I realized yesterday that the woods has become my beach, my place where I go to feel at peace, to see natural beauty, to connect with God.
I went to a local farm/park this week for a meet up with Meg (our regular weekly date) and met a new to me 365er in the area (Sophia). We had a great walk through the woods and creek. We almost didn't find the creek part and I was ready to leave. So glad that Meg pushed us on to find it. It was just amazing back there!
Happy weekend and thanks so much for all of your support this week!
I feel the same way about the woods that you do. I am at the beach this weekend and it is pretty friggin' awesome, too. The wonders of nature are many. FAV
this is spectacular, kiddo. liking the colours and the shades of peaceful. it's snowing here but methinks i'll go to thd beach later if my shoulder and arm allow me to.
Beautiful golden glow! I can see why you go there as a respite. I happen to notice that Sophia is in your area this week. I am glad to see that you connected with her. I would like to find a 365er close to me. I just recently learned that the receptionist at my credit union likes photography. Maybe I can get her to join after she purchases a much needed newer computer.
@skipt07 Sophia lives in my area. I've also been meeting with Meg Mills for regular photo walks. Is there a camera/photo club in your area? We have several, but I wasn't really into mine. I was the youth of the group by far.
@amandal - A friend of mine invited me to her camera club. I went to a few meeting before I decided to join. I was nervous at the thought of competing with photographers that have been photographers longer than me and had much more talent than me. Two in particular are very good! Each year it seems like these two take turns winning the all the ribbons at the end of the year. But I swallowed my pride and joined. As it turned out, this particular camera club was all about the competition. There was very little sharing of techniques or even critiquing. How can you learn unless someone is willing to point out the things you are doing wrong? The club meets on the first and third Tuesdays. Later they started a Tech Tuesday on the second Tuesday of the month. But I have other comments for that night every month. Since I already know how to take pictures, matte them and present them I quit. All the stuff I wanted to learn was on the night I couldn't attend. I guess my idea of a camera club is that it is an organization where people who share and love the same hobby come together and share their ideas and techniques on a variety of subjects. I had the feeling that they didn't want do do that so that others wouldn't become as good as them? Just my feeling. Then, on the two nights they submitted and judged photos, each member would vote on the photos submitted. You had a choice of voting between 1 for poor to 5 for excellent. The officers of the club then didn't want to offend anyone so they dropped the 1 and voting went from 2-5. Believe me there were photos that deserved a 1 and not a two. So since they dropped the one, people were reluctant to give anybody a two. So now you were down to voting between a 3-5. You probably can figure out what kind of problems that created.
@skipt07 we have managed here to get a bunch of 365ers together in our area. We have met up 3 times now. So far it is just fun, we have lunch and then take a walk in the area and shoot whatever we desire. No pressure, no competition. We talk and ask each other's advice or opinion. We plan on meeting every few months and actually shoot more each time. I opened up a 365 page for us to privately post the shots from our meet ups and then we can compare and make comments. It is a great time so far. It would be awesome if you found a person there...365 or otherwise...so much fun to be out with likeminded people.
@skipt07 Sounds like a bummer. Mine wasn't that bad. We did learn in my group...the people were eager to teach. I just had a very bad experience being review my first time. It was ripped apart and laughed at. I went back, but just never really got into it and finally stopped going. I should look for another group. It is so nice to meet up with another photographer or group like @vickisfotos said above. Thanks for sharing, Skip!
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
John Burroughs.