Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved taking photographs. I observed my Dad often behind a camera and enjoyed seeing his photographic creations after they were processed. Those were the days of film cameras. My first camera was a very simple black plastic film camera with no flash except for those silver disposable flashes that you could by at the grocery store. From an early age, I began chronicling my life in photographs.
When I was a teenager, I took a huge step up in the camera world when my parents bought me my first fully automatic film camera with built in flash. I was very careful to plan my shots so as not to waste film. After I completed a roll of film, I could hardly wait to get it back from the camera store. It was a developing hobby and I can remember being thrilled when I captured 2 great portraits of each of my Granny and Grandpa on their 40th wedding anniversary.
That automatic camera went everywhere with me… to summer vacations, high school graduation, university frosh week, student exchanges to Spain, and then finally onto a post university work term in Kenya, and even to my wedding day! It served me for eight years and so it was a sad day when it ceased to work no more. However, this gave me the great opportunity to buy my first ever Canon SLR camera with fully manual capabilities. It would be on this camera that I would capture the birth of Jeremy and Abby, and their growing up years. The photos I was able to take with this camera were richer and clearer… even if I never really ventured from the automatic mode.
Our first iMac computer necessitated the switch to digital photography. A small Fuji camera became the family camera. My poor film camera becoming an antique. How I loved being able to instantly see the photo I had captured. No more waiting for the film to be developed. I could also take as many photos as I wanted without having to worry about the cost of film and processing. The photo of me holding a child wrapped in a red blanket that had just been abandoned at the door of an orphanage was taken on our first trip to South Africa in 2008 with that first little digital Fuji camera! I love being able to look back and remember.
Throughout all these years, I found I really did go in photo snapping stages. I would capture important events and milestones. I was forever being mocked by family members for my insistence on capturing the memorable “group” photo for each event. Everyone had to put on their best smiles and stand completely still for 5 – 10 minutes. It just about drove my brother crazy every time. I felt that I had reached a photographic wall.
Naturally, whatever you decide and involve may influence precisely what your current other choices are generally associated with your fashion linked with buy viagra http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/wp-content/plugins/leaflet-maps-marker/leaflet-fullscreen.php?layer=0 sport you will definitely participate in. In some of the cases, inhibited as well as premature ejaculationWORKING :Super P-Force (Sildenafil Citrate 100 milligrams + Dapoxetine 60mg) contains 100mg of Sildenafil Citrate as well as 60mg of Dapoxetine. lowest priced viagra This cheap cialis pamelaannschoolofdance.com drug takes at least 45 minutes before starting lovemaking. This helps adult males to realize and keep an erectile. viagra no prescription should ideally be got about an hour prior to sexual activity or around 30 minutes before. That all changed when we visited South Africa for our first short term trip to Seed of Hope. I took so many photos on that little Fuji that I think I damaged its lens shutter. I’m sure the mechanics of the camera were smoking. Something awakened in me that trip. I developed a desire to photograph the image of God in people. I was only able to articulate this when a South African friend of mine shared about her vision of the Imago Dei (image of God) being revealed in people. Thanks Karen! It helped me understand while I felt compelled sometimes to take a shot.
While the digital technology was fantastic on this Fuji camera, I missed looking through the viewfinder of my SLR and being able to compose a shot. I tried a small Kodak SLR and started to experiment with different apertures and shutter speeds. My dream however was to own a digital SLR. We were able to make that possible in our transition to living in South Africa full-time. The sale of our house and much of our stuff facilitated an investment in a Canon DSLR.
Much of my almost 2 years in South Africa has been learning more about the art of photography and how to capture the world and reflect God’s image. I tell you all this because I have often wondered how God can use this passion of mine (see blog entry “My Introduction to Gogo Grace“). If you want to see a movie that grapples with issues facing photographers then check out “The Bang Bang Club.” I need to warn you that there is a lot of graphic and disturbing violence in the movie and the language and sexuality content requires an adult rating. However, it is an excellent portrayal of how images can change or not change the world and it explores some South African history.
Most significantly for me, taking photographs helps me to become a better observer of the world. It helps me to slow down and see things I never noticed before. It helps me remember faces and stories. So, I think for as long as I am able, it will be part of the essential fabric of my life!
KW