The year is 2010, and it’s Christmas morning. Waking up is a hassle, but I get up anyway, ecstatic to find what’s beneath the Christmas tree. With the family all in the living room, we begin to open up presents. Of course, there’s the usual gifts of clothes, chocolates, and even silverware. Though, one present is quite peculiar, in that it isn’t even wrapped up, although addressed to me. Curious, I take a look inside: a Nikon D5100 and a Sigma 17-70mm. These little marvels, given to me by my loving parents, are my first DSLR and lens.
Even before coming across these wonderful items, I was always interested in photography, usually using the camera on my phone, though. It was only two years ago that I wanted to take it a step further and start shooting with a real camera. Never thought to ask my parents for one, but somehow, they guessed it, and I am both thankful and grateful for them. Nevertheless, quite simply, I am just an amateur photographer, taking pictures for my school’s yearbook, but once in a while, I’ll take a photo, edit it here and there, write a small interpretation of the picture, and then see how others respond to my perspective on life.
Today, taking pictures is a whole lot easier and more automatic than it was back then. Yet, in order to get those photos that demand a second glance – whether you’re having fun with the convenience of a cellphone camera, or discovering the countless capabilities of a digital single-lens reflex – we all have to master the basics: the amount of light coming through the lens at any single moment, how long the light streams in, and the optical properties of the lens that focuses that light. These are all characteristics I still have to learn and practice, but in spite of that, photography is still an endless joy.
Every camera, from a point-and-shoot to the one you just ordered online, is really nothing more than a dark box with a hole on one side and film/sensor on the other. It’s no doubt that the quality of the camera determines the quality of the picture, but it’s entirely up to you when it comes to the outcome of the photo, the composition, the meaning. Why do we take a picture, even if it is just a snapshot of ourselves that will end up on Facebook? Because we have something to say; there’s an emotion and feeling to each photograph we take, and it is for that reason why photography has interested me and been such an appeal. Whether it’s in a magazine, on the Internet, or a photo sent from my relatives, there will always be that one picture in which I can connect with, one that has caught my attention and mesmerized me, to the point where I can almost see the story behind it. This is what I wish to do with my photographs, what I hope to accomplish: to have a picture that gets you thinking, as well as one that you can relate to.
Originally from British Columbia, Canada, the beauty and nature of the Northwest has served as my inspiration and motivation for taking pictures. As you can see, photography and graphic design are both my interests and hobbies, but other activities I am fond of include soccer, chess, and playing the piano. I thank you for taking the time to visit my site and I hope you find my images worth a look. If you do find that in some weeks there are a lack of posts, do note that I am still at an age where homework, projects, and tests are still an issue, but I’ll try to not make that a limitation. And as always, if you do see yourself in one of these pictures and would like to have it taken down for personal reasons, please comment and Iβll be happy to do so.
Jean
What a great present! And, you are good with it too.
Nope, I haven’t mentioned anything but I will now π thanks for the visit to my blog. I wish you all the best with this blog and your plans for life. Have fun! Regards, Mary
I love the Pacific Northwest. Will be following your blog. Thanks for the like on my post.
I thought your photos looked like BC. I miss the West Coast.
Hi…thanks for stopping by!
Nice pictures and blog!:)
You’ve got a great eye for composition and colour, I’m glad that your parent gave you a camera and I look forward to seeing more of your images.
Well put my fellow British Columbian! Glad you stopped by so I could discover your gem of a blog.
Hi there, Thank you very much for stopping on my blog. I found yours is gorgeous! I will come back soon.
Thanks for visiting my Blog! Yours is very interesting with great pictures! I will stay tuned π
Hi Jean, great blog site you’ve got. Really like the interpretations you have for the photo challenges too. Keep up the good work!
It’s such a pleasure visiting your blog. I love your photos! REally amazing! And really lovely folks you have there by the way, that’s very sweet of them. Looks like they know you, too well π
Hi, Jean! Thanks for stopping by and liking so many of my blog posts. It’s especially gratifying for a new blogger here on WordPress. I started my blog with a Nikon D5100 as my main photo tool, accompanied by the occasional cell phone photo. I will enjoy following your blog.
Loved your story! Thanks for stopping by in my blog!
Hi there… glad to connect and interact with you… π
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Best wishes to you.
Hi there!
Thanks for liking my Weekly Photo Challenge on Nostalgia – I bet it was very relevant to you π
Great photos! Thank you π
Thank you for so many likes! You have an amazing blog, love it!
Thanks for liking some of my photos on my blog. You have some beautiful pictures here. I love the NW too. I’ve got some great shots of my travels up there but all before digital. Good luck with school and keep up the good work π
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Love your photos.
DJ
…greetings from Vancouver. It’s always a treat to see the BC landscape…
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I wandered by and stopped to check out your blog. I enjoyed what I have viewed and read so far (gosh, from another BC’er) and expect to be back.
thanks for visiting and “liking” my photo entry this week! You have some fabulous images here!
hello & thank you for visiting my blog!
i still take pictures with “dinky phone” a flip phone – and look forward to stepping (back) into the world of a “real” camera
your photos are lovely
wishing you all good things
Do you think your parents would adopt me?
Thanks for visiting my blog, your likes and your kind comments. I enjoyed your posts too.
Thanks for liking my photo post. I like your photos and hope to see more from you!
thanks for the like of my ‘street life’, Jean. Your pictures are beautiful; I need to take the leap and get a real camera.
Hi Jean! you’ve been away sometime…just checking in to see when you’ll be back? Take care…
Hello Preeti. I know; I have been gone for awhile these past two months or so. School has been quite hectic, considering all the exams we have to put ourselves through. High school can be tiring and stressful for the most part, but it has its moments. Still, I appreciate the concern, and hopefully will get back to posting more photographs soon. Thanks once again!
π
What an excellent gift from your parents! I’ve been to our Pacific North West but someday hope to see BC. You sure make it look beautiful. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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