I took a photography course in the 11th Grade in High School, I loved it, we had a darkroom and developed our own photos, yup it was over 45 years ago. No fancy camera just something cheap from a local dept store. We were given time to go out into the local area and take photos of different things, buildings, skylines etc, straight lines I remember was one assignment. We had to use our imagination. Towards the end of the course I talked to the teacher about a career as a photographer and she told me to forget it, there was no money in it but it is a good hobby.
Life went on and about three or four years later I started my career which was to last 38 years. Photography was always on my mind but life, raising a family, putting the kids through university and career all got in the way. Photography was limited to point and shoots most of which I still have.
Retirement came, much quicker than I could have imagined I might add, the interest was still there, I bought a Nikon D7100 and a couple of small lenses and started going out to local conservation areas to practice and learn. Then I pulled the trigger on a Nikon 200-500 and a couple of years later sold the 7100 and bought a D500. By then I had found Steve’s videos and eBooks which were a gamechanger for me. For me it’s all about getting out and looking for things, mostly birds for me, wallhangers are few and far between but they do happen. I love sharing my photos with friends and neighbours more than hanging them on the wall to be honest. Yes, sometimes it’s frustrating standing or walking around for hours with nothing to show and yes I do feel guilty about leaving the wife at home when she doesn’t come along.
I’ve had the same thoughts, ”what the @#$% am I doing out here” after hours of nothing.
Don’t give up, I know if I did sooner or later I would regret it.
Life went on and about three or four years later I started my career which was to last 38 years. Photography was always on my mind but life, raising a family, putting the kids through university and career all got in the way. Photography was limited to point and shoots most of which I still have.
Retirement came, much quicker than I could have imagined I might add, the interest was still there, I bought a Nikon D7100 and a couple of small lenses and started going out to local conservation areas to practice and learn. Then I pulled the trigger on a Nikon 200-500 and a couple of years later sold the 7100 and bought a D500. By then I had found Steve’s videos and eBooks which were a gamechanger for me. For me it’s all about getting out and looking for things, mostly birds for me, wallhangers are few and far between but they do happen. I love sharing my photos with friends and neighbours more than hanging them on the wall to be honest. Yes, sometimes it’s frustrating standing or walking around for hours with nothing to show and yes I do feel guilty about leaving the wife at home when she doesn’t come along.
I’ve had the same thoughts, ”what the @#$% am I doing out here” after hours of nothing.
Don’t give up, I know if I did sooner or later I would regret it.
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