6 Month Seizure Free Anniversary!!!!!!!

[Shutterbabe]

Hello There,

I shoot with a Canon 5D but have just fallen in love with their mini camera,
the G9- soon to be upgraded to be even more fabulous.

I understand that a new version of the 5D will be available shortly with tons of
new technical goodies.

Are you a photog?

[jgbmartin]

I'm a newbie at photography. My friend is pro and has gotten me into it...still learning, but love it. I got Rebel XTi. It helps to have a hobby to take my mind off things and it good therapy for my injured arm.

[Shutterbabe]

Keep on shooting and experimenting with your visions. Take your camera with you everywhere. See something and then frame your image in an entirely different way. Shoot with slow shutter speeds when you can. But most of all
enjoy the process. The camera can be very healing and is endless in its possibilities.

[ashmstng]

Not to interupt either of your conversations. I have been thinking of buying a camera and a good one. But I have no idea which one and where to start and look for. Which one would you pick and think is the best to have and use? Thanks!

[brain]

I am a big fan of old cameras:
Landcameras, SLR, and TLR.

But for individuals who wants to
take up photography in the more
serious way: I recommend 35 mm
cameras where you can remove
lens and where you can also add
on additional lens (such as filters,
UV, Special Effects, Macros, etc).
In addition, it does pay off to have
a Light Meter and rely on using that
than the light Meter that's built inside
of the camera - especially helpful for
B & W (Black and White) and Studio
Shots - as well as Dusk & Dawn shots.
Then I also recommend a tri-pod with
a what you call, extension shutter lock.

As for Flash - most of them have self-mount
bracket on there, but you can always purchase
an accessory to separate the flash away from
the lens where it can be a hand-held. And here's
one hint: You can always diffuse the strobe flash
by using a silk white hankie or Kleenex over it.
In fact, I have an orange old fashioned toilet
paper for that reason (I no longer have all my
equipment anymore which also includes the
darkroom equipment) - and WHY ORANGE?
Because in daytime - flash comes in handy
in shade, but orange on the strobe (strobes
are naturally blue hued) - actually tones it down.

This helps a lot for extended opening of
lens and you don't touch the camera -
especially for night shots, eclipse, special
effects (like fireworks), dusk and dawn
shots, waterfalls, rivers, etc ...

It does help tremendously to take up
a class or course; or grab some good
books in photography.

Believe it or not - B & W photography is
far more difficult than Color photography,
it's really awesome and a big challenge;
because a lot more is involved, especially
with F-stops and lighting.

Start small first, with the basics and a
simple zoom lens with maybe a polarized
lens that can be used on both the standard
and zoom lens - and learn from there.


Every Photographer has their own personalized
touches and tastes as well as preferences. But
one KEY POINT IN MIND IS - never have your
subject in the DEAD CENTER ... knock it off in
an angle, it's more attractive this way, like you
see a squirrel peering out from a tree, instead
of having the squirrel in the middle, knock him
down to the lower bottom right where the tree
trunk denominates the parallel line upwards,
so that one's eyes will shift the focus elsewhere.
Also pay attention to the BARK of the tree as
well - sharp fine details play important roles, it
doesn't matter if the background is dark or
fading out - since the "SUBJECT" is the Squirrel,
however, you're defining the entire "WORK" with
that photography - not just the Squirrel but also
the tree. You will be surprised how much can be
done. And likewise, learn to shift things around
before you "shoot", even if you have to wait ...
be patient and wait ---> it will pay for itself!

There are many contests you can enter in and WIN!


I am a Professional Photographer, with many awards,
including Gold Award, Outstanding Award, Blue Ribbons,
and much more. Many of my work have been sold, and
I specialize in all fields of photography from the very old
fashioned landcamera (just like the old days) to the
modernized digital.

I do not like digital cameras at all - I loathe them! But
I have one - they're just great for eBay or some online
auctions - that's about it (my own personal opinion here).

Film cameras are better, but as you master the 35 mm,
you can then dare move forward to TLR (Twin Lens
Reflex Camera) which are bigger negatives but more
challenging ---> but produces better images and
photos - tricky to use because of the style and design
they are built.

My all time favorite?

Pentax 35 mm - she was my baby! Bought it new in
1975, and killed her in 1994 ... (well, I wore her to death
actually) and I also had a Canon 35 mm but didn't like
the performance of it (purchased in 1982 or 83). But
in 1995 - I sold out everything, except for the rare
lightbulb for the darkroom.

I did have TLR's and Landcameras - but however, I have
a rare 1st Edition LandCamera (billow) from Polaroid with
all the works, including cold clips (not for sale) which I have
it displayed with the 1940s Radio (both Radio and Camera
work).


I'm interested in hearing what Shutterbabe has to post!

[BuckeyeFan]

Congratulations on the milestone. I recently celebrated a big one as well and hope that each day brings you new freedoms from E.

[Shutterbabe]

I agree with your approach to the fundamentals of photography. I have been a professional for over 20 years, specializing in cultural portraiture, documentary and fine art images. My beginnings are very traditional. Nothing thrilled me more than an old Nikon workhorse of a camera and a Leica rangefinder. Used a Pentax 645 for weddings, landscapes. Loved the darkroom!

Of course, we must change with the times but I resisted digital technology slowly. It was intimidating and I dislike all the computer post production.
Too much time at the screen makes my brain feel vulnerable to seizure.

However, I am embracing the miracles of some of the new camera's and software.

I believe that a serious student of photography should begin at the beginning- and study the masters, learn the Zone System, etc. But as with everything else in this fast moving world, the ones who are getting ahead
in a very competitive industry must be well versed in current trends.

As towards the art of seeing: Isn't this the very best part? To want to make
images, to explore your inner self and others with any trusty camera as your vehicle is a privilege and a joy. I would encourage anyone who has this
passion to find their individual path. There are so many niches out there to
discover.

And you are right, Brain. There are many contests that will fuel the fires of creativity.

As for buying a camera, that takes a lot of homework. The internet has many sites that gives accurate reviews of products. I am a Canon girl
as are many professionals.

Would love to hear more from others!

[brain]

Loved the darkroom!

Did you have your OWN darkroom or did you
go to a rental or a public?

I owned my own darkroom and had my own
equipment - the whole works - Enlarger to
dryer drum. My "sink" was actually the old
washer tub that I had converted it to a split-
tilt, so that when I developed my own film
processing - everything would be on the rack:
Developer, Fix, Wash, etc. And what was so
great was being able to hang up the negs over
head on the fishing line that I used with the old
clothespins overhead, plus the shelf over above
the sink where I could replenish everything and
clean up.

Then when it came to the Enlarger which was
so handy, because I actually had a swivel table,
where I could use my washing machine when I
wasn't using the darkroom and it would be out
of the way. I had this old "antique vault" where I
stored all the photo papers of all sizes that I had
lined in black velvet inside that made it all light
proof (but it wasn't "lock proof" *laughing*). And
on top of it was the dryer drum.

Loved doing litho, septia, and if my developer and
fix wore out - I'd do weird things with it, such as
putting it in the developer for a XX time, then in
the fix for XX seconds and back into the developer
for the remainder, and into the wash, then into the
fix, and etc ... it would come out pretty cool sometimes!

*laughing*

I've done some really weird things with color photography
with enlarger too, and one of them was by mistake, when
I got my cyan and magenta settings crossed which in turn
produced a really weird but awesome pic!

I've done some blunders that came out some wonders!



But I do keep a log of what I do, record keeping is a must
in the darkroom, especially when it comes with developers
and fix, since replenishing and so on - they have a lifespan.

I was called upon by Kodak (Syracuse, NY) and turned them
down; worked for Olan Mills, they ripped me off - went on
with Bryn Alan and they owe me a pay check and I quit. I
went on to be Independent, but in my area there just were
far too many photogs. I had done some professional sports
and I do have some of the photos, as well as some of the
actors / actresses who once resided here, but the problematic
issue was - people wanted photographers CHEAP.

They wanted top-notch work for almost like lower than
minimum wage! That was an insult! I don't have 8 years
of this education plastered on my wall for this type of wage!

Then there's special skills of touching and retouching,
whether by hand via ink to airbrushing. Restoration of
old photos even tin photos, even if they've been badly
damaged by mold, mildew, scratches, etc - was also my
forte. I've restored many, and it's a back-breaking work!
I've often had to ask if there's other photos of the such
said subjects so I could match up to the badly damaged
ones, and many times I have had to use historical books
to align to details. I had a very heavy duty magnifying glass
just for that project, it takes a lot of skill and patience to
work on these things, and it is a very expensive line of
field of work. One has to be eagle-eyed and knowledgeable
for that history, era, and region. It's a lot tougher than
one can imagine! I've often made duplicates, and have
had to scrap some because I didn't like how the first one
came out, and had to start all over again.

But the expression on the people's faces when they see
the old bad damaged photos restored (they get the original
one back) is sufficient, I've lost count of how many tears
ran down their faces when they saw it. They would take it
to a professional Antique Framer so it could be glass mounted
or frame mounted and protected and preserved - so their
family heritage would live on forever. They keep the negatives,
and those negatives are contained in a special type of a
protector unlike those plastic types and with instructions
of how to preserve them. While copies can be made off of
them, but the touch up work, and everything else, would
have to be done by a professional restorer.

[Shutterbabe]

You sound very gifted, Brain. I appreciate your range of talents and knowledge....I was fortunate to be able to use a wonderful darkroom in an academic setting. I worked for publications and had private and corporate clientele. Then I moved To Mexico and became an entirely different approach to photography. Very bare-bones, shooting from the hip style. More intimate with my subjects and other long term projects.

I must add this note: When my seizures began 5 years ago, my work suffered, too. The exhaustion from all the medications, fear and isolation, especially as I was in another country fending for myself. One day after a terrible seizure, I dragged myself out into the streets to photograph a fiesta of cowboys that was a one time event. I pulled myself together somehow even in the aftermath of such a strong jolt to my body. I did some of my best work that day and it was a turning point for me mentally.

God, I love talking photography! Thanks for sharing details of your career with me. You helped me last year with some medical information and it made a difference in my thought process. I admire you!

Namaste.......Jill

[hawke86]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! I hope you remain seizure free.

[Shutterbabe]

It has been a great ride. Thanks for your good wishes.

[tinasmom]

[Shutterbabe]

Laura,

You are so beautiful to me......Thank you for sharing my good news.

Warmest Wishes,
Jill