PHOTOGRAPHY: A Living Palette
81PHOTOGRAPHY: Documenting Everyday Life
When I was 10, my parents taught me how to use their Minolta camera. I had spent years studying the glossy pages of National Geographic and I was also no stranger to the art museum. Learning how to use that camera enabled me to record a living journal of my life, as well as the lives of others. Photography entered my bloodstream and changed my creative perspective of the world. Photography is still my hobby, my outlet, my voice and my addiction. Forget the tedious technical talk of apertures and settings; ask me about my secret life as an amateur photographer and I will tell you that each photograph is a story. My photographs say a lot about who I am and how I see the world. Whether I strive to capture the personality of a loved one or preserve the fleeting beauty of nature, photography is the means by which I create a vibrant journal of the world in which I live.
I fall into a silent category when it comes to photography. I shy away from the uber-professional camera mongers because my tech speak is sorely lacking. My professional friends strive to maintain the best equipment and achieve an excellent status in the eyes of their peers. I wish them the best. Neither am I the occasional hobby photographer who totes her camera on vacations and documents her children's birthday parties. In such circles I am enthusiastic... perhaps a little too much so. I find myself inbetween - where the fervor of photography meets the penchant for a good time. My camera is almost always with me - either in my backpack or in my car. If it interests me, I capture it. If I feel like a moment is slipping away, I document it. If I stumble upon beauty, I keep it forever. You do not have to be a professional photographer to take excellent photos. More importantly, you don't have to be intimidated by equipment and technology; there are so many user-friendly cameras on the market today. If you don't know where to begin, start by taking photos of those you love most! The more you use a camera, the more comfortable you will become. For folks like me, a camera is another extension of the mind and body. I do it because I love it. What more does a person need? Your imagination is the limit.
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Breathtaking! Congrats on HOTD. These photos are incredible. More and more I've been wanting to become an "amateur photographer." I don't feel my photos are up to par right now. May I ask you what kind of camera you use? And what kind of photoshopping program to change colors and such? Great hub. Voted up and all the way across!
Wow! gorgeous images and I love your approach. Mine is almost the same way except I feel mine is lucky while yours is deliberate. I want your photographic eye when I grow up.
These were wonderful photos. I especially liked the snowy scene of you drive. What day in March did you get all that snow in AL and why didn't you share it with us in GA? :-)
Beautiful work. Your parents were on target when they taught you to use their Minolta. Congrats on Hub of the Day!
These are wonderful. Thanks for slowing down the world a bit so that we can take a better look at the extraordinary that lives in the ordinary. The old radio tubes might be my favorite, with the autumn leaves accentuating the end of their time.
I too love to take photographs but after looking at yours I've decided I need to be more creative. Your 'award' here is more than deserved. You may not be a professional but you have an incredible talent and should certainly continue. I agree you might want to make a book...one picture is more fascinating than the next. I love how you play with color. I could go on and on but I think you get the 'picture'. Voted all buttons except funny and of course SHARING.
nice work,,
its out standing....................
Nice photos. I love the last photo " saving a stranded fish from a shrinking tidal pool." of your daughter.
Nice hub and congratulations for being the hub of the day.
Dawnrichard
Fabulicious photos . . great ideas and tips, look forward to trying your suggestions out!Congrats on HOTD you deserve it, voted up, awesome etc . . .
Congrats on your Hub of the Day award--I enjoyed seeing this again!
I always wondered what it feels like to be living in photography world ... Your work is amazing :)
You totally deserve to have this recognized as HOTD. Congratulations! Your pictures are STUNNING. I'm sitting here drinking tea and I am just drooling over all these incredible photos you have taken. I don't think you should use the word "amateur" - somewhere along the line I think you became professional. :)
These are very expressive and creative photos. I like your use of black and white in combination with a colour highlight, as seen in the photo "Autism". An excellent image!
Wow this is really beautiful.. Enjoyed every single one of your photos. Amazing!
Such beautiful photographs. A real inspiration. Awesome hub.
Your work is an inspiration. The range of your photos is just amazing . . . beautiful color, introspection and humor! Thank you for sharing these with us.
Amazing an inspirational photos! Voted up, awesome and beautiful.
Amazing work. Thank you for sharing these.
watching the alabamian winter wonderland driveway of yours is breath taking... thank you for sharing sarah, you made me smile today, happy new year!
Amazing photography and intriquing words. Good work!
AnneHarrison; Thank you so much for your kind words. I believe any creative outlet is one of the best types of therapy in the world! I hope you do pick up that camera and start inventing a new version of our world!
Absolutely amazing photos. In the last week I have picked up my camera for the first time in years - you have encouraged me to keep taking photos,f or the sheer enjoyment of celebrating the world around us.
Wow. What gorgeous photos! Oota is so cute.
Overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed. Thank you SanneL, malometer and missolive! Also Duchess, prairieprincess and (my favorite hubname!!) holdmycoffee!! RTalloni - after reading your comment I felt like it was MY birthday!Whatever your circumstances, I hope the best and wish you a happy birthday. For you to share how my hub inspired you is the best feeling in the world (*warm fuzzies everywhere*). Girl, get out that camera and start shooting!
What more does a person need, indeed! Child, what ever that is, you've got it, and you've inspired me to keep working at the photography I enjoy so much (but know so little about). I feel I've learned more from this piece than all the others I've read put together! Thanks much! Today's my birthday but celebration must be delayed due to circumstances, however, I feel that you've given me a fabulous gift! Insight, inspiration, industry...all great thoughts as I look forward to future photography opportunities. :)
You truly have a talent and a great eye for photography, it shows in these unique and amazing photos. Congratulations on your win!
Wonderful pictures, the one with your daughter and the rooster is lovely.
Congratulations Sarahredhead !
Your images are amazing. It is difficult to choose a favorite. My son is also in the spectrum so AUTISM certainly stood out for me. All of the images are wonderful and each evoke a personality and/or thought. Thank you for sharing your work.
A very interesting collection of photos, that speak for themselves. I'm glad you decided to enter the contest, and congratulations on the win! I enjoyed your work
Congratulations on winning the contest. These are a stunning, heartfelt group of photos. Your win was well-deserved. Thanks for sharing with Hubpages!
Beautiful pictures with great meanings! Congratulations on your win, you deserve it!
You made my day! Thank you so much...All of this has inspired me to take on some new projects!
What beautiful and original photographs! I enjoyed them all and each one is a favorite. Your creativity astounds me!
Such wonderful work. A richly deserved award!
Congratulations on your award! All the images are outstanding, but I loved the coffee cup the best. I never thought of immortalizing my favorite cup that way...
Congratulations, nice photos and comments!
Congrats, I envy you..your photos are creative and beautifully composed.
Unique, outstanding and amazing photos, and words too! You are a perfect winner, and I congratulate your magnificent work also, because you loved doing it!
How beautiful,creative and diverse. Congrats on your win!
Definitely award-winning material and could be a coffee table book.
My favorite - I am struck by the way the multicolor rooster pops alive at the touch of your goddaughter who has a gift with animals. This would make a beautiful poster and I gaze at it open-mouthed. I admire Dr. Temple Grandin who also has Aspbergers and specializes in animal husbandry.
Rated Up on as many buttons as possible. Thank you for your work.
Many of my dog shop photos (phoDOGraphy) including before and after pics are located on the shop's facebook page! On FB we are Little Angels Pet Salon.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Angels-Pet-Sa/pages/Little-Angels-Pet-Salon/163508940348766?sk=wall
maybe you could do a hub of before and afters of your groomed dogs?
You truly deserve to win. I love allllll you photos.
I have a dear friend who looked at Firecracker today. He had a brilliant description. He thought that it demonstrated the ability children have to not only maintain an incredible energy all the time, but to harness that energy, manipulate it and control it. He said, "Then, when you're an adult, such energy might just incinerate us!" Good stuff.
Baileybear: Yes! We dye dogs! Maybe I should take some pics of that!
What you have can't be taught: a good eye. All the equipment in the world can't replace a gift.
I looked up some images of dogs with painted nails - rather bizarre, IMO (mine you, I think humans lining up to get their nails painted is odd too). Did clients ask you to dye their pets?
Baileybear: Zoe is a doll. The client requested her nails be painted to match her bow. As a dog groomer, I paint lots of nails, but I have never gotten used to the look! It is bizarre isn't it?
Zoe is beautiful - she'd be beautiful without the nail polish too - I haven't seen a dog with its nails painted before
emichael: that is sweet how you defined some of the photos. I always welcome constructive criticism. Feedback is a valuable tool.
Baileybear: thanks!! My husband said I should make a poster out of that one, which is a pretty cool idea.
Marlin55: You made my day!!!!!
I'm off to read some more hubs!
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words. I do hope any fellow hobby photographers out there will share their works - I always get so inspired when I see others' works! It is also much more comfortable to meet people who are photographers because they love what they do. Many times I have been caught in the undertow of those who know much more about the craft than do I... I say do what you love. My face still hurts from grinning. You guys are awesome.
A very well deserved victory. These pictures are all great. I love your view that photography is not about perfect equipment and settings and blah blah. It's about documenting what you love. Composing and telling a story.
I love the personality you managed to capture in "GULP."
"THE ROAD" is breathtaking.
The description you include with "FIRECRACKER" is great. Very profound.
I love the composition of "DAUGHTER." The colors as well as the shapes created by her posture and shadow make for a very compelling photo.
All of these are fantastic and congratulations on the win!
awesome images - that octopus is really effective
Awesome and a well deserved winner!!!! Congrats!
Congratulations on your grand Prize !!... stupendous & intriguing photographs... thanks very much :-)
You really have a wonderful eye for subject matter and framing. I literally went from one picture to the next saying, "This one is my favorite." Congratulations.
Congratulations on your well deserved win! I loved viewing these beautiful photos of yours. You definitely have great talent in capturing the special moments in life.
With cup of coffee in hand, I checked my email this morning and was overwhelmed! WHOA! WHAT??! I cannot thank everyone enough for their kind words! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and savoring so many fellow hubs during this contest - many of which I believed were superb! It feels so good to be a part of such an incredible community. Thank you x 1000! (*face hurts from grinning*)
This is incredible work! Your creativity really shines in this gallery of art!
Great pictures! They made me realize that everything that happens, or what we see in life always has meaning for the person been present in the scenario in many ways! Voted up! Congratulation for being a winner!
congratulations. The pictures are different and lovely. Have a great day.
Beautiful phots. Congratulations on a well-deserved win!
Outstanding photos, congratulations on your win, well deserved!
wow! I love these images and your intro. I can see clearly why this was the winning hub. Beautiful! Congrats on your win!
Beautiful. It's easy to see why you were a winner in the contest. Congrats. Goodnight, Mary
Very lovely indeed and congratulations are well earned! Definitely fantastic photography.
What an outstanding hub and a well deserved win in the Hub Patron of the Arts contest. Congratulations!
Your photo entitled Austim rocks my world. Fantastic collection!!
These photographs are simply awesome. You have a wonderful eye for seeing things differently and really capturing a mood. Congratulations on your grand prize win in the arts contest photography category!It is very well-deserved.
Many many congratulations Sarah on winning the photographic competition on HubPages. A great collection of diverse images and photographic effects, including very interesting subjects and clever ideas for others to try. Well done. Alun.
Great photos, nice story, I can see why you are the Photo Gallery winner Sarahredhead, I really enjoyed looking at these. The ones you manipulated ever so slightly are awesome, just right. Congratulations, snakeslane
I love your passion for photography, no wonder you won a prize in the photography contest. Congratulations!
Hi Sarah, you have a skill for capturing a variety of different moments in time. I'm very impressed by your work. Do you have a photo blog or website?
One word: Awesome! You have quite a talent for photography and artistry. Rated up!
Oh wow! Oh wow! What a beautiful collection, and what a great premise! I love the images you've shared- and the affects you've applied are intriguing and just right! I think I'll be revisiting this Hub several more times throughout the day... these photographs will take some time to absorb!
Some incredible photographs...beautiful, moving, intriguing, unusual. I loved your idea of creating and photographing still lifes of your own possessions. What a fascinating idea....I hope to do that soon myself, altho I have no camera skills to speak of. I am more of a word person, but I really appreciate your work. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
WHOA...Thank you x100!
WOW!!! I love all of your photos. You do so well.
These are really good.
Exquisite photos. Thanks you for sharing.
Stunning photos! Thank you for sharing.
Nice photographs. Good variety of subjects.
ktrapp Level 7 Commenter 7 hours ago
I'm so glad to see this as Hub of the Day. Congratulations. I find your photos to be as captivating today as I did when I first saw them a few months ago when you won the contest. What treasures you create with your eye and camera!