One request: Please do NOT place "awards" (or any other other graphics) in comments on my photos. I appreciate the thought, but I feel they create too much clutter; I delete any that are put in comments.

My photography web site: www.jeffcraig.net

If you use Twitter, I am at: twitter.com/jeffphotos

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I caught the photography bug from my father, who took photos for many years, generally of family activities. Since starting to take photos myself, I've realized I love it because the possibilities of what can be captured are endless, and I want to explore those possibilities.

My most common subjects for photos are elements of nature. I have a great appreciation for the amazing beauty and variety of things that grow from the ground. I can't seem to grow anything myself (believe me, I've tried!), so photographing what grows naturally or has been grown by others is my way of expressing that appreciation. I also try to photograph animals.

I have been interested in nature photography for many, many years. I recall one of the houses I grew up in had a sweetgum tree in the back yard. During my teenage years I gave myself a project to take a series of photos of the stages the tree cycled through each year:

-Growing leaves

-The leaves turning various colors

-Leaves dropping from the tree

-The tree having bare limbs

-Growing leaves again

...and so on

I remember feeling very satisfied when I completed that series of pictures.

My photos are usually not heavily processed outside of the camera; I normally prefer the subject of a photo speak to the viewer on its own merits.