Hold It - Smile - Say Cheese!

Posing, smiling and saying cheese has been apart of my families life as far back as I can remember. For all sorts of occasions my father had us in front of the camera! You can imagine how much laughter came from those moments when he began using a time delay, so he himself could join us.

My father loved photography in all its elements. He passed this love down to both my brother and myself. He knew cameras and the gadgets and all that went with Photography. During his latter years,Daddy would restore old photographs back to pristine condition for others. He had his artsy side as well, printing photographs on mediums, aside from the standard photo paper. Maybe this is where my love for mixed media started. I have often wondered how much fun he would have had today with all the opportunities we have with Adobe CS4.

Daddy had all sorts of cameras,flash attachments and and developing equipment. You always knew when he was developing his photographs, as the aroma of the developing solutions filled the air. I am always a little sad that I did not take interest in this particular element of photography.

His camera bag was always filled with film and in the early days, those little flash bulbs that popped when the flash went off, along with all sorts of gadgets. Even a bag that had two sleeves with no neck so he could take the film out of the camera so as not to expose the film when the camera was opened.

One of the first camera I ever owned was a little square brown plastic box like camera called "The Brownie". Today it sits high on top of one of my bookcases, along with a few other old cameras he had.



My interest in photography about thirty years ago took a turn when I was not at all satisfied with just the every day square or rectangle photo of someone standing smiling or frowning back at you, along with everything you did not want in the picture captured as well. I wanted to do something different - I wanted those captured moments to be an ahhhh moment when someone looked at them.

Following the work of "World Known" photographers and artists, I began being a ole groupie - drooling at their work - beyond anything of a snapped picture - phenomenal. Photographers, Joe McNally (www.joemcnally.com/blog) and Don Warren (www.warrenproductions.com) share the ranks of my all time favorites. I actually got ro see Don and his crew first hand at work. Awesome!!! They are so cool and laid back.

All in all what I have learned from seeking out and researching on how to become a better photographer - a better artist which I must admit, at times takes me over the edge at the endless possibilities. . . .

My love for photography as an art medium, has blossomed. Here is my First Rule of Thumb: Don't be over critical of you own work, even some of the "worst" photographs can be very one your favorite piece of art. Second Rule of Thumb: Allow yourself to think of the possibilities in creating your own treasured work. And of course - Have fun - fun - fun with it.

Through the years have used everything from that first little Brownie to an awesome vintage Sony. This year I had some great success with my cell phone if you can believe that. The little HP Digital I used began turning pictures into candidates for the cranberry juice commercial, when the guy accidentally spilled juice on the lady's calender and all her appointments washed off. It will soon be sitting with the other cameras, on top the bookcase. Recently I found myself with out access to a digital camera and began using my old Cannon 35mm. Glad I did! For now I am using both the vintage Sony and my Cannon. Whether it is a cell phone camera or a top of the line Nikon. It is all in how you see your photographs and your imagination.

Does it really matter what camera you use. For me probably not. For Joe and Don, probably so. All in all take your photos and create your own style - your own work of aer.

As always, thanks for stopping by y'all, come again soon!