During this football game, Alex expressed a newfound interest in my photography. Throughout the game, Alex suggested multiple photos for me to take and asked to see them afterwards. He sat right next to me as I packed up my camera bag.
He watched and asked questions as I traded out lenses. I showed him how to face the camera body towards the ground so it doesn't get dust on the image sensor that will show up on the pictures. I showed him how to trade out the caps and how the lens will click into place.
I showed him how to twist the lens to change the zoom. I explained how a longer lens means a longer zoom which means you can get closer from far away. We compared my longest lens to my short portrait lens. This one gets very long as opposed to this one which doesn't zoom at all. I let him twist it to no avail.
Then he stuttered, "Well, where's your medium-est lens?"
: )
I reached into my bag of tricks and pulled out my 18-55mm kit lens. We compared its size to the others, and of course he checked the twist/zoom function.
He made his determination.
Al: Well, I like this big one the best.
me: Yeah, I like it, too. It gets close from far away, and it takes really good pictures.
Al: Okay, take my picture!
He faced me and cheesed while I immediately got my camera up. But since I had my long lens on, his nose basically filled up my whole frame.
me: Alex, honey, you're too close. I can't get it to focus.
He slid back on the bleacher. Just the fact that he slid back on his own so I could try again instead of losing interest made my tummy flip.
Al: Okay, how 'bout now?
J: Boyyyy, that's not even a real smile!
So Alex tried again, a real, genuine smile with just a hint of cheese.
[click]
me [turning the camera around to show him the screen]: Oh my goodness, look how handsome you are!
Al: That IS a good picture!