first opublished August 1, 2005, www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal

SINGAPORE — It took me some time before I finally decided to buy digicam. I’ve been a photo hobbyist since 2002, not to mention that I always believed that my photography isn’t just a means of self expression, but also a tool which I can use in my profession as a journalist. My personal mantra: the words are there to explain, the images are there to illustrate. Both should tell a story and tell it well.

But I always preferred film, believing that any serious photographer should learn how to operate a manual SLR first. I have two second hand Nikon manual SLR and an Olympus point-and-shoot film camera. I’m also bit short in cash. At a price of over 1,000 Singapore dollars (or roughly US$600) – it’s beyond my means to buy a digital SLR. Sure, I can always buy second hand, but unless I really know all the technical aspects of what I’m buying, I don’t want to buy a second hand camera (or a computer or household appliances, for that matter).

So yesterday, I went to Mustafa’s and bought my first digicam- the Olympus Stylus 500 – a compact, weatherproof, point-and-shoot digital cam, with optical zoom lens. For 499 Singapore dollars, I think it’s reasonably priced and within my budget.

I bought a digicam because I’m traveling and I’m blogging. Of course, I’ll be bringing my ole trusty Nikon. But how can I update my blog and inform my friends and families about my travels if I’ll be spending most of my time finishing my film; and looking for a photo developer and a scanner?