I'm an amateur photo-taker. I don't know too much about photography. What i do know is that I am a visually inclined individual who enjoys framing the best moments in my life to posterity. I am one of those idealists who believe that magic can happen at anytime barring the details of fstops/shutterspeeds/metering modes/ and aperature values. This isn't to say I don't understand the technical detaisl of their workings. Rather it is my belief that photography is about opportunity and immersing oneself in said given opportunities in life.

I started photographing more earnestly this past year because I was dealt a detriment to my health. I promise you I am not dying nor am I looking to. Suffice to say that I did have my life perspective altered as my boundaries narrowed.

My first camera was a Polaroid Sx-70.

www.flickr.com/photos/mfspeccoll/4668977483/

I remember discarding flash bulb cartridges and the wonderful feel of the metal and leather case that folded conveniently away. Fast forward about 20 years and instant cameras from kodak, fujifilm, and others and I arrived at my first digital camera a Fujifilm Finepix 40i. An awesome 4.3 megapixel camera with cool music playing capabilities. Fast forward again and i'm a proud consumer of an ultra portable Minolta DiMageXg, and at a poorer interval a Lumix LZ7 with a bulky plastic case. So as you can see, I am no groomed auteur. I am or was one of those everyday point-and-click shooters.

This is my first personal foray into a more serious camera. I have a Panasonic Lumix GF1 with a 20mm f1.7 pancake lens and a 45-200mm Lumix G Vario f4.0-5.6 lens. I chose this camera combination over a proper traditional DSLR for many reasons, chiefly because I don't want to be caught dead with a bulky camera and because of my preferred shooting settings. Price wasn't the issue as I could have saved a good $200-300 buying a Pentax k7, Rebel Xti, or Nikon D40-80. Portability and looks were ... frankly. I guess I haven't quite outgrown the whole consumer mindset. But in actuality, having a smaller camera like this has really opened alot of shooting doors that I know a larger camera would've been too conspicuous or too bulky/inconvenient.

I sincerely want to get better. So i appreciate any and all positive or negative comments to my shots. I'm here to learn and grow with you all.