Though I’ve been falling in love with photography for most of my life, it wasn’t until the digital revolution that I was able develop the skills I needed to capture the shots I wanted. As my mother was quick to point out, film costs money.
First Camera
Growing up in rural Ohio, I remember my first camera. It was a hand-me-down Kodak Instamatic, the box style. I remember how it felt in my hand, the weight of it, and how excited I was to spend my summer with a project. It had been my mother’s camera for years. It was only mine courtesy of a trade up on her part to the slim style pocket Kodaks that became popular in the mid-70s.
My mother purchased me a few rolls of black and white film, because it was cheaper than color. Right away, I set out on photo safaris in our backyard. I caught fire immediately, spending much of my days hunting down shots of birds and insects or just posing my younger brother for “professional” style portraits. I was falling in love with photography.
Oh, I remember the excitement of dropping off the film to be developed and the agonizing wait until it was time to pick up the prints. It was thrilling to rip open the envelope to find out what you caught on film!
In short order, my mother grew a little weary of my new found hobby, detailing to me the cost of film and developing. She was also keen to remind me that each roll shot meant two trips to town, one to drop off and one to pickup, an easy 30 minute ride from home. She instructed me to take fewer pictures and consider taking only pictures of important things. (In looking back at pictures from my childhood, I noticed her propensity to cut people off at the ankles. I think that feet were not, to my mother, “important things.”)
Digital Revolution
Though I had other cameras through the years (Kodak disc, anyone?), I never really got excited about photography until my husband purchased me my first digital camera, an Olympus c5050. Skeptical at first, I quickly found the joy of being able to take a picture of anything that caught my interest. There were no concerns of film costs or lengthy development waits. How exciting to be able to take a picture and get immediate feedback on your efforts!
I loved that little camera! Learning everything I could about photography consumed my idle hours. I studied the works of other photographers and discovered what I did and didn’t like. I learned about shutter speed and depth of field.
Eventually I graduated to my first dSLR, a Canon 20d. Making the switch allowed me an additional level of control over my pictures. Through trial and error I learned to shoot in manual mode.
Evolving Style
Over the years my interests and the things I photograph have changed as my life has changed. I started shooting mostly nature shots, then progressed to photographing my then small children. As they grew, I moved on to sports photography, and now have come full circle. I focus on mostly nature photography and shots for this blog.
Now I shoot with a Canon 70d most of the time. It suits me and I don’t really have a need to upgrade right now. Sometimes, out of convenience, I shoot with my phone. It’s not really about the equipment. It’s about the joy you get in taking the picture and how you feel about the finished product.
Learning Together
In short order I will be producing some content to help you make the most of your photography. I’ll have some brief lessons on camera settings and tips for getting the best pictures. We’ll explore techniques for different types of photography, and I’ll share some great ideas for shooting with your phone.
Everyone needs a creative outlet and mine is photography. My hope is to help you learn to love photography and to provide the tools to make it easier and more fun. I love exploring Ohio with my camera. While you’re waiting on those first lessons, click over to Ohio Photography to see some of my favorite shots of the Buckeye State. I hope that you too will soon be falling in love with photography.
