Canon R5 m2 EF 100-400mm+1.4x 1/2500 sec f/8.0, ISO1000
The missed shot with older 5D m2 1/400 s (too low) EF100-400mm f/5.6,ISO 125
I held onto my Canon 5D Mark II for over a decade. It served me well — for landscapes, the occasional portrait, and some nature shots when I felt lucky. I told myself it was still “good enough.”
Then one day, a missed eagle shot led to a photo blog — though I didn’t know it at the time.
From Missed Shot to Blog Spark
Some friends and I went to Del Valle, a spot we liked for nature walks.
We spotted a bald eagle swooping down to catch a fish. I raised my camera and fired off a few shots — but when I got home, they were soft. Not out of focus, but not sharp either. That moment, which could’ve been unforgettable, turned into regret.
What Made Me Upgrade After That Missed Eagle Moment
At the same time, the Trump-era tariff increases were rumored to drive up the cost of imported cameras. Canon offered a limited-time promotion with trade-in discounts.
I realized it was time. If I didn’t act now, I might miss another eagle — or a swallow — or any of the wild moments I’d started to crave.
A New Camera, and the Birth of a Blog
I picked up the Canon R5 Mark II (Amazon link) — not an affiliate yet, just a grateful user. Here’s what sold me:
- Fast autofocus — because eagles don’t wait
- Pre-shooting mode — so even if I’m a split second late, the camera isn’t
- High resolution — so I could crop without losing detail
- Flip-out screen — handy for self-portraits and tight spots
- Incredible image quality — and Canon color science never disappoints
One Missed Photo, One New Beginning
Soon after, I started posting daily photo journal entries. I used AI to suggest themes — light and shadow, reflections, minimalism. Surprisingly, I stuck with it.
The posts became more than just pictures. They became a rhythm. A narrative.
That’s when the idea struck:
Why not start a full photo blog?
With help from AI and a little research, I bought a domain, picked a host, and built out Shutter to Light. The blog now includes:
- Photo Journal — one photo a day
- Reflections — like this post
- Humor — because some shoots are disasters
- Gear Reviews — because I now have strong opinions (pending)
Checkpoints Along the Way
I haven’t caught another bald eagle — yet. But I did shoot a swallow mid-flight recently. Not perfect, but better.
The Canon R5 Mark II is doing its job. And I’m doing mine: showing up, one frame at a time.
Why a Missed Eagle Shot Led to a Photo Blog
Sometimes, it takes a string of nudges:
- A missed eagle shot
- A tariff threat
- A gear upgrade
- And some tech tools like AI and WordPress
Small sparks, but together they lit something larger.
Shutter to Light exists because I missed one photo and refused to miss the next.
Explore more of my photo journal, or peek at some reflections next.
And if you’re thinking of upgrading — the Canon R5 Mark II is worth a look.