The beginning...

That's me...I am usually behind the camera, instead of in front.
So what does my husband do when he gets a camera, takes a picture of me taking a picture.  

Photography for me is a hobby. I took a class in college and have learned the basics of how to take manual photgraphs, using aperature, shutter speed and depth of field to manipulate a photo, but I am no where near a hard core photographer. I think some of my pictures are good and want to share. I love using film, but often find the convienence of digital to be easier in this digital age. I do not yet own a scanner, so for now you will not see any of my film work. (It's part of my Christmas wish list, so hopefully as soon as January). I do not do digital art, if I edit a digital picture it is only to crop, or change overall color balance.

The beginning...here are some thoughts as to why I may have developed an interest in photography.

1. Great Uncle Gerald - I remember being a child and looking at the West Virginia Magazine at my Grandam and Grandpa's house. Uncle Gerald was a photographer and I thought it was amazing to see someone in my family with picture credits in a real magazine. We lived almost 5 hours away so I didn't get to see Uncle Gerald much, so I think that may have added to the allure of the art.

2. A 4-H project - I joined 4-H in third grade, since we were not allowed to take animals as projects my sister and I would choose simpler projects. I chose photography and I carried with me a disposable camera for and entire summer taking pictures and learning about the basics. I also took plants and still find phototropism one of the amazing oddities of the plant kingdom.

3. Great Grandma and Grandpa Cooper's House - Each major holiday as a kid would be spent at my great grandparents house. The basement space was the largest area of the house, so when the weather wouldn't allow us to be outside we would congregate together downstairs. Grandma had kept large bulletin boards and would post pictures of the ever growing family as large collages on the wall. I loved being able to look at the pictures, see the family way before I became a part of it and laugh at the fashion and hair style choices of my aunts, uncles and older cousins.

4. Smiles - There is almost nothing greater that having someone look at a picture I took and smile...I simply like making people happy.

So, welcome to my blog...I hope you enjoy your moments with my moments.