Well, I'm not a bad photographer or so I am told. I may be a novice at film, but I'm pretty good with my Fuji...LOL
My Dad has a buddy who was a well-regarded pro for years, both in the Navy and out, and who even now that he's retired still spends most of his time behind a camera. He lives about 3000 miles away or I'd be following him around picking his brains....He has seen some of my stuff and encouraged me to pursue it seriously. He thinks I have an artist's eye apparently. I guess. I actually went to school to do illustration and graphics, but alas, that car accident I was in pretty much killed what ability I had to draw. I just can't use my r hand that way at all now. I got my first digital when I was first recovering, and that's pretty much all I did until I could walk properly again. Take pictures....I had to do something. Not being able to draw was driving me nuts! I was surprised actually by some of the stuff I was getting, but I didn't think I was any better than the average amateur until Joe took a curious look, went "Oh!" and then promptly went out and bought me a much better camera. They guy spent some serious money so I have to think it must have been worth it in his eyes somehow. He's not wealthy enough to just indulge someone out of pity that's for sure... Anyhow, about a year ago I donated that one then replaced that camera with the Fuji s7000. I figured it was about as close to a pro set up as I was going to get. I really had to save my pennies to get it, but I feel it was worth it and then some. I'm slowly teaching myself the basics of both digital and traditional photography, getting the hang of f-stops and iso settings, film types, media types, types of lenses, etc. So far it's been a real joy. I've never felt more at home than I do behind a camera. Since I already have a lot of the digital imaging skills, it's made it easier for me on the non-traditonal end, but the other end, that I feel I have to get into some formal training on...I guess I just want to do it right...I can teach myself a lot. I have that capacity, but I know there are things I am still likely not to learn elsewhere so... I just have this feeling sometimes that I'm being given all the tools I need to do something. I've been in a couple of situations now where I came thisclose to losing it, and I am also dealing with some chronic illnesses that make it a living hell, and yet, I'm still here. I keep wondering why, because for the most part my life doesn't seem to have any real purpose. I guess I tend not to take anything for granted and when everytime I turn around someone is giving me a camera, or another piece of equipment that I need, it seems a little too coincidental. I think the angels are helping me out, you know? I mean just last week I was asking Joe via email what lenses he thought I'd need to have a good starter set, and he told me, and now I pretty much have them and I spent $20? I checked Ebay and if I had tried to go and get cameras and lenses like these, I'd have spent $600 at least, even now with all the digital mania... I don't know., but whatever is happening? I am going with it, For once in my life I am genuinely enjoying what I am doing.
