food for thought
When I was about three years old, my family and I took a roadtrip to Chesapeake Bay and we stayed at this rundown motel along the beach, a vivid image in my memory still to this day mainly because our room actually came fully-equipped with a kitchenette! In my young mind, it was the perfect pretend play kitchen made just for me… a tiny fridge, a small stove with only two burners, and a sink. In fact, I do believe I actually ooo’d and aah’d at the sight of it the moment I stepped through the door. I suppose even back then I had a particular fondness for all things culinary.
After we settled in, we headed out to the beach just before sunset. This was the defining moment when I fell in love with the ocean and its sandy shores. As protective as my parents were (and still are), my dad carried me most of the way and wouldn’t let me down until I begged him. Even then, he didn’t let me get very close to the shoreline, and he stood directly in front of me so I wouldn’t get washed out to sea. I was still able to stoop down and see through his legs and watch the glistening water flow back and forth as the sun slowly disappeared behind the city skyline.
I regret not being able to capture that moment on film, but it will always stay with me in my mind. I think it’s true what they say about a picture being worth more than a thousand words… photographs have this awesome power of triggering emotions and memories long lost, and can take you to places you never knew existed. Photography is truly an artform and I am a mere novice on the path to discovering the tricks of the trade.
I received my first digital SLR, the Canon Rebel xTi (as pictured on my homepage), as a birthday present last year from a very special someone and I’ve been taking pictures ever since. If you’re new to photography, you’ll be amazed at the kinds of pictures you can take if you just practice, practice, practice! When you take your camera with you whenever possible, you’re bound to get a lucky shot or two. Trust me, some of my favorite shots were taken years ago with my old point-and-shoot when I had no clue what I was doing.
Earlier this year I decided to enroll myself in photography classes at my nearby community college taught by the chair of the photography department, Larry Jones, and this blog will serve as a means for me to pass on what I’ve learned. Comments and suggestions are always welcome and if you have any specific questions on photography, I’ll try my best to get an answer back to you. In addition, I’ll also post random thoughts and amusing discoveries from my everyday life. Happy reading to you and here’s a toast to serendipity!