Monday, January 12, 2009

My interest through the years



I have always had a serious craft (hobby).

I began photography when I was 11 or 12. As a teenager I learned to knit and crochet. Late teens I started ceramics, and did that for about 5 years. During that same time frame I learned to embroidery. Then I moved to x-stitch, doing x-stitch from 1983 to 2005. When Jimmy and I married (February 1996) we both started bird watching from our back screened porch that Jimmy built. Being a photographer I had to try to capture them on film as often as I could. We moved from that house in 2000, and seemed like we doubled our bird population by moving one mile.

Jimmy and I both took a stained glass class in 2005. Something he had always wanted to try. He has not done any stained glass since the class. In 2006 we built a new house (30 miles to the east) and I made lots of stained glass for the house. The largest piece is over the claw foot tub in our master bath. I finally made all I could for myself so I setup
http://www.heirloomgoods.com/ at that time. Before the economy did it's nose dive I was selling some stained glass pieces. Maybe I will be able to again someday.

Then my 35mm Canon AE1 saw it's last and I switched to a digital camera in June of 2007. I first bought a Fuji point and shoot, but it could not capture those birds like I was used to with the AE1. About 6 months later I went to the Canon Rebel XTi digital SLR. When I got the D-SLR my macro photography went back to what I had been accustomed to with the Canon AE1. I had done photography all through all the other crafts, but digital opened up photography at a new level. I had always taken lots of photos. A week's vacation could be 6 to 10 rolls of film, easily. With a special trip being up to 20 rolls of film. I filled 4 albums when we went to the Badlands and Yellowstone in 1998. Sometimes I felt like the film developing cost as much as the trip itself. But now there is no restriction on how many photos I can take of that butterfly or bird. It does seem that everything else has been set to the side as I have gone back to my photography full force. I photographed my first 'real' engagement and wedding in 2008. Really had a blast doing it. Also, had some photography assignment work in 2008, with some more coming up soon for the same company.

What you see in my photography is still what I capture with the camera. Photoshop is way above my head, and am not even sure what I feel about it. The old saying 'pictures don't lie' has gone out the window. Now when a person sees a photograph that seems unbelievable it makes us stop and think that it probably is. But not from this photographer, my pictures still do not lie. The enjoyment I feel is the capture from behind the camera, not the computer screen.

12 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

It is so interesting to read about your hobbies.Many of these are similar to what I have done through the years.Knitting,crocheting,painting,cross-stitching and now almost exclusively photography.I enjoy your photos and posts,looking forward to many more.
Blessings,Rtuh

Craig Glenn said...

Leedra,

Loved the stained glass! I am signing up for classes!!!! (if maureen will let me, lol)

I like your heirloom site and would be glad to link it somewhere on my page if you would like.

Craig

troutbirder said...

Great idea Leedra. And good luck. I've noted how your grown in confidence and expression over the past months (besides being my technological guru. Go for it
troutbirder

Dorothy said...

I'm looking forward to following you here on your new blog. I know it's going to continue to be great.

Betsy from Tennessee said...

Leedra, your talents just keep growing. You are one creative lady. I agree about Photoshop.. I see some pictures online that just don't look real. I'd much rather see a picture that is 'what you see is what you get.'

Keep those great pictures coming!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

Leedra, it is interesting to read about your development as a super photographer. I was glad to read that you do all you do without Photoshop. That simply reinforces my belief that good photos can be taken without it.

lisaschaos said...

I love your fungus! And love how you moved a mile just to get in the birds' territory better. ;)

Shelley said...

You have an artists soul! So many creative talents! So glad we connected.

joan said...

Great blog and photos. I like that you don't play with your photos in photoshop and they are so beautiful. I came over from Photoblog, I'll be back to visit. Nice to meet you.

Tina said...

Leedra,
Enjoyed reading about all your talents. It is interesting to see how so many of us enjoy so many of the same areas of art. I taught ceramics in public school for 35 yrs had my own pottery business and also did stainglass and now I am done with anything that has my hands in water..and I'm into fabrics and blogging. I wish I had your knowledge of the camera and photograhy, you pictures are always so nice..an inspiration for me to just keep going forward. Thanks!

Eve said...

Great bio Leedra...Beautiful picture as well. I'm with ya girl!

Marie (once The Tile Lady) said...

I loved learning more about you, and also reading your thoughts on photography and other things that have touched your life through the years. Your photography is so impressive! Glad you are pursuing it so vigorously! Glad you decided to start this new blog and re-format your others. I wish you great success in 2009! My tiles never got off the ground before the economy got bad, and that's OK....I know it needs to be a hobby. I never expect to sell a painting, and when I do am so excited....the tiles will be the same. There are other things in my life that mean so much to me and that I need to be working on with greater vigor! Just too many wonderful things in this world to do, and too little time to do them!