I’ve always like photography from the time I got my first camera in a raffle in first grade. For my college graduation, I got an Olympus OM77 AF. I thought this camera was awesome. It was one of the first auto-focus SLR cameras. I started taking photographs, not just snap shots. I would experiment with Ilford black & white film with good results. I never got into trying to process my own photos, I leave that stuff to the professionals.
When I started biking, I found that my SLR was too bulky, heavy and cumbersome to take with me on a ride. I got a pocket sized Olympus Stylus Zoom 115. I loved how easy it was to take photos. I could take them while riding my bike and I only need one hand to open/turn on the camera and zoom. It did the rest. I also found it was a great camera to have around with kids as it fit into my purse, and was pretty quick.
I finally entered the digital film world in 2002 with an Olympus Stylus 300 Digital. I thought 3.2 mega pixels was great! A year later, I need 4 megapixels and upgraded to the Olympus Stylus 410 Digital. Two years later, I doubled my resolution to 8 mega pixels to the Olympus Stylus 800 Digital.
Meanwhile, my friend all had digital SLRs and wonderful lenses. Maybe it was lens envy or maybe I felt I wanted to do more with my camera and new I had reached the end of the line with the point and shoots. I had looked at the ultra-zooms but couldn’t get past how big ad bulky they were. After so many years of using my pocket sized point and shot, anything that needed 2 hands was too big.
Then Olympus introduced the E-410, a compact dSLR. I ordered in in June 2007. I stayed on auto for a long time. Then in the fall, I knew it was time to try some of the manual controls. I started hanging out around 2Peas in a Bucket in the Photography forum. I learned quite a lot especially what books to read for beginners. Even though I have had cameras for decades and may not seem a beginner, I felt like a novice when it came to going manual. The photographers at 2peas do POTD, Photo of the Day. Take a photo, post on your blog (or in their gallery) then post a link to the daily thread. You get feedback (mostly praise) and leave comments (mostly praise) for the other POTDrs.
I started January 1, 2008. I tried following the themes that are posted for each week. I noticed that a lot of veterans POTDrs were not on theme and within a few months, I was luckily to be on theme as well. Themes are good especially if they inspire or challenge. Themes are not good if they feel like a chore or work.
POTD has gotten me to try new thing and also to think about photography every day. I may not take a new photo every day, but I post a newly edited photo every day. I have learned to shoot mostly in manual, aperture priority when shooting living things, sports mode when shooting kids. I am having fun making up vignettes to shoot and feel more creative these days. I have learned to process my photos using Lightroom 2.0 and Photoshop CS3. I am learning when to apply a light hand with processing, and when it’s OK to completely alter the image.
I have tried Etsy to sell prints but now you can buy prints at slf photography.
(12.10.09)
