With the recent killer heat...and lack of bird activity, I have found myself opening the vault some and the forgotten images are bringing back such wonderful memories. I wanted to share this image, though I have shared it before.
For years as a young man growing up, I always wanted to be a wildlife photographer. Of course, as a young man, with a wife, and then a young daughter, life, and all that is required to get by, prevented me from pursuing my dream due to lack of funds.
Finally, things broke for me and in 2008, I was able to purchase quality gear and pursue my passion with all the intensity I could muster. Before that time, the intensity and passion were still there, but inexpensive cameras and gear prevented me from caputuring the kind of images I wanted. Once I got the gear, I quickly learned "there is more to it than gear!". I was so humbled and daunted to be honest. I doubled down on my determination and the winter of 2008 a transformation began to take hold.
I remember the day like yesterday. I was standing beside the Mississippi River watching Eagles come in and fish. By my side was Commodorefirst (Wade) who took it upon himself, to show me some pointers to help me along the way. With his words of encouragment and bits of advise, as well as Tim O's...things began to make since to me and as a result, my images began getting better.
This image represents my VERY first in focus image of a Eagle fishing. My previous attempts were always out of focus due to the slow AF speeds of the cameras I had, and my lack of skill and knowledge. Upon getting home and reveiwing the images, I knew, at least in my heart, that I was on my way. This is a very special image to me, though for sure its not the best, and has alot wrong with it, it still represents the moment in my photographry, where I knew I was coming along.
Handheld, D300, 200-400VR, 1.4tc
The original NEF file was lost sometime back during a back up snaf fu...some may remember that issue I had...so I was lucky in that I saved 1 crummy .jpg of the file. With this file, I reworked it to the point it is now.
My journey as a photographer continues...my learning, well...that never stops either as I am an eternal student. The minute I stop learning, is the minute I loose interest in anything. I can only strive harder and hope that my photography continues to grow. Who knows what the future may hold for me in this. Sorry for the long, rambling story, but that is also part of me and how I do things.:smile::redface:
For years as a young man growing up, I always wanted to be a wildlife photographer. Of course, as a young man, with a wife, and then a young daughter, life, and all that is required to get by, prevented me from pursuing my dream due to lack of funds.
Finally, things broke for me and in 2008, I was able to purchase quality gear and pursue my passion with all the intensity I could muster. Before that time, the intensity and passion were still there, but inexpensive cameras and gear prevented me from caputuring the kind of images I wanted. Once I got the gear, I quickly learned "there is more to it than gear!". I was so humbled and daunted to be honest. I doubled down on my determination and the winter of 2008 a transformation began to take hold.
I remember the day like yesterday. I was standing beside the Mississippi River watching Eagles come in and fish. By my side was Commodorefirst (Wade) who took it upon himself, to show me some pointers to help me along the way. With his words of encouragment and bits of advise, as well as Tim O's...things began to make since to me and as a result, my images began getting better.
This image represents my VERY first in focus image of a Eagle fishing. My previous attempts were always out of focus due to the slow AF speeds of the cameras I had, and my lack of skill and knowledge. Upon getting home and reveiwing the images, I knew, at least in my heart, that I was on my way. This is a very special image to me, though for sure its not the best, and has alot wrong with it, it still represents the moment in my photographry, where I knew I was coming along.
Handheld, D300, 200-400VR, 1.4tc
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The original NEF file was lost sometime back during a back up snaf fu...some may remember that issue I had...so I was lucky in that I saved 1 crummy .jpg of the file. With this file, I reworked it to the point it is now.
My journey as a photographer continues...my learning, well...that never stops either as I am an eternal student. The minute I stop learning, is the minute I loose interest in anything. I can only strive harder and hope that my photography continues to grow. Who knows what the future may hold for me in this. Sorry for the long, rambling story, but that is also part of me and how I do things.:smile::redface: