Hello from another New Kid!

Hello, all. I'm fairly new to photography, but have taken to it with a passion. I've always wished I had some artistic ability and this may be the closest I will come.

I got "the bug" when my husband asked me to photograph his guitars. He's a guitar nut and wanted to post photos on his guitar chat boards. I discovered that they are not easy to photo well and the challenge was all I needed. I have shot some I'm happy with. I've moved on to portraits and am finding that to be very rewarding also.

My biggest pleasure is finding a new way to shoot something we've all seen many, many times before. Lighting was my biggest hurdle when I began, and so I've been concentrating on learning the secrets of lighting.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, and most of all -- learning more about photography!

Hi Rachel

Welcome to OPF. You'll find some mighty fine people here, and some mighty fine photographers.

That sounds wonderful; and if I can learn a few things, that's the proverbial "icing on the cake."

Rachel,

A huge California welcome to OPF with the surf pounding and the mountains and streams waiting to be explored and nurtured and the melting post of peoples and their pets as subject for your delight and photography.

Look at Charles' pictures of Mandolins. He knows how to use light. Look at Jack Flesher's still life photographs on the Lens baby Photo-challenge, he masters light too, as a few examples.

We'd be delighted for you to link the URL of your phogtographs to your post. You could show a series as you progress if yo wush to get feeback ad deas on the waty.

Asher

Thank you! I live a couple thousand miles east of CA now, but I was born and raised in the "Southland." I miss the warmth but not the traffic and real estate prices.

I'll put together a subalbum of my better things on photobucket and post the url. I would be delighted if anyone took the time to comment. Criticism (even picky) is most welcome as that's how I learn and improve.

I think my best portrait is http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x153/annieblues/portraits/2382.jpg
and my best guitar shots are http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x153/annieblues/guitar%20photos/1197post.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x153/annieblues/guitar%20photos/edge445.jpg

Thank you so much for the welcome and thank you for having me!

Southland

Another Californian to welcome you here, Rachel. What is a couple thousand miles to the East?

On the internet? A fraction of a second!

Thanks for the welcome!