NEW URL

I'm no longer updating at this site.

NEW URL: http://anovicephotographer.wordpress.com/

Floral Heaven

It's so nice that my parents and their neighbours are avid gardeners.

Geranium

Mom tells me this is likely a Martha Washington Geranium. I wouldn't know, but I love the photo. Just thought I'd share.

PhotoFriday Challenge: Spiral

This weeks PhotoFriday Challenge is Spiral. Here's my entry.

More Thoughts On 365 Days

Well, Week Two of my 365 Days project is completed.

I was going to try to restrict myself to just one photo, but after giving it some thought I've changed my mind on that. I'd like to develop my ability to create photographic storyboards.

I've also decided that adding a sentence or two is not going to take the focus off the photography, so I'm going to ease up on that rule. I'd like to be able to look back on this blog and have a reminder of the significance of my photo choices.

I think, in general, that the less rules I have and the more creativity I allow myself within the one-a-day structure the more likely I am to continue to enjoy this project.

So far, I've had a great deal of fun with it, and can already see a more creative bent to my work.

Stepping On Rainbows

I'm very proud of this photo. I didn't just see a composition, I saw the potential for a composition and created it. This is, for me, a real sign that I'm moving beyond merely taking the photo to actually making the photo.

I think the 365 Days Project I'm working on is already stretching me as a photographer. I feel the need to capture more than just a pretty picture of a flower or a sunset; I feel the need to capture the essence of the day, or at least of a moment in the day.

As a matter of fact I'm having difficulty choosing which pictures to put up because I usually have more than one that I feel encapsulates my day. I'm struggling between allowing myself to post more than one if I feel like it, and continuing to restrict myself to just one as a way to force my self into more clarity.

I stopped writing little blurbs to explain the photo as well. I feel that the photo should do most of the talking, and that, as a writer, I should be able to use a short caption to further enhance the message. So that's what I'm doing.

Ultimately I may change the rules, if I feel changing them will benefit me in the long term.

I'm really intrigued to see where this will all take me, creatively.

My First Telephoto Lens...

Woohoo, I just purchased my first lens. A Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro.

My co-workers gave me a gift certificate as a going away gift so that I could start my lens collection, and I'm pretty happy with the choice I made.

I've been reading up on the pros and cons of zoom lens over prime, and while I do see the advantages of primes I feel that for practicality I'll go with zoom options for now. I just don't have the money to invest in primes, nor the knowledge to utilize them effectively. I also lack the ability to cart around large amounts of equipment.

I can already tell that by using primes I'd learn a lot about the technical side of photography, since just switching between my basic kit lens and the new Sigma has clarified a few things for me about SLR photography.

This purchase comes at a great time. I'm just starting to explore candid street photography and having a telephoto allows me to remain less conspicuous while capturing my subject.

I also can't get over how much I feel like a true photographer walking around with that long lens and its companion lens-hood. It looks so impressive; I even found people pausing to let me take photos, as opposed to walking right into my frame. I suppose a serious SLR camera just gets a little more respect!

I can handle that.

I'm eager to take it out for a third run. I bought it Saturday and have already taken it out twice. I've taken close to a thousand photos already!

Enjoy these two captures...courtesy of my new Sigma. The first is not the best technical photo by any means, but it shows a growing ability to capture mood and movement, something I'm now working on. The crystal ball is one my favourite photos. It displays an increased eye for detail, I wouldn't have noticed the reflection in the ball 6 months ago.

::grin::

The Grateful Five...

Today (and everyday) I'm grateful that I was blessed with:

~ a working and creative brain

~ an abundant sense of humour

~ a positive outlook on life that has stood the ravages of time and life

~ a tolerant, open-minded nature

And most of all, people in my life who appreciate those things.

What are you grateful for?

Options...

Well, I have a job interview on Thursday. The optometrist who's looking to train someone as a visual therapist has talked me into going out to talk to her.

The money seems reasonable, the job interesting. I have no doubt I'd be good at it, with all my experience with special needs kids and their families. Part of me likes the idea of working for at least another year; financially, anyway.

I could put more money aside, even take a photography course in the meantime.

My math test results stand for 5 years before I’d be required to write that again. I could probably take the necessary communications courses online as well, so when I did eventually go back for an optician degree I'd have less of a course load and could maybe even continue working part-time as a visual therapist. I don’t think they’re offered as online/distance education by Douglas College at this time, but I believe one can take those kinds of general courses through any college and transfer the credits.

I’d have a year in the field to be sure that I actually do want to become an optician before investing all that time and money, and it would be a definite benefit to have this experience when the time came to take the course.

It all sounds very practical.

However, part of me is extremely fired up about the idea of going back to college. I really love learning, and the whole school experience. I want to walk the campus with my books in hand and feel the energy rush of being surrounded by people who are excited about their future. People who still believe they can achieve their dreams.

In the day to day work grind so many of us lose that enthusiasm and become jaded and lazy. We stop believing in dreams; stop making goals for our selves. Trust me, I see glimmers of it in myself, and that’s how I know my time to move on is long overdue.

I don’t know what the future will hold, and the job interview may prove to be a dead end…but it’s nice to know there are options. I was certainly having my moments of doubt over the last two years.

Stay Tuned!

Dragonfly

 

 

Captured this little lovely with the non-DSLR camera we have here at work. Sadly, my cherished Canon was at home. This needs to be a lesson to me. No matter how sure I may be that I'll not be needing my camera, it should still be with me at all times.

I was able to salvage a couple of interesting images to play with, but had I had my own camera there would have been some very great shots. The little predator stayed happily on the wall for guite a long time.

Ah well, better these shots than nothing.

Lesson learned, I hope!