Photography

"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it."  ~Author Unknown

One entry on my list of things to do this year is photography.  I took my first "real" picture at 16 with a borrowed SLR and a crash course in exposure.  I was so proud when everyone gushed over how good the pictures were.  Of course, I look at those pictures now and find all the flaws, but they still make me smile.

I got my own SLR at 17 in anticipation of a summer in England and a photography class in the fall.  The camera was damaged about 10 years ago.  I didn't realize how much I missed shooting until I was given a little digital point and shoot about 2 years ago for my birthday.  It is a great little camera but I would constantly get frustrated that I couldn't control the exposure more.  I immediately begain saving for a digital SLR.

Which I finally got earlier this year.  Talk about frustrating.  My old SLR had shutter speed and appeture and the ISO was determined by the speed of film you bought.  The rest was technique. 

This one had so many bells and whistles, I had no idea what they were.  White balance?  Exposure compensation?  Histogram?

Two digital camera classes later, I finally feel like I have an inkling of how it actually works.  I love it.  The second class we had to submit photos for critique.  Oh God.  But I survived, with ego boosting kudos from the instructor.

Landscape:

Still Life:

 Architecture:

We also played with lighting set-ups for portraits and still life which was a lot of fun.  I can't wait to continue taking pictures. 

The only problem right now is...a month of continuous 100+ temps and no end in sight.  Argh!  I hate the heat.  I tried going out once a few weeks ago, as I wrote recently, but I just can't take it.  So I probably won't be out shooting much until at least October.  Maybe I can try some more natural light still lifes...in my apartment where it's nice and cool.