Finding beauty

I've always been interested in photography.  When I was in elementary school, I took a snapshot of a sunset on a lake with my parents' 110 camera. It turned out pretty good and my mother suggested I enter it in the county fair photo contest.  It didn't win any awards but it was exciting to see it on display.  Unfortunately I never developed my interest into a hobby.  Until now.

It all started again last summer (2010) when I purchased a digital point-and-shoot camera to have handy for capturing moments of daily life - family events, holidays, James paddling, etc.  I played around with it, snapshot here, snapshot there - you know, annoying family members and such.  As I learned the camera's settings I became fascinated by close up shots, especially of nature. The more I photographed the more I began finding beauty in everyday little things all around me.  The details of tree leaves, the color of fall grasses, the individual petals of flowers, bumble bees, the list goes on!  Then I began to notice that  while out and about with my camera I felt calm and peaceful.  I was focused on "seeing" the world around me, "being part of" the world around me. 

I decided to go a step further in June of this year and bought myself a Canon Rebel SLR. My justification - it's an investment in me and it's cheaper than therapy!  I love it!  I've joined two camera clubs in hopes of learning how to use it and to how to produce high quality creative photos.  I plan to post the best shots on this blog in hopes that you too will see the beauty in everyday little things.