Photography creates smiles, laughter

I discovered my one and only hobby 10 years ago when my mother-in-law, Teresa, purchased a 35mm camera for my 18th birthday. I then became the picture taker of my family.

Four years later I purchased my first SLR camera, the Canon Elan 7E. I loved the control I had and became passionate about photography. Taking pictures of everyone and everything, I learned how to manipulate a picture by simple knowledge of shutter speed, aperture and depth of field.

I can’t say I took any pictures that won awards or ribbons but I sure wasn’t taking snapshots anymore. This year I purchased a camera I had only dreamed about owning for over a year.

But luckily I have a supportive husband and with our tax return in hand I purchased the Canon EOS 20D, a digital camera that had everything the pros use but wasn’t out of my price range. I loved the fact that I could take as many pictures as I wanted and only develop my favorites.

But then my aunt gave me a computer and I discovered the artistic side of photography. A month later I purchased a new computer, luckily on low payments, that could handle my demands. (Needed more memory and lots of it.) I purchased some software and before I knew it I was making pictures that I have only seen the pros do.

I am not saying I am a professional but I am having more fun than I ever have and recently had the privilege of being the photographer at my sister’s wedding. I loved the look on her face. She was happy with the results of her photos.

My hobby is not exciting or out of the ordinary but it brings smiles, laughter, and sometimes tears to people’s faces. And a lot of times amazement. And I love that about my hobby.