Pike Place Market

Here are a few shots from my time at Pike Place Market. Any of you that have been there know it is gathering place for many of the interesting characters of our beloved city. It is vibrant and lively and it happens to be one of my favorite places in the world.

When you enlarge this image you can really see the sparkle in the woman's eyes.

Check out those cute shades!

This man was leading a guided tour around Downtown. Here he happened to be providing instructions on how to select an eggplant.

Isn't he a character? I love the top hat. What you cannot see is his adorable dog. She was a pitbull wearing butterfly wings. They made quite a pair.

This weekend I'm off to Ballard and the Seattle Center. My focus for both locations will again be on people. I've got a few things I'd like to try, so we'll see how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

Bellevue Botanical Gardens

These photographs are from the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. If you've never been, this place is beautiful. I only saw a fraction of the gardens and I certainly plan on going back when I have more time! They are the pictures I turned in as my 'homework' for Tuesday's class - Camera Fundamentals. I got some great feedback. What do you think?
Later in the week I will share a few of my images from Pike Place Market. Stay Tuned!

SOOC Sneak Peaks

Here are just a couple SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) sneak peaks from my field trips today! I've got to sit down and work on the rest. Tomorrow. Because today, I'm beat!Pike Place Field Trip 5/16/10. Assignment = Photographing People

Bellevue Botanical Gardens Field Trip 5/16/10. Assignment = Floral/Nature

Thoughts on my first week in the classroom.

Wow.

That pretty much sums it up.

I just finished my first two photography classes (first lecture from each class). I have taken so many notes and already learned so many things. About my camera, art, but especially about myself. There was a moment in my Photographing People class tonight when I was overwhelmed with this feeling of excitement, desire and inspiration. It was while we were watching a video (on VHS by the way, it has been awhile!) about William Allard, a photographer for National Geographic. He was speaking of getting involved with the subjects in your photos. That good pictures are made for you, not for some agenda. They capture connections and emotions and that's extremely hard to capture from a distance. He said that you have to care about the story. You don't have to necessarily like or dislike the story, but you cannot be indifferent. I love the thought of capturing moments and experiences that move me, not just the scene.

I wanted to be sure I remembered that moment I had sitting in the dark classroom watching a short video about the experiences of a man I'd never even heard of before that class. These are the notes I wrote in that dark classroom:

I am inspired.
Influenced.
I feel full and excited. Consumed.
I don't want to do anything else.

That last one is a big one for me. My whole life I've never known what I wanted to be. I've always known I have this creative streak, but I've only dabbled in different things. I have stumbled across this strong pull to photography and I am energized to explore it. It really brings together my other interests; travel, learning, people, challenge, creation, art, design, expression.

I cannot wait for my field trips this Sunday. This is exciting!

School is in Session!

My photography classes start tonight! I cannot express how excited I am to finally be studying photography. Officially. It will mean busy weeks and late nights, but folks, it will be worth it! I just know it.

Wish me luck and brace yourself for more of my photos than you could ever care to see!

Oh, and don't worry, I will remember you few followers when I become famous. Perhaps a special mention in my first coffee table book? Yes? I thought you might like that...

I'm Officially a Student!

I have registered for my first ever photography class! Two, actually. I cannot tell you how excited I am to get some schooling. I love learning and am excited to dive further into my new passion. I will be attending classes two nights a week, plus Sunday field trips, starting in May.

The two classes I am taking are Camera Fundamentals: A Basic Workshop, and Photographing People. CF will focus on the basic settings and usage of my dSLR. I am really looking forward to Photographing People. I love taking portraits, of people and animals, and learning the do's and don'ts will be really helpful!

As is always the case in school, the field trips sound like the best part! Each class has three. I will get to visit Pike Place, Ballard, Woodland Park Zoo, Bellevue Botanical Gardens, Seattle Center, and the Seattle waterfront. YAY!

Can you tell I'm excited??

I hope to have some pictures up from last weekends adventures. I've got some practicing to do!