Hi. how's it going? :D

It's so nice of you to stop by.

Firstly:

My pictures are copywrited for my personal use only. Ask my permission if you would like to use one of them ... i may be generous.

And now that that's out of the way:

So, really, how'd i end up here?

I was lucky enough to get a half-decent camera in 2007 (my previous one being my cell phone!). Then i discovered flickr in and have learned TONS. My style is really varied - i still love to experiment. That said, i'm 100% envious of people who know exactly how to get what they want from their pictures. But then, getting there is actually half the fun! (Although, with photography, it might be more fun if money and time weren't limited.

Ultimately I'm here to learn, and to be inspired to pick up my camera and shoot.

I've always deep down loved art, but i was never good at drawing, never much into drama and the likes, and photography was far too expensive for me when i had more time to explore it. My only way to express myself in art was through music. Don't get me wrong, i'm not unhappy about that - I love music. I listen to it and make it as often as i can. When playing music, one can create the same song to be something completely unique every time because even though the written music may never change, it's what else the artist adds or subtracts each time. Notes and sounds can allow you to communicate and express so much more than images. They say 'a picture is worth a thousand words', but sometimes to me a few notes are worth a thousand pictures.

But, that said and out of the way, in discovering photography I tapped into another way of creating, a new dimension, if you will. It was truly a breath of fresh air when new, and still gives me such satisfaction to see something in my mind and try and capture it in a picture. For me, being able to be a part of the flickr community has been something truly refreshing. While I love your comments, mostly i feed on your hard work. Your photos challenge me to push myself and keep growing. I hope my photos convey the freshness that i feel as i experiment and tinker with the art.

If i add you as a contact, it's because your stream has really caught my eye, i want to see more of your stuff, i like your style, and probably wish i had your mad skills (or i know you! haha). I hope you take that as a compliment =P (I like to think my taste is pretty decent). Should you feel so inclined, feel free to add me as a contact, and i will most-likely reciprocate.

That said, however, I will be very rigorous at checking profiles and any commenters to make sure there's no porn or the likes ... my tolerances are pretty low. (not my standards ... my tolerances - you follow?) ... so, please, save yourself the trouble and don't add me/comment if this applies to you.

Also, please ... keep your comments PG ... i know that may sound odd to a lot of people, but i'd like to keep this all-ages-friendly. I'm really sorry if i feel i have to delete a comment of yours, but ... well, it's my page actually, so i shouldn't have to feel sorry. I suppose what i intend to say is that i don't mean to offend you if i get rid of a comment, i'm just monitoring my pages. Thanks.

Lastly, I don't want to join all the groups on flickr, so please, don't bother inviting me - if i'm interested, chances are i'll find it myself. As i said, i'm just here to learn and share a bit. i don't seek fame on flickr ... because ... well, in my opinion there are many better ways to feel satisfied in life. i'm into those. now on the other hand, even though i like to think that i'd still be here posting pics even if no one was watching me do it, i know that's kinda unlikely. meh. there's exceptions to every rule.

Derek