The Obsession

Outdoor Photography is a passion,

an obsession at times,

that leads you down paths that most will never know.

 

 

 

What is it about photography that draws us in? Why do we see life one frame at a time and look to the light for our answers? Is it something within us or something learned? Is our creativity really ours? Well I am hear to say I have none of these answers for you!!!

 

Colton 2004 ~ Pentax Zx30 w/ 35-80mm lens

Here is what I do know. As a child I used to like to draw a lot but not paint. With the exception of a few polaroid pictures in my teen years, I really had no desire to pick up a camera. Life was hunting, football, friends, partying and girls... Not always in that order. I was 22 or 23 years old when I bought my first SLR, a Pentax Zx30. I thought I was king S*^t back then taking landscape pictures and pics of my ex wife, who at the time wanted to be a model. I really knew next to nothing, any picture that came out well was either luck or something that just clicked in my head and it was an "ah that worked" moment. Then Christmas of 2006 I got my first DSLR, A Canon Rebel XTi Kit and a 75-300mm. Neat less to say my world turned upside down. I followed that up with Photoshop Elements 6 and set to work. I watch video after video after book after webpage I could find on how to take a good picture. It didn't take long for me to realize that I knew next to nothing about photography, but being the person I am, I spend a lot of time behind the lens or in front of the computer.

 

What most people usually see of me.

My first Wedding. Oh lord what do I say? I was not the "paid" photographer but then again the paid shooter wasn't really a photographer so it kind of worked out. Of course I shot in JEG, Auto everything, but oddly many of the images turned out fair and the bride and groom thanked me profusely for the images that the other gal did not get. My first thought was COOL I can do weddings now... um no!!! I shot one of my buddies weddings as the paid photographer and while it turned out quite nice I also realized that weddings were not my favorite and after a mentor of mine had a horrible experience and ultimately gave up photography as a whole, I decided to be very selective until I felt that I had learned enough to not mess up someone's special day.

 

It has been a wild ride since then and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every dang second of it. These days I shoot Nikon. I still feel the need to research new techniques, new gear, and of course now places to explore. I would not call myself a wildlife photographer exactly but then again I find it hard to point to any one genre that I am specific to. I enjoy wildlife, nature, landscape, portraiture, etc., but the one thing I can say is that I enjoy it better outdoors so I classify myself as an outdoor photographer.

 

All of the years I have spent learning and shooting there are days, like today, that I come home disappointed in the shots I took. The difference is that I now know what to do to correct the errors I have made and to look at what I am shooting from a fresh perspective. Every day is still a learning experience but for me that is part of what I enjoy about photography. The one thing I can not stress enough is that no one should ever be afraid to experiment with their photography. Know what the "rules" are but don't be afraid to break them.

 

So is photography an obsession? Quite possibly. Is it learned or from with in? I think a bit of both for me. I like the technical aspects, the thrill of capturing that perfect shot, and yes even the editing. While photography may not pick everyone, but for those with the bug, the shutterbug, it can be a life altering hobby or career that you will carry with you forever.