What can I say, I LOVE TAKING PHOTOS ! There is beauty in everything, you just have to stop and look.

Flickr.com is the first photo website I've joined to share my own photos and I have to say it has been a tremendous amount of fun. Thanks to everyone that shares their beautiful photography on this site.

My first camera was a Polaroid Instant B&W, the kind that you pulled the photo out, waited a bit then peeled the backing off. And yes, I waved it in the air thinking it helped the developing process, LOL. I was 12 yrs old, it was a birthday gift.

At 16 I took a photography class and learned how to work in a darkroom developing B&W. I used a Yashica FX-3 SLR w/ standard and telephoto lenses. Don't laugh, I improvised a macro lens by using the front lense of binoculars held in front of the other lenses, difficult to focus but it worked. ~OK, you can laugh now~

I've gone through several point and shoot cameras over the years, taken lots of pictures, once in a while I capture a shot that stands out, often by accident. One of my favorite cameras was the Yashica D twin lens camera. There is nothing automatic about that camera. In 2002 I got my first digital camera, a Canon PowerShot SD100 and I wore it out.

I currently use a Kodak Z710 and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8, They were both birthday gifts and my friends call me CLICKIT because I usually always have a camera with me at all times. I'm continuously learning and trying new things with my photo taking. I probably shoot 95 percent of my shots free handed (no tripod) its a challenge to get a sharp photo especially as windy as it is in Oklahoma. Frustrating at times? Yes ! But a since of accomplishment when I do get a good shot. The tripod thing will change when I delve into the HDR though.

Someone made a comment on one of my photos that my FZ8 was a D80 wanna-be. Well I don't think that capturing a good shot is all about what camera you use. It's not like I'm working for National Geographic or anything. If I wanted it to be a D80 it would be a D80. OK ! I feel better now, LOL.

PS If Nikon would like to send me a D80 to try I'm open to that ! LOL or Canon or ....

Thanks to all that view and comment, I hope at least one of my photos makes your day a little bit better.

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