite well and the biggest thing we’re working on beyond potty is puppy nibbling.  Hands, little girl’s hair, toes, ponies, Barbies…it’s all fair game to her.

Portrait setting with lovely outdoor lighting (love outdoor lighting!)

The 3 photos above were taken using the Continuous Shooting Mode which gives you a ton of pictures but ensures you get the perfect shot with no blur!

The above 2 shots were taken on Auto!  Yay for Auto producing the perfect shot, colors, and focus!

Moving indoors, I’m not a fan of flash photography at all, but was happy with the way the light was distributed here!

Of course, in my daily life and for this blog I take pictures of more than the dog.  I’ve been working on a lot of food photography over the past few years and I am so excited about the New Scene Modes on the Rebel SL1, specifically Food Scene Mode which sets everything up perfectly to give you the best food-photography shot!  While setting my own ISO on the touch screen is easy, it’s still a bit of a science so having a Scene Mode to do the work for me is perfection!

The above photo was taken this weekend using the Food Scene Mode.  I was really happy with how it turned out, and will definitely be using it every time from now on!

While I haven’t had a substantial amount of time to use the Canon Rebel SL1 thus far, it has been in my hand almost every day since I received it a few weeks ago.  If I’m not taking pictures of the kids doing something silly, or the dog simply being a dog, I’m busy photographing items for this blog and especially focusing on food photography.  Picking up my other DSLR camera is a surprise now – I did not realize how heavy it was until I started using the lightweight Canon Rebel SL1.  I also find the Canon so much easier to handle in the palm of my left hand, while setting up the shoot with my right.

If you don’t have a DSLR camera yet and are looking for one to start with, the Canon Rebel SL1 would be perfect to start with because of all the helpful on-screen information and ease of use.  When everything is set up perfectly for you, like the Scene Modes, you’ll be so much happier with the results and will have more confidence to try different Scene Modes on your own, or maybe venture off Auto (I know, it’s scary, but you can do it!)

If you’re already familiar with DSLR cameras, like me, I’d encourage the Canon Rebel SL1 as a step-up as it was for me.  It’s smaller, more lightweight, and has a ton of features and options that my camera purchased 3 years ago doesn’t have.  I’m quite smitten with my Rebel!  What Feisty girl wouldn’t love a rebel though? 😉

Look for the Canon Revel SL1 at places like Amazon.ca