Some freebies, a toddler, and a model

Being the freebie shopper that I am, I went on the hunt for photog deals.  One of the things I really wanted to find were actions to use in Elements.  Actions are what I can only describe as files that do a lot of the work for you.  Also known as the best things ever invented.  A few photographers I knew of had freebies posted, but I went in search of more.  I went to Google of course, and it did not fail me.  I ended up with 155 free actions to use in the editing of my pictures.  I think that's pretty darn good!  Here are the sites I got the freebies from:
The CoffeeShop Blog
Paint the Moon Photography
DTPactions
Pamela Topping
Nelly Nero

On another note, one of my lovely co-workers is leaving the nest and taking another job.  We had a going away party for her, and I snapped some pictures.  Most of them were of her cutie patootie son.

I then sent a call out to my Facebook friends to get some subjects, so I could stop harassing my dog.  An old classmate of mine sent me a message, and I secured my first human model.

I studied some poses but nothing could really prepare for how hard it is to make your subject feel comfortable while also getting shots that look good.  I felt so awkward because I had no idea what I was doing, but you can't learn if you don't practice right?  All in all, it was a good learning experience, and Cassandra was a great sport!  We took the pictures on the civic plaza in downtown Murfreesboro.

Editing a human subject proved quite a challenge, and I learned that I have one fallback action that I love using...CoffeeShop Sun Kissed.  So for now, expect a majority of my pictures to have a sun flare in the background.  I might even use it for inside pictures :)  

Venturing out for the first time

Once I had my camera, I buried myself in the manual.  I read everything even though most of it was way over my head.  I snapped a few shots of my dog and was quite impressed of the quality of the pictures.  I was reassured I had picked the right camera.  I then browsed what Photoshop program that I wanted.  I decided on Photoshop Elements because it stated it was easier to use and of course the price tag was MUCH lower.

I then decided to take my camera out and put it to use.  Living in the historic part of town has its perks, and I knew there were lots of things for me to photograph.  Putting that camera strap around my neck for the first time, I can only say that it probably compares to a superhero suiting up for the first time.  I went and looked in the mirror and said to myself, "Yep, this is it.  I'm a photographer now.  I don't even need to take any pictures."

After my pep talk in the mirror, I set out to do some snapping.  And I must confess this...even though I'm a beginner, there was a little voice in the back of my head saying, psh..you're going to be a natural.  Every shot you're about to take is going to be spectacular.  I'm not sure there was ever a more wrong assumption.  Almost all the shots looked like crap on my camera.  I kept thinking to myself that maybe I'm doing something wrong.  The only pictures I felt looked good were the close ups of flowers, but I keep shooting.

Coming back home, I felt like the trip was a failure even though it was a lot of fun otherwise.  I decided to upload the pictures and see what I could do with them.  After editing them, I realized they weren't so bad...at least to my eye.  Actually, most of them I loved.  It was in that moment I knew that Photoshop Elements was going to be my best friend.

These are some of the shots I captured.

Nothing to write home about, but for me, it was a good first attempt.

The Decision

What is the one thing you've always wanted to do but never accomplished?  Is it starting a band...auditioning for a play...or maybe even opening a cupcake baking business?  These dreams always seem so far off and no matter what, they are always put on the back burner. Well that dream for me has been photography for quite awhile now.  It started as it usually does with the love of snapping pictures of those around me and blossomed once I got to know more about the profession.  And so as I said before, it became one of those dreams.  The dreams that we want all of our lives but can't ever seem to grasp.  Time went by, and every once in a blue moon, I'd look online for cameras and say, "I'm going to do this soon."  That never happened.  Money and time were always spent elsewhere as it has a way of doing.  It wasn't until May of 2011 that I finally put my foot down.  I'm not quite sure what propelled me into action, but I think it was the fact that outside of work and my relationship, I had nothing for myself.  My hobby has always been reading, but that's become such a part of who I am that I don't even consider it a hobby anymore.  So, I made the decision.  It was now or never!

I began my search for a camera.  I immediately made the decision not to buy a brand new one because I had zero knowledge of DSLR cameras, and it was obvious that for now, I just needed something to learn on. So, I went to Craigslist.  My fallback site for when I need to find things.  After much searching and much debating, I found my camera.  A Canon Rebel XTi for only $300.

Once it was in my hands, I knew immediately how much I had to learn.  So, this is my story..of making the leap with almost no knowledge of what I'm doing.  I'm starting from scratch, and I'm teaching myself.  I know that this is going to be one of the biggest undertakings that I've ever experienced, but I'm up for the challenge.