Ex Virtual Photographer

[Andrew]

Sorry for the long intro.....I got carried away.

More years ago than I care to think about I got into photography and learned what I could from books and experimenting. I was quite active for a few years and actually wore out the shutter on a Nikon FM. The only course I took was on B&W darkroom which I did quite a bit of as well. Family and work took priority and everything got sold or put away.(So did the motorcycle. A guy thing I guess). After a few years I tried to pick it up again and always had an F3 handy but didn't get back to the level of activity I had previously enjoyed. Getting closer to retirement and a son with a BA in photography the urge came back. With the digital world upon us, my wife bought me a new DSLR for some further motivation. Through my communication career I've kept pace with the applicable technology but dam, going from a fully manual photo process to what this baby does is truely staggering. I've read the manual cover to cover and used it for reference many times. I've got third party manuals dog-eared, shelves full of how to books that I've actually read and also been on a zillion web sites during the last year. I'm pretty sure I've got the basics of the camera in hand but spent so much time learning that my wife calls me "The Virtual Photographer". I'm from Calgary Alberta and for family reasons recently had the opportunity to semi-retire to Victoria BC . I made a concerted effort to grab the camera often and have gotten to the point where the camera comes out with me every time we go to town or for a drive. I don't always take photos but it's always there. So, the next step for me is to improve the creative side of the craft which I believe will be a huge challenge as I'm not that artistically inclined. During the last year I've looked at many of the photography forums and while there are a few good ones around, I chose photography.ca to get active in for purely selfish reasons. I've really liked what I've seen regarding the general attitude, input and feedback of the senior members and the more active submitters. (Must be the .ca factor.) I'm here to learn, develop, and hopefully get to a point where I too can contribute. And I'm going to use you to get there.

[Bambi]

HI Andrew
welcome!!! I hope you find what you are needing here.

[QuietOne]

Hi, Andrew. Don't worry, you aren't the only one who gave photography up for one reason or another. Just put some of your pictures up and laugh at our puns. We promise to "ooh" and "aah" in all the right places for the first, and be pleased with your keen sense of humor for the second.

[casil403]

Welcome Andrew from a former ex-pat Victorian...born and raised.

[Bambi]

Welcome Andrew from a former ex-pat Victorian...born and raised.

and we don't hold it against her at all

[Marko]

welcome Andrew! Glad you choose our forum (for purely selfish reasons LOL)
nah just kidding - glad to have you aboard!

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Andrew, Welcome to the forum. Your living in a beautiful city and I'm just across the water in Port Angeles, WA. Explore, explore, explore! Come up with your own "Pesonal Projects" and work on them contsantly. Here is a photographer I came apond just recently, Fan Ho, be inspired.
Modernbook - Fan Ho

Best regards, Ernst

[Andrew]

Thanks all for the welcome. I shall try to keep busy posting when I get something worthy and contribute where I can.

[Peter]

Welcome Andrew from a true new be.