Blogging and photo logging with Cynthia!: Blog 1 Focusing on my interest in photography!

Hello and welcome to my blog! This blog is intended to document my growth as a photographer and blogger in the process! In this first entry I would like you to get to know me a bit as a photographer and how my early influences, love of my subjects and personal and technical limitations have all helped to shape who I am as a photographer. I hope you enjoy my blog!

My fascination with photography began at a young age thumbing through the pictures in my father’s National Geographic magazines. It was exciting to travel to these exotic places and see the people who lived there, before I could even read. During my studies of the Great Depression in junior high I was introduced to the works of Dorothea Lange. Her ability to capture the moment and her use of available lighting has always impressed and inspired me. In the spring of 1999, I was introduced to the works of Ansel Adams. I went to see one of his shows at the J.B Speed Museum and was completely blown away. These beautiful black and white pictures of nature, pure and simple resonated with me.

When I find time to, I especially like to take pictures of dilapidated homes and barns, train tracks and trestles, old bridges and the occasional covered bridge, small cemeteries, anything nature, churches, and my beautiful daughter Lilly. One of my favorite pastimes is to take Indiana State Road 11 from New Albany to Maukport. It runs along the river and offers many opportunities for me to capture what I love. The journey does not end there though. After years of traveling this road with my significant other we stumbled across a small town which immediately stole my heart. In 2010, the U.S census bureau counted the population of New Amsterdam Indiana as only being 1, this is my kind of town http://www.wdrb.com/story/12140830/bernsons-corner-the-power-of-one. This town offers everything from old farms, barns and orchards to churches and forgotten cemeteries. Most of all it offers miles and miles of peace and quiet, something that is hard for me to find here in the city of Louisville.

As much as I love photography, having never taken a photography class has hindered my abilities in some areas. I would like to be able to work more adequately with the light I have available, I hate using a flash or artificial light. Choosing the best angle for close up shots is another area I have trouble with. Many times my camera will focus on an area that is not what I desire and I end up with close up of something that is unrecognizable. Lastly, we come to my 3^rd and toughest challenge, the action shot. The subject of most of my action shots are of my precious daughter. Three year olds are ALWAYS in action, unless of course they are asleep. I have gotten some beautiful shots of Lilly sleeping but most shots of her end up being deleted because no one wants a picture of a blur!

I intend to tackle these obstacles by finally watching the instructional video that came with my new camera, researching these areas that need improvement and questioning a friend of mine who runs her own successful photography business. I know I will have difficulty due to the limitations of my camera but I look forward to finding ways around these situations.

I can see where the potential to reach millions of people is here in this blog so I will try hard not to disappoint! I really am looking forward to growing as a photographer and blogger. If you have any questions for me please feel free to ask. The following are a few of my favorite photographs.

Frost in my backyard Fall 2011