The Next Step by olivetreeann

The Next Step

I took a big step this month and attended my first Photo club. I wasn't sure if I was ready for something like that as I've only got my point and shoot so far, but I was really surprised and encouraged by the feedback I received that night. I attribute my courage to take the next step to all the support and encouragement I've received here and will be entering my first photography competition next week. I labeled and matted my pictures today and now they're ready to go to the drop off sight. I can't believe how hard it was to choose three entries! But with input from some of you, my artistic son and the camera shop guy, I finally ended up with three qualifiers! So here they are since I knew you'd want to see which ones made the cut! The first two have been posted here on 365, but the third is new to you, although it was taken this past Spring. I won't know the outcome until November. October is going to be a LONG month!
Bev
Great choices, Ann! Love the collage! I'm glad that the photo club was good for you and that you enjoyed it. Good luck on the competition! I know it's something I'd ever do - that and we don't have things like that around here (that I know of anyway!).... Lots of luck to you. And I hope you win. You deserve to.
September 29th, 2013  
i agree - great choices, ann. i consider getting yourself into the first step a big win already. bravo! keep it up!
September 29th, 2013  
The framing and presentation looks great! To me, it is not important to win. The inspirations from fellow photographers are most invigorating. I love the photo holding the baby, I remember that posting. Good choice! Have fun!
September 29th, 2013  
Great shots
September 29th, 2013  
Good for you Ann! You should be very proud of yourself on taking that step.
September 29th, 2013  
Great choice for the competition. I love the middle shot most - it is such a tender shot. Hope you make it to first place.
September 29th, 2013  
Wonderful that you've joined the club, and are now showing your work in the competition :) Definitely great shots to enter. Good luck!
September 29th, 2013  
Very nice. Yes Camera Clubs will help you grow. I have belonged to one for 34 years...and sometimes more than one club...stay with it...:)
September 29th, 2013  
Ann that is such great news. Enjoy the Photo Club and I know they will definitely enjoy the work you do. All the best in the competition
September 29th, 2013  
Congratulations! I love the way you put together this creative collage of truly lovely photos. Wishing you all the best in your competition.
September 29th, 2013  
Congratulations - I know how hard it is to pick images for competitions but these are great images.
September 29th, 2013  
@la_photographic So you are from NJ...what Camera Club??????
September 29th, 2013  
Fantastic!!! Great shots, good luck!
September 29th, 2013  
Good on you for entering! You have chosen some beautiful shots!
September 29th, 2013  
@prttblues Thank you Bev! Oh, I'm sure there is a club near you. You could probably find one by googleling camera club or photo club and the name of the nearest town/city or by checking in the paper. If there is a camera store near you, they would know as well. That's how I found out about the one in Stroudsburg.

@summerfield Thank you Vikki!
@yaorenliu Thank you Yao! I am not expecting any kind of win- but I agree, it is a good experience to enter and see the other works.
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri!
@nadaa Thank you Nada!
@sangwann Thank you Dione! Yes, the center shot is also my favorite and very close to my heart!
@alia_801 Thank you Alia!
@tuya Thank you Claire! 34 years is very admirable! I hope to be a part of this one for a long time!
@bkbinthecity Thank you Brian!
@cimes1 Thank you Carole! I had asked a couple people on here what some of their favorite shots were as well as my son and his wife (both artists) and I knew they would want to see what I ended up choosing. This was the easiest way to show them.
@la_photographic Thank you Laura!
@tuya Thank you Claire! Laura is from Ireland, not NJ.
@jesperani Thank you Jennifer!
@salza Thank you Sally!
September 29th, 2013  
Congratulations on entering the photo club. I think your choices are fabulous. They are all worthy of winning.
September 29th, 2013  
@henrir Thank you Henri! We'll see how they stack up against the other photographs- but I'm hopeful.
September 29th, 2013  
Congratulations Ann, these photos are really good choices and I will keep my fingers crossed for you x
September 30th, 2013  
@nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! I'm pretty excited about it. I have no idea what the other entries will be like, so I'm not expecting anything, but I'm still hopeful!
September 30th, 2013  
Three great choices. I admire your courage in going to the camera club and entering a competition. Good luck! Though I have to say I don't think that winning or placing it the only point--it's the whole process....
September 30th, 2013  
@eudora Thank you Diane! At this point I am not expecting to win anything, although I am a little bit hopeful. This is my first competition like this. I have no idea what the other entries will look like. But I wanted to get used to putting my work in front of the public eye so this was a good start. Yes, the process is a good thing!
September 30th, 2013  
@olivetreeann You've made a good point--that we need to get used to putting our work out there. Our camera club has open exhibits in the different branches of the public library--I think you've given me the courage to get prints made and put one of them in the next exhibit.
September 30th, 2013  
@eudora Oh Diane- you should definitely put some of your pictures up- particularly the sports related ones and the historical shots. The heart you have for those topics really shows in your shots and I think people will really connect with that. I am cheering you on from PA!
September 30th, 2013  
Good luck to you. I belong to a photography club and find it very interesting but personally have probably learned even more from this "photo club" in here. However, it is hard to do field trips with people scattered all over the globe and those are always fun. I enjoy the social aspects of it too. Have fun.
September 30th, 2013  
@libertylady Thanks Alice! The field trips were definitely a draw for me. I am sort of close to a couple 365ers- but not close enough to get together on a regular basis. So, like you, the social aspect is a plus. Thanks for the input! Oh, and I completely agree- if I hadn't been on 365 and received the feedback and encouragement I got here first, I would never have joined a local photography club or entered this competition.
September 30th, 2013  
very cool
September 30th, 2013  
So very well done Ann. Now all you can do is wait for the results. Nerve wrecking LOL, but I think you will be pleased
September 30th, 2013  
@twr Thank you Timothy!
@digitalrn Thank you Rick! I've been looking at the Pocono Color forecast and my calendar and it looks like October 12th might be a good day for your trip to Bushkill Falls etc. Let me know if that will be a good day for you- my weekends have filled up quickly this month.
September 30th, 2013  
Keep going , you are too good to hide your talent.
October 1st, 2013  
@fullcircle Thank you Cindy! You are so sweet to say that!
October 1st, 2013  
@tamara2013 Thank you so much for the fav Tamara!
October 2nd, 2013  
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