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I joined a group over at a Ning site called I Bring My Camera Everywhere.  It’s through my NatBloPoMo site. (National Blog Posting Month)  It doesn’t look like it’s been updated for some time, but it got me thinking about taking pictures, and taking my camera everywhere.  My best camera is a 35mm Canon Rebel film camera.  I love that camera so much and I have so many lenses and filters, and other accessories.  Of course, the problem today is if you don’t use a digital camera, you’re stuck in the dark ages.  You know that place–   The place that existed when everyone put their pictures in real book albums, and not the Internet.  I have used a digital camera for years though, a Kodak with a dock and printer.  That little camera takes great pictures, although it’s far from a perfect zoom.

On a recent trip to California, via air, it quit working.  It worked on the plane because I took pictures out the window.  Here I was on vacation, and going to a beautiful place without a camera!  Fortunately, my son had an extra one that was actually better than mine. 

When I returned home I took possession of the family digital, one that was old and hardly had any special features, but it’s a camera, and I have it with me everywhere along with two memory cards, extra batteries, and a case.  I keep it in my purse just in case.  I’ve been known to take a picture driving down the road at 45 miles per hour at the fog over a river.  Okay, I only did that once!    Being a creative person, I love creative photography.  Not only snapping a picture because it’s something to take a picture of, although I do, do that sometimes, but to actually look for something different in what the everyday eye sees.   My advice to capture creative photos is to start looking at things in a different way.  Sometimes I walk along a river trail, and my camera is always with me.  There’s always something to see, and something to take a picture of.  Once, I didn’t have it with me on my walk, and I saw so many things; therefore missed the opportunity.   A few years ago I took a photography class called Capture the Moment.  It was one of the best classes I ever had!  We had field trips, and they were a lot of fun, as well as, a great learning experience!  The instructor taught us how to take pictures creatively.   At that time I used a 35 mm point and shoot, but it took nice pictures. 

Along with creative photography, I like nature photography.  That’s why the river trail is so wonderful.  Things along the river are always changing– trees fall, water rises, or goes down, colors change, it’s dry and brown, or pretty Kelly green.  It’s my favorite place to take pictures.  When I had a place in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, I loved taking pictures of sunsets dropping below the mountains, or the path in the forest, crispy brown or red leaves, or even the black bear that visited against my wishes!  There’s nothing like looking back at photos and reliving the memories.  At times I do take people pictures, and my main purpose for that is for memories or gifts, especially kids who change so quickly.  

Most of my photos are in my computer now, as well as on flash drives for safe keeping.  On occasion I will look through my photo albums.  Yes the ones that you have to flip through page by page.  Some are weathered and worn, but I would never trade them.  Sometimes, I’m quite proud of my photos.  Other times, like when I just snap a picture without planning, well, not so proud, but I still have the memory.   When I was a child, I began taking pictures.  Maybe it was because my dad always took lots of pictures, and he gave me my first camera.   I don’t know what the reason is for my love of photography, but my two sons’ are excellent photographers, too. I guess it must be in their blood too!   Maybe it’s another God given talent like my writing.  Whatever it is, I’m glad I do it.  There are times I still use my 35 mm film camera, because I can get all the photos put on a CD and that gives me the capability of putting them on my computer, editing them, and sending them off, or posting them.  Eventually, I will purchase my dream camera… a 35 mm SLR Digital with interchangeable lenses, which means I’ll be able to use the lenses I already have.   I’ve always said I would have to be making money on photographs before I could afford something like that.  But, who knows?  Maybe one day I’ll just decide that I’m worth it, and I will treat myself, which doesn’t happen very often.  If you have a hobby that you love, find time to have fun with it!