Despite this being my third year doing Secret Santa but didn't know what to expect which is the best part about this. Within a day of the matches being assigned, my gift was shipped and enroute to me. I received it about a week ago although haven't had time to post because #FinalsWeek is killing me. I picked up the package and see it's a medium sized box from Amazon. Upon opening it see it is from a camera seller and begin to freak out.

Side note: despite being a STEM major I really enjoy photography as it has been my go to muse. Because I don't own a 'real' camera so all of my photos have been on smartphones. (don't get me wrong, smartphone cameras have gotten really good but nothing beats the real thing).

After unwrapping the gift from it's quite lovely bag, I'm face to face with a 1980's Nikon film camera and flasher and begin to cry tears or happiness. To be able to call such a beautiful camera mine, no joke, is the highlight to my 2017. And the fact that it is a film one makes it even better. It such a unique aesthetic that you don't see being used on modern day goods. Not only can I take real photos that I can print but learn how to take a good photo. How to balance iso (type of film) shutter speed and aperature will force me to be paitence when taking a shot especially not being to see the photo until developing it. Unlike digital I don't have the luxury of seeing the photo after I take, so I have to trust my timing and ability. Plus using film gives the photos a very unique look.

The very next day I ran to the nearest CVS and bought a three pack of film and have been taking the camera everyone I go and have already filled two of the three rolls of film. I am not sure the word count of this summary but it's not even close to amount of words I can use to describe getting my own camera. Thank thank you Santa for giving me something that I will never forgot. A photo is worth a 1000 words but this gift is indescribable.

EDIT: I will be posting a album of the photos I took. I get the film developed but will update with a link