camera
My photography background starts at about the age of 19.
I have a pretty extensive background that includes…
- traipsing around Maryland and Virginia with my sweet friend taking pictures of whoever would let us.
- lugging 100+ rolls of film around every other weekend throughout the six months I interned for a wedding photographer.
- freelance weddings (back in the day, enjoyed at the time, but not where my passion is at)
- spending countless hours in a pitch black darkroom developing rolls film for a photolab I worked at for about 5 years.
- photoshop digital restorations a same said lab.
- a photography certification.
- a photographer at the hawaii version of glamour shots (my hubby’s first duty station).
- a BA in art emphasis in graphic design and photography.
- tutoring people in photoshop to raise funds for the graphic design club I was president of in college.
- hours in the dark room working on silver halide prints.
- hours in the digital darkroom.
- hours in direct sunlight developing gumbichromates.
- displaying photography at coffee shops and joint collaborations at galleries.
My love for photography has circled around the people I love, and the moments I want to capture forever, to pass along and recount stories. I love photography that is in the moment. Not posed, but capturing the essence of a moment in time. I love photography, not only of people but of nature, structures and unseen beauty. I love the processes behind photography, the history of the amazing photographers who paved the way. While I’m not a working photographer in the sense that I’m currently doing portraits for clients or currently displaying my artwork, I am in the sense that it is part of my everyday. The extraordinaries of my ordinary day are recorded on this blog, captured through my lens and saved to create a lasting memory.
As my husband’s job has kept us on the move, graphic design and the digital darkroom is something that has been a great creative outlet for me. I don’t need special lights, chemicals, and a large space… just my computer. I enjoy process so much, and have discovered that creating tutorials and actions a great way to share my process.
Now onto my camera…
BODY:
I have a Nikon D90. I purchased it at the beginning of the Summer of 2012. Before that I had a D100 that I used for about 6 years, which is forever in the digital world. Back in the day of film camera, when someone used to ask me about their purchase, I really encouraged them on putting their money into a lens. And I still believe that lenses are so important, there are certain things about a digital body (megapixels, metering, etc) that effect your picture in big ways. If you are looking to purchase a camera (Nikon or Canon) and aren’t really sure I really like this review of all camera bodies. You can see what works best with what you need and balance that with cost. Ken also reviews lenses on his site, so its definitely worth a hop over there if you are in the market.
LENSES:
I have two lenses. The first is a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens 
That’s why I love my second lens. Chris bought it for me for my 30th. Its a 18-200mm Zoom-Nikkor Lens
I love creating layers, playing with different filters, airbrushing and getting the best possible picture. Below are links for tutorials I’ve done for either Photoshop or Actions I’ve created to download:
PHOTOSHOP
Airbrushing in Photoshop
Infrared in Photoshop
Color your Black & White
Using the Blur Tool
Cyanotypes
Gaussian Blur
Restoring Old Photos
Editing Underexposed Photos
PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS:
That Colorful First Set: (includes blemish remover, sharpening tool, and vivid cream light action)
Creamsicle Action
Pink Lemonade
Haze Grey (used in top photograph)
Awesome Eyes