Decision making.

Yesterday I made a choice and decided to advertise my service on our local military website. I posted that I was not charging, but donations were welcome. I received three phone calls and numerous messages and IMs. I scheduled three photoshoots over the next week. Kyle is not understanding and happy about me not charging but I honestly feel like I can't possible charge people yet for the simple fact that I have owned my DSLR for a little over two weeks. He said that it didn't matter and that I just happened to be really good at it quickly. Although I am flattered by his comment I just can't do it. I really just appreciate any and all experience right now. Do I hope people give me a donation? Of course. Afterall, I do spend about two hours shooting, which is two hours away from my loved ones ,and an hour plus on editing the pictures. But it won't bother me if people don't. It honestly just makes me happy to provide them with lasting memories. A woman I spoke to yesterday seemed so grateful for my service and explained that she has no good pictures of her two month old son. It warms my heart that I can provide her with something she can cherish forever. It really does. When will I start charging? Good question. I have absolutely no idea. I guess there will come a time when I will feel very confident in how a camera works, how to properaly operate it on Manual mode, understand different lighting, ect. Until then..... (:

Second shoot.

First shoot.

I did it! My first photo shoot of many. For it being my first time I think they turned out well!

To edit or not to edit? That is the question.

As I learn more about photography I've started to think about the kind of photographer I want to evolve into. In what I have learned so far I have realized that a lot more work and knowledge goes into it than one would think and my appreciate for it has vastly increased!

Yesterday I downloaded a trial version of Photoshop Elements and have started to play around with it a little bit. Then this statement came to mind, "Anyone who is anyone with a camera can edit their pictures to look good" followed by this question, "Do I really want to spend my time editing pictures?".

I'm torn. In some ways I would like to focus on solely shooting good quality pictures and not having to spend much time editing them... on the other hand I see pictures that have clearly been edited and I absolutely love them.

Hmm.....

First lesson- Aperture, shutter speed & ISO.

My friend let me borrow a fabulous book called Understanding Exposure Revised Edition by Bryan Peterson and I highly reccomend it! Last night I read the first 56 pages and made the following notes on the basics: (I hope you can read it. Let me know if you can't. Also, photography friends please feel free to add anything you think may help!)

The most confusing of the three, for me, is without a doubt ISO. Would anyone else like to elaborate on it for me?

Amber Nicole.

Welcome.

Hello Hello!

About a week ago I bought my first DSLR camera

and like everything else I get into I am fully wrapped up

and mesmorized by it. I decided to start a blog for a couple reasons:

1) Document my journey. According to my fellow photographers I will be

amazed looking back at my pictures and seeing the improvement over the

following months/years.

2) Compile useful information. I will write about what I learn and try to break

it down for anyone else who is interested in photography.

I have some wonderful people around me who have already shared so much

and I would just like to thank them again for all their help.

Thank you Laura. Thank you Sarah. Thank you Joel. Thank you Michael.

Amber Nicole.

*DSLR=digital single-lens reflex