I've had this passion for cameras ever since the days where my Father and Uncle would line the family up to take snapshots only to have a series of events happen with the flash bulb and something (choice words used here)about getting them out of a freezer They used to buy state of the art Leika's and Minolta's, light meters... you name it they had it And then came Polaroid. Ahhh, the memories of standing outside in the Midwest in January... applying the solution to a Polaroid film and putting it between your armpit! Still had problems with those darn flash bulbs though. Anyway, my passion for taking pictures started with that experience, although my skill at it is like those flash bulbs.
During the film days, I used to own several cameras and played around with special effect filters. I'd burn up several rolls of film just to keep one shot. Stars, mirrors, gradients, rainbows, Hoya filters, Cokin filter sets, gels... you name it I tried it... all to find out I really didn't like special effects

Now comes the digitals... where have they been all my life! Heck of a lot cheaper than buying and developing film... although I did learn a little about the darkroom.

Although my passion for cameras and photography is deep... I'm still learning composition and basic stuff. Never could afford to take classes or go to those seminars so its a learn on my own type of thing.
I don't like studio shots that much, besides it costs a fortune to outfit for it.
My favorite type of photography is portraits and artistic nudes (tastefully done of course). I prefer spontaneous portraits using lighting that is available, maybe with a diffuser attached to my speedlight. I don't like photoshop.. I think a person should get the shot right in the camera. I have used it a few times just to learn, but even so... I think photos should represent a capture in time of a fast moving world to be preserved for all times to see, and should be shown as seen and as taken in the camera, which if done right will be a great shot without editing.
I think I am better at portrait shooting but cooperative models are hard to find.

It's not the camera you use, or the amount of accessories you have with it... it's the way you see the world that makes the shot. I'm still learning how to see.

I have noticed lately that people here on DA don't leave critiques or comments like they used to. I think they should. I see lots of downloads when I or someone else uploads a shot cropped to fit a widescreen monitor and used for a wallpaper. I'd like to see those same people at least leave a comment about what appealed to them the most making them decide to download it...It helps to have some of the small things, some of the big things, and even some HUGE things brought out so that the next shot taken could be taken using that suggestion and see if it makes you see the scene better and ultimately let you take a better picture. I don't know... maybe its just me.
If you read this... comment. Only takes a few minutes.

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