Learn photography

My photo class is coming to an end. I must say, I have learned a lot of things at the Chicago Photography Center. Here is a sample of 20 shots I took of the same object. (see entry in lightwalks.com)

I am learning a lot of new stuff. I also started my own photo website at www.lightwalks.com. Lots and lots of pictures to come!

I finally had time to take pictures of the fall…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazojoey/sets/1209996/

I am addicted to taking photos.

my my my… I really have been enjoying taking pictures!

I have decided to go to Nikon School class in November. I never went to any real photography school. I am hoping that this will be very productive and insightfull. Wish me luck!

I have been experimenting…

My new set
Bloom @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazojoey/sets/886343/

When I was a kid, I always was fascinated with colour, patterns and balance. I asked for a painting set. What I got instead was 4 boxes full of encyclopedias (Charlie Brown, Childcraft series, World Book and the ever popular Collier’s). I was denied a painting set.

I wanted to create. I wanted to express myself in art: charcoal, pencil, crayons and acrylic paint. I went instead to SpeechPower, a school to hone my public speaking skills. I never was able to go to art class.

I became a consultant, a systems analyst and a software engineer.

Then, I discovered photography.
And I loved it!
I was never quite like the same.
Like someone at play in the sun.
Born to perform.
Born to express.
Born to become an actor.
Born to undress my corporate training for something more.
Sun at play.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazojoey/

Last night, I spent 3-4 odd hours tinkering with my camera. I found a decent parking spot in Grant Park in Chicago and let my eyes show me the way. I followed where my eyes went. Anything interesting, anything that catches my fancy from silohouettes, random people walking, children playing with the sand; anything is that can be taken into a frame I try to capture. I see patterns, I see colors, I see emotion, desire and passion. I see life!

Here are some shots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazojoey/sets/723553/

It seems as though I take on a new personality behind a camera. Even though I am not as good as professional, I feel enamored to take shots, lots and lots of shots until I am satisfied. I am a third person behind the lens. I see things differently and it mirrors my soul as I flesh out myself in these images.

I can go on taking pictures forever. It truly has become an enduring passion, an extension, a expression of me being me.

3 months ago, I purchased my first ever DSLR camera. Boy, it is expensive. I am still learning how to move beyond the “auto” mode and it has been a learning experience to play with all the new features of the camera…. I am hoping to improve.

My flickr pics are in

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazojoey

I have joined flickr and have been pretty much a point shoot and click kind of a guy. I have been wanting to increase my photography prowess by learning how to take manual shots. I recently purchased a Nikon D70.

Hopefully, I have more time to learn how to take more serious and creative photos.

Shoot!