Today I did a photography workshop through Obscura Gallery in St Kilda, Melbourne. It was a basic introduction to the principles of photography, with a photo shoot outdoors and then back in for a brief photoshop tutorial. Most of the way through I found it fascinating, and took plenty of notes, but on my journey home it made me think - What sort of photographer am I? I think the answer is a different one.
I'm modest most of the time with any compliments that I recieve on my work, but looking back - damn I've come a long way since 2008 when I first got my Panasonic Lumix FZ-7!!!! The Panasonic FZ7 is still my weapon of choice, and has lasted me well, along with a 10 megapixel 5x zoom Nikon Coolpix that fits in my hand bag for going out every day or when we are drinking etc and I dont want to risk the "good camera"... I have dreamed for years of owning a digital SLR but to be honest - I am not sure I want one, they appear big and bulky, whereas if I need the Panasonic it also fits in my handbag, and there are soooo many different lenses for SLR's - the Panasonic has one fixed lense and allows me to add different filters/magnifiers if I want. Plus I still have SO much to learn about the basics of photography, and the various settings on my camera, I think I would be lost with an SLR. Right now, at this moment in life, I have just started to enjoy photography again, and I think if I went out and got an SLR it would be put in the "too hard" basket again.
I don't enjoy sitting in front of the computer for hours playing on photoshop to edit/correct photographs, At this stage I would much rather take a few shots and then move on, and if I do not get a good shot - ask myself what I missed, and use it as learning. I used to attend a local camera club and their main interest was Photoshop. After a year of being president I soon lost interest and no longer attend meetings, which is sad because it was a good social outing, but I just have no real interest in photoshop...Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy digitally playing with my photos, - but more in the way of digital scrapbooking, not editing and fixing various parts or removing things. I think it comes down to I am an impatient learner, with little time lately and there is way too much for me to get my head around!! Maybe one day I will truly be able to appreciate the editing that is required, but as an amateur photographer, I dont see the point in me attempting to learn this, as I only do photography for fun, not as a profession and nor do I intend on it becoming a profession.
What sort of subjects do I enjoy photographing? Anything! I do photography because it allows me to "escape". It gets me thinking and I go off in my own little world, playing with settings and zoom etc to attempt to teach myself what is required for a good photo. Anyway enough of my rambling, I will post some pics below ranging from 2008-today. (They are4 not in order though) Thanks for reading :)
I hope my post does not offend any of my professional photographer friends - I frequently look at your work and am in awe. You are all truly gifted in both editing and photography x
