POTD - SO much fun! Thanks for the inspiration!

[esther_a]

I used to love photography - back in the 80s! I had an SLR. And I had time! I even developed my own b&w negatives occasionally. Along came the kids and although I had so much worth photographing I didn't seem to have much time! Very sad, really. I only came (DD) here because I wanted to do something with the photos I HAD taken that were languishing in a drawer or in a folder on my computer.
But what I found were LOs with artistic photos or with beautiful portraits, and great everyday photos. So having been inspired by all the great photography, I bought my DSLR a year ago and this year I've started the POTD. It's as though I've come full circle, but with my DSLR it is a whole new ballgame and it is SO much fun!! I've had a mini-revelation almost every day. Oh, if only I'd had a DSLR and the DD Flickr thread and Katrina back in 1990...!

[anke]

you are funny but it's so true. I wish I had learned about photography a long time ago, boy the things I would know by now! It's so much fun and so rewarding. Everything looks different now.... POTD is an awesome challenge I agree

[echogirl]

I was just going to post the very same thing Esther!!
I love love love POTD. Everyone has been so encouraging and the photos are all so remarkable. It inspires me daily and it's now something I think about all the time. Even when I don't have my camera I'm thinking about things all around me and composing and framing. I would definitely not be doing it if I hadn't been inspired by all the 365 los last year and the DD flickr group. Katrina also deserves a big shout out for all her work!
Thank you Everyone!
Doris (32/365 and counting!!)

[katrinak]

Can I just say thank you. That's it...because anything else will make me cry.

[hendon]

I agree!!! I started 365 this year (although I'm already behind on my posts at flickr ) and I just love it! It's too early to say I've improved, but I've rediscovered my passion for taking photos, and the comments I've received at flickr are what's kept me going! I'm so impressed I've made it to 32 days (I'm not saying it wasn't a struggle sometimes ). So thank you all for you support and encouragement.

[amcmillian]

I totally agree Esther, I used to love to take pictures and somehow life became so busy with the kids and work and I really wish I had kept it up. My stepmother even bought me a really nice pentax back in the late 80's and sadly I never learned how to use it, it is in my closet now, I don't even know if it works. Anyways I'm glad I found DD and Katrina and all you wonderful and talented ladies. Everyone has been so sweet, encouraging and a huge inspiration. I wanted to do POTD last year so bad that on Jan 1 I rode around my neighborhood looking for something to take a photo of, didn't like anything I came up with and pretty much gave up the first day. With my children being grown now and me pretty much living a boring life I didn't think I would be able to do it. Watching so many folks 365 last year and seing their books at the end convinced me that I would do it this year no matter what. A lot of days are very challenging for me, but it has opened my eyes and I see many more things around me. And a lot of times I see stuff but don't take the photo because I'm so self-conscious about who will see me and if they will wonder what I am doing. I'm hoping to get over that soon, cause I know I'm probably missing some great shots. Some days I have no idea what to take a photo of but I find something and then other days I have so many and don't know which to choose.

I'm gonna stop rambling now and just say, I'm learning lots and I'm having lots of fun and the 365 actually has got me scrapping more. So thank you Katrina for all the photography tips, posts, chats and classes. And thanks to everyone for your wonderful comments, encouragement and inspiration!

[Aino]

What an inspiring thread!! It is all so true -

I am having a hard time keeping up the POTD. In the early morning I just don't find the spirit nor the time in between getting myself and everyone out of the house.
And we generally get back late in the afternoon, and then there is (at least now in winter) not enough light, and I can't find the motivation to shoot inside with a flash nor find something new to shoot everyday.
I am finding it hard, but it is inspiring to see you all doing so well and improving. I am finding that my photography has hit a wall, but I am not giving up. Just trying to re-focus.

[Amson]

Esther, I am similar. I bought my first slr in 1982 and pre children took many photos particularly when travelling. But with children and stuck in an abusive relationship, there are very few photos of the girls for about the first 13 years of their lives. I have always loved photography and experimenting and the joy that the 365 flickr group here brings on a daily basis is something I truly cherish.

So what am I doing now that I have joined the group:
1. Shooting in Raw
2. Purchased lightroom which I could play with all day. (Works well for my scanned slides which date back to 1982)
3. Just loving the photo a day and experimenting.
4. Learning so much just by looking at other photos. And my skills are slowly improving.

Thanks so much Katrina.