Street Photography Vol. 1

Street photography and portraits are not a strong suit for me when it comes to photography.  I take them, but I never feel they are good to post.  As I was going through my photos tonight, I wanted to share with you some pictures that I have taken during the past year.  I don't ever plan to publish these professionally as I did not obtain a release from each person in the picture.  I hope that you enjoy and maybe in the future I will add more pictures like this as I become more confident with pulling out my camera in these situations.

 

Insert Title Here

I have sat here for an hour thinking of a title for the post tonight.  I have not came up with one yet nor the subject matter.  The pictures below are some of the recent ones that I have taken so I hope that you enjoy and thanks again for your support.  

Madison County, Kentucky

 Tonight's post is pretty quick as there are a couple of things that I need to work on.  I wanted to share with you all pictures that I have taken over the past week in Madison County (Richmond), Kentucky.  The first three were taken at White Hall where I shot my first ever engagement photo session for our friends.  The next three pictures were taken at Acres of Land Winery, which is an awesome experience if you ever get the chance to visit.  I have to thank my coworkers in Richmond for suggesting me to go today.  The last picture is of the highway returning from Acres of Land Winery.  I pulled over to the side of the road in order to take this shot.  Enjoy and have a good evening.

My Inspiration?

Tonight's post is the 100th post for me on this site.  It is a real accomplishment for me, especially considering that I have contemplated many times of not writing anymore posts.  It has been a pleasure sharing with you my pictures, thoughts, and experiences.  I am hoping to continue growing with my hobby.  I have a lot more to learn!!!

So, what inspired me to begin and keeps inspiring me to take up photography?

My inspiration comes from a few sources.  Obviously, my foundation is my family, religion, and friends.  I feel those three entities keeps me going with my photography.  Before my mother bought Kodak EasyShare point and shoot cameras for us Christmas 2007, I seldom took pictures.  I missed special moments that I can only relive through my memories of special events, happy times, and well...loved ones that have passed.  I don't have many pictures of my family with my father.  That is something that have and will always bother me.  The last picture that I have with all of us was taken in 2002; four years before he passed away.  I wish that I had taken more pictures so that I would have those pictures to treasure.  What I am left with is memories of those times.  I have a few pictures, but I would bank to say that the last picture that I have with my father was taken in 2003 when he came to Centre to watch my football game.  I am almost in tears thinking about that day as it took all my friends, family, and girlfriend at that time to plan the special event to "make my dream come true."  In that picture, he had a shirt that had the phrase, "Think BIG."  Because of this, I made a vow to myself that after my mother got me a camera that I would not go without capturing memories of special events, my family, and friends.

In 2009, I made the move to Eastern Kentucky in search of growth and an opportunity.  Although that course took a different path with a few detours along the way and bump and bruises, I would never have foreseen that I would have taken an increase interest in photography like I have.  When I first got to Eastern Kentucky, I wanted to share with my family the sights and my adventures.  From there, my photography seemed to blossom as I met special people that had roles in supporting my hobby from increasing my confidence to take pictures, assisting with technicalities, offering key advice, or urging me to upgrade cameras.  It also helped that as I grew with my professional career, I was able to incorporate my hobby into the workplace by capturing special events at work.  This allowed me to continue to practice and learn various skills with photography.  The picture below is one that was taken at work as we were trying to take a picture for a pamphlet.

Another key inspiration for me is my religion.  Going to places like Pine Mountain Settlement School, Cumberland Gap, Pine Mountain, Natural Bridge, Cave Run Lake, Great Smoky Mountains, Wood Creek Lake, Cumberland Falls, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Bernheim Forest provide opportunity for me to connect with my spirituality and realize how great a God we serve.  There is nothing like seeing a his love be real through nature.  There is a level of peace that comes with that spiritual connection.

Finally, my friends are an inspiration for me.  While in Eastern Kentucky, I was not able to be around my friends as much due to living 2-3 hours away from them.  Therefore, I wanted to capture the times that we shared together because that provided me with comfort when I felt alone or homesick.  I would look through the pictures and reminisce about the fun times we had.  Also, it was a good way to share with each other the times that shared together.  I also have to note that my girlfriend has had a great impact with my growth as a photographer.  It helps to have a participant willing to strike a pose and look good at it.  :)

So, I hope this answers the question about what inspires me to take and keep taking pictures.  The motto on the shirt that my dad wore in one of the last pictures, if not the last picture, says it best, "Think BIG".  I want to be able to capture the adventures, special moments, and special people in my life so that down the road I won't regret missing out on these times.

99 Posts But A Blog Ain't 1

Good evening everyone.  I am very proud to say that with my next post that I will have had 100 posts.  I am not sure how I plan to commemorate this feat, but I will try to think of something.  Tonight, I wanted to share with you pictures that evoke emotions that I have recently shot or edited. Of them all, I want to point out the first picture of the crepe myrtle.  I have never had great success in capturing the flower.  So, it is a feeling of accomplishment to share with you this shot that I took over the past weekend.  Anyways, enjoy and thanks again for continuing to support my hobby!!!