Photographyreview: The People

[walterick]

Hello Viewfinderites!

It's been a long time since we've had a "getting to know you" thread up here. In the interest of exploring the diversity of our members and putting a face to a name here's a current "who's who" thread for your looking and reading enjoyment!

An example:

Name:
Walter "Rick" Long

Meaning of handle (if it's not obvious):
a chick friend in college took to calling me "Walterick" I kinda liked it so I brought it back later

Dorky PR club I belong to (if any):
Nikon Samurai #4 baby!

Location:
Oakton, VA about 20 miles west of Washington, DC - moving to Phoenix this summer!

Born:
Fairfax, VA, about a mile down the road from here

Other places I've lived:
San Francisco, California and the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

Like to Retire:
San Diego, South America, or anywhere the weather's warm and the pictures are pretty

Ethnicity:
white as white can be! Roots in Germany/Poland and Britain

Marriage/Family:
nope and nope

Languages I speak:
English and a little Spanish

Education:
BS, Psychology; MA Culture and Spirituality; HMT (Holistic Massage Therapist), currently working on MA in Counseling

Occupation:
Carpenter/Remodeler

Religious affiliation (if any): not really affiliated with any one religion. But I like Spiritualism, Hinduism, and Buddhism

Political affiliation (if any): to borrow a phrase from a poster on Craigslist I'm a "little left of a bed-wetting liberal"

Other hobbies: Woodworking, hiking, camping, astronomy, guitar, school (learning), ballroom dance, and... getting into the stock market recently

How long I have been a photographer:
5 years

First "real" camera:
Minolta X-700

How I found Photographyreview.com:
I was searching for reviews of the Nikon 8008s ans this site popped up. Once I found the Viewfinder I was hooked!

Date I joined PR (sometimes people's listed join date is innacurate):
January of 2001

Favorite forum:
Viewfinder

Photogatherings I have attended:
San Francisco, Colorado, New York x2

Favorite subjects:
Landscape/People/Wildlife/Macro/Astrophotography

Current Gear:
35mm
Nikon baby!
Nikon 8008s (af)
Nikon FM2N (mf)

35mm 2.0
50mm 1.8
105mm 2.5
180mm 2.8
Sigma 24mm 2.8
Sigma 28-105
2x teleconverter

Medium Format:
Mamiya 645 Pro TL (new to me and I'm still learning it!)
45mm 2.8 (28mm equiv)
55mm 2.8 (35mm equiv)
80mm 2.8 (50mm equiv)
105mm 2.8 (90mm equiv)

Digital:
Nikon Coolpix point and shoot
Lexar 256

Camera I use the most:
Coolpix

Why I prefer film or digital:
I prefer the look of film to digital but I prefer the convenience of digital to film

What I like about Photographyreview.com:
The people! We are the coolest bunch on the web! I like the tone and the atmosphere of the place. We are helpful and fun, without being pandering or overly critical. I have met Photo-John and several of the PR members and I like who they are as people. I look forward to meeting many more!

What I am trying to accomplish with my photography:
What I am ultimately trying to do is bring out of the incredibleness of nature and show people "Look! This is what you can go find!" I want people to return to nature and find the real beauty there. But I also take snapshots because I am bored of course and like everyone else here I am also the "dedicated photographer" at family gatherings.

A few of my favorite pictures:
School bus taken with Sigma 24mm 2.8 on Velvia 50

Stars at Arches taken with Sigma 24mm on Reala

United States flag taken on Sept 11, 2002 with 35-135 zoom on Velvia 50

And last, a picture of me.

Thanks for joining!

[DownByFive]

Okay, what the heck...

Name: Marc

Meaning of Handle: I can't remember...

PR Clubs: Nikon Samurai

Location: Moscow, ID (August - May) Coeur d'Alene, ID (May - August)

Born: Coeur d'Alene, ID

Other places lived: Malta (for a year)

Like to retire: the Mediterranean

Marriage: are you kidding?

Languages: English and some German

Education: B.A. History, B.S. Political Science (graduation in May!!)

Occupation: student, and part-time at the library

Religion/Politics: I'm from Idaho...take a guess

Here are some of my favorite photos, not because of their photographic qualities, but because of the memories...Of course that's me on the left in the last one...

[almo]

Okay I'm game...

Name: John

The nick: almo, everybody thinks it is my real name, but in truth I took it off the back of a Lazlo Bane cd.

Main interests: Ummmm...Photography of course, but equally I am into herptiles (read as amphibians and reptiles). Pythons and boas are my main passion in that catagory. I'm also an advid nature nut. I love birds, though not as pets. Come on you gotta have something you like to see wild and free! I'm also into computers, reading, music, and *looks at the celing* mountian biking...

Mian photo equipment: Canon EOS D30, Canon EF 28-80mm, Quantaray 70-300mm lenses. Sunpak flash, Sunpack QSX3200 Lightwieght tripod, and a nameless monopod.

Mian Film equipment: Pentax ME Super, cpc auto 28mm, SMC Pentax-M 50mm, SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm macro zoom, Beck 135mm lenses. Star-D Auto 2x teleconverter, Now don't laugh.... Sears auto thyristor swivel head flash.

My main photo intrest is in documenting the natural world around me. I live in a great place for this pursuit. Equally I love to document the city I live in, Jacksonville Florida, its people, and landscape. I also like to play with digital effects in Photoshop, and abstractions.

At this time I have no occupation, but that doesn't mean that i don't keep myself occupied. I am a volunteer with a local nature center, where I get to play with the animals and comune with nature all day long....

I am also the gallery Moderator, and [url="http:/forums.photographyreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27"]Digital Cameras-General[url] Co-Moderator for this here neat lil' website.

Lets see here, I am American by birth, Southern by the grace of God. I have a formal education from the school of hard knocks, and a P.H.D. in getting my ass kicked. I'm 25, but due to a strange imbalance of juices in my brain I have the the mental maturity of a middle aged adult, and the attention span of a fly. Lucky for me I am on a new medication for the attention span thing, but I am just doomed to be hoplessly boring.

I love this website, and I have an odd tendency to cut myself. Not because I want to of course, it just seems to happen alot.

Well there it is,

almo


A digital abstraction


My best bud! Boa constrictor constrictor.



This is one I took in my capacity as a photographer for the parks and recreation dept.


Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura


My mom and dad.


And one of me looking as thuggish As I could muster. The red lighting was a dismal attempt at alternitive lighting. Ohwell at least I didn't do it in photoshop.

[92135011]

Name's Mark
age 21 in University studying Biology in the faculty of science at UBC
I have one camera - my precious Leica M4
With that I have one lens - my precious 35mm f/2 summicron ASPH
My 50 summilux f1.4 got stolen - waiting for the insurance claim
I only shoot at these 2 focal lengths in 35mm. I wish to expand to medium format and acquire a 80mm (50mm equivalent) and 150mm (90mm equivalent). Then I'm complete. I'm not really a big fan of super telephoto cuz I dont like photographing sports (makes my head spin watching sports through a camera) and definately not wildlife. Plus super telephoto shots of people are not very interesting.

Other interest also includes my audio collection. single ended triode tube amp, directly heated triodes 8WPC stereo. Spins vinyl from classical to rock and plays CDs as well. Built the amp myself and am very proud of it. BTW, to those of you who look down on 8WPC saying that its not enough power...I assure everyone that 8WPC is enough power for any efficient or ultra efficient speaker!

[Michael Fanelli]

Name:
Michael Fanelli

Location:
Perryville, MD

Born:
Brooklyn, NYC

Other places I've lived:
All over the US

Like to Retire:
Western North Carolina

Marriage/Family:
no/no

Languages I speak:
English

Education:
MS Physics

Occupation:
Part Time Teacher

Religious affiliation:
Devil Worship

Political affiliation (if any):
Politicians should be forced to dress up at work as circus clowns. Truth in adverstising and all. Obviously, no affiliation.

Other hobbies:
Hiking

How long I have been a photographer:
Since the 1970s.

First "real" camera:
Yashica Electro-35 GSN

How I found Photographyreview.com:
Web search zillions of years ago.

Date I joined PR (sometimes people's listed join date is innacurate):
Too far back to remember.

Favorite forum:
Most of them

Photogatherings I have attended:
Two Denver gatherings

Favorite subjects:
Landscape and Wildlife

Current Gear:
Canon EOS Digital
Canon S400 P&S

Why I prefer film or digital:
Digital gives me the full control I have always longed for since I started in photography.

[Axle]

Name: Alex 'Axle' Luyckx

Meaning of handle: It was a nickname I picked up at my time working for McDonalds. The reason I have it is simply because at the time there were two Alex's on staff. So one got captain nemo, I got Axle.

Dorky PR club I belong to (if any):
Minolta Warrior #1


Location: Milton, Ontario, Canada

Born: Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Other places I've lived: My old high school, Sheridan College

Like to Retire: Northren Ontario, Peterborough, Aurora

Ethnicity: Both parents are from Dutch backgrounds.

Marriage/Family: Not married.

Languages I speak: English & Computer

Education: High School, Currently working on my Systems Anaylsist diploma.

Occupation: Student/IT Support

Lifestyle: Christian

Religious affiliation (if any): Presbyterian

Political affiliation (if any): nope.

Other hobbies: reading, writing, Lego, Computers

How long I have been a photographer: 4 years seriously, but I've always been taking pictures.

First "real" camera: Minolta Hi-Matic 7s

How I found Photographyreview.com: Running a search for information on my SRT-102.

Date I joined PR: December '04

Favorite forum: Viewfinder

Favorite subjects: landscape, cars, people, action

Current Gear: Minolta SRT-102 :: Rokkor MC 50mm, Solinger 200mm telephoto, Vivitar 85mm-205mm telezoom, Vivitar 2800 flash.

Digital: HP Photosmart 320

Camera I use the most: SRT - 102

I'm the guy in the first picture. For more of my photo work goto: http://luyckxnet.no-ip.org/luyckx_tk/photos.html

[Lthlwpn1979]

Name: Michael Riggs

Meaning of handle: Nickname I got in high school track. I resemble Mel Gibson's character Martin Riggs in the movie Lethal Weapon. That is, if he was short, skinny, and his ears stuck out. Born in 1979. Bet you didn't see that one coming.

Dorky PR club I belong to (if any): None, I'm might be too dorky.

Location: West Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Born: 9,2,79 Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Other places I've lived: Southern California (if you count military life).

Like to Retire: Someplace where my hayfever won't be a problem.

Ethnicity: English, Irish, German, Norwegan, Cherokee (only in America).

Marriage/Family: Not married. (Hint, I'm available!!!)

Languages I speak: English, Redneck English-required when visiting family in Missouri.

Education: BS in Business Management from Upper Iowa University '04.

Occupation: Imaging Specialist

Lifestyle: Lone Wolf

Religious affiliation (if any): Methodist

Political affiliation (if any): When I find one that works I'll let you know.

Other hobbies: Running, mountain hiking, drinking, started in on stock investments.

How long I have been a photographer: 5 years, right after my first trip to Yellowstone.

First "real" camera: Canon Rebel 2000.

How I found Photographyreview.com: Looking for a review on some gear. When I found the site a ray of light shun down from Heaven and I then knew the answers lay here.

Date I joined PR: A while ago.

Favorite forum: None, but the review section is top notch. Have not found another one like it.

Favorite subjects: Wildlife, landscape, macro

Current Gear:
35mm:
Canon Elan 7E
Canon Rebel 2000 for backup
Canon 28-105mm
Canon 70-300mm IS
Sigma 170-500mm (soon to be replaced by Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG and 2x converter)

Medium Format:
Pentax 645
Pentax 55mm
Pentax 120 macro
Pentax 200mm
Pentacon 500mm f/5.6

Jobu Black Widow gimbal tripod head (AWSOME for the long, heavy lenses)

Film or Digital: I shoot film because I know my systems well and use them effectively. Different films have different characteristics and their own feel to them. Plus, it seems like the digital aspect of photography is becoming more of a fad than art because there is a new "I gotta-have that" something every other month. I put emphases on the work, not the gear. Think about this, cover shots of Playboy are shot with an 8x10.

Camera I use the most: Elan 7E

26 years old and I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life. I don't want to be stuck in a cubical the rest of my days and 6 years in the Marines was enough. No real photography market in Des Moines unless I get into the wedding business, not my first choice. Maybe I should just hook up with a rich girl, yeah that's it!

[six.two.six]

Name: Mark Barber

Meaning of handle: six.two.six = the first three digits of a Blockhouse Bay telephone number (where I grew up) and a tattoo I have on the inside of my right arm

Dorky PR club I belong to (if any): um, Pass.

Location: West Auckland, New Zealand

Born: 28 Feb 1980

Other places I've lived: Sydney, Australia

Like to Retire: Santorini, Greece

Ethnicity: 6th generation New Zealander, and thats saying something considering we arent even 200 years old!.

Marriage/Family: Unmarried

Languages I speak: English.

Education: Highschool

Occupation: Photographer and photographers assistant

Lifestyle: ahahahah, fast and loose

Religious affiliation (if any): None

Political affiliation (if any): None

Other hobbies: Skateboarding, tattoos, geneology, travelling, motorsport, drinking

How long I have been a photographer: 3 years as a job, 6 all up..

First "real" camera: Pentax MZ50, then a Nikon F4s, then a Fuji Finepix S2pro, then a D2x

How I found Photographyreview.com: Google!

Date I joined PR: 22May

Favorite forum: This one!

Favorite subjects: Action and Landscape

Current Gear:
Nikon D2x
Nikkor 50mm f1.8
Nikkor 16mm f2.8 fisheye
Nikkor 18-35mm f3.5-4.5
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S VR
Nikkor 105mm Micro

SB80DX Speedlite
Sunpak Ring Flash

Manfrotto Legs

Film or Digital: Digital, because its what my clients require of me, and it suits the work I do.

Camera I use the most: D2x

What am I trying to accomplish?

I just want to make a living doing what I love, its that simple. However, I do want to become a fulltime WRC photog...so yeah, that.

[natatbeach]

Name:
Natalie Susan Holl

Meaning of handle (if it's not obvious):
nat(me)at(always have been)beach(always lived by one until now)

PR club I belong to (if any):
Nikon Samurai and Self portraitist Club of America
(title passed on to Adina because she said she wanted the crown)

Location:
Methuen,MA

Born:
San Juan , Puerto Rico (see I've always been some type of PRian---and no I didn't think PReview stood for Puerto Rico Review )

Other places I've lived:
Virginia Beach,VA Arlington,VA Albuquerque,NM Santa FE,NM

Like to Retire:
realistically: Texas, Florida, New Mexico in that order
unrealistically: Spain or Hawaii

Ethnicity:
See born in section...mutt probably

Marriage/Family:
married for 5 years, three kids that live with us (Joe 15, Caleb 3.5, Anastasia 2.5)
kids that live elsewhere-(Chris 13, Elizabeth 10)


Languages I speak:
English and Spanish, toddler, teen

Education:
Associates in Advertising/Design and hope to pursue a bachelor's in theology starting in the fal 2005l or spring 2006

Occupation:
mother, photographer, cake decorator

Religious affiliation (if any):non-denominational Christian,
all depends on what your take is on it

Political affiliation (if any): bible-thumper-jesus

Other hobbies: (on hold till I get my knees repaired) soccer, dancing(any), fineart (painintg,drawing,etc), sharing my faith with people, shoveling snow

How long I have been a photographer:
started when I was 15 (18 years ago) left it for awhile and started back up two years ago.

First "real" camera:
Kodak Disc thing

How I found Photographyreview.com:
looking at photo related sites and tossing around the idea of getting back into photography actively

Date I joined PR
August(?) 2002

Favorite forum:
Viewfinder,Studio and Lighting

Photogatherings I have attended:
New York and Chicago and HELLO RICK! Boston(mini)

Favorite subjects:
People/Maternity/wedding/abstracts/bodyscapes

Current Gear:
Nikon D70, Canon powershot A75,Pentax K1000
Assorted lenses taht I don't at all know off the top of my head and are packed due to the move

Why I prefer film or digital:
I prefer the look of film to digital but I prefer the convenience of digital to film

What I like about Photographyreview.com:
One of the few sites where it doesn't get trashy and vulgar and offensive(most of the time) unless people posts pics of the butt cheeks and if they weren't so nice it might be offensive;)

What I am trying to accomplish with my photography:
To get the shots on my memory card (exposures and such) to the point where I don't have to mess with them in PS...

A few of my favorite pictures:








just backed up my fles will dig through to find my favorite self portrait

[adina]

Name:
adina

Meaning of handle (if it's not obvious):
um....that's me

Dorky PR club I belong to (if any):
Reigning self-portraitist....and I'd hardly call that dorky!!

Location:
southeastern WI

Born:
Illinios

Other places I've lived:
various parts of WI

Like to Retire:
no place in particular, it's a long way off

Ethnicity:
bit of this, bit of that

Marriage/Family:
yup and yup

Languages I speak:
English

Education:
really, is anyone ever done learning?

Occupation:
Whatever needs to be done.....

Religious affiliation (if any): firm believer in the "what goes around comes around" theory.

Political affiliation (if any): I"m with the "dress 'em up like clowns" plan..... I guess fairly liberal, all things considered.

Other hobbies: hmmm...a little bit of this and that. Right now, most of our spare time goes toward things we can do as a family.

How long I have been a photographer:
Depends, do you mean how long have I had a camera? Or how long I've gotten halfway decent results?

First "real" camera:
rebel 2k

How I found Photographyreview.com:
yahoo search, I think

Date I joined PR (sometimes people's listed join date is innacurate):
Joined in 2001, just had my second baby.

Favorite forum:
Viewfinder

Photogatherings I have attended:
Chicago twice

Favorite subjects:
children...mine or someone else's....doesn't really matter.

Current Gear:
20d
10d
rebel 2k

50 mm f/1.8 (which is what I use 90% of the time)
70-200 mm f/4
28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

Camera I use the most:
20d

Why I prefer film or digital:
There is nowhere near me that develops, so digital it is. Plus I think that I've gotten much better since I went digital, not afraid to shoot more, and I can see what works and what doesn't right away. But when I have more time and space, I'm going to try processing my own b&w.

What I like about Photographyreview.com:
Variety of interest/ages/stages/goals. Everyone isn't trying to do the same thing. And everyone (okay, those I've met) have been just as nice in person as they are online.

What I am trying to accomplish with my photography:
When everyone else whips out the photos of thier kids, I want mine to be the best It helps of course, that my kids are so good looking...
Seriously, time goes by so quickly. When I am old, I want to be able to look back at photos I've taken over the years, and remember the moment, not the outfit. And I'd like the girls to be able to do the same.


adina

[adina]

whoops.....

[adina]

Almo I love that one of your parents!

[almo]

Almo I love that one of your parents!

Thanks Adina! I was just about to reply to your photos when I saw this.

I really like the first 2. The first being my favorite, it's a classic. I can really feel the love and friendship between sisters in the second one. Nice work!

almo

[walterick]

Ahem. Ms Self-portraitist Queeny-thingey. I think there was supposed to be a picture of yourself in there?

[adina]

Ahem. Ms Self-portraitist Queeny-thingey. I think there was supposed to be a picture of yourself in there?

working on it...I have new hair....

[deckcadet]

Name:
Harrison Diamond

Meaning of handle:
A few years ago I spent quite a bit of time on cruise ships and became very good friends with many of the officers. They taught me quite a lot, and appointed me an honorary 'deck cadet', the training rank for bridge officers.

Dorky PR club I belong to:
Nikon Samurai #9


Location:
Gainesville, FL, the University of Florida... occasionally Miami.

Born:
Miami, FL

Other places I've lived:
uh....nowhere else.

Like to Retire:
Never

Ethnicity:
White hybrid of Jew and Cuban

Marriage/Family:
Gimme a break...I'm 19.

Languages I speak:
English, understand but can't really speak Spanish, know Latin and Italian.

Education:
Currently working towards my B.A... probably in Political Science. May be going for a second in History or Public Policy...or just go for both of the latter and dump polisci. I'm just a freshman.

Occupation:
Staff Photographer, The Independent Florida Alligator; Student, University of Florida

Religious affiliation : Jewish, sorta.

Political affiliation: Depending on the issues, between ultraliberal and somewhat liberal.

Other hobbies: Video, Apple products, driving home to Miami, hanging out with my friends.

How long I have been a photographer:
4 years serious, 7 years since my amateur years.

First "real" camera:
Nikon D70

How I found Photographyreview.com:
My teacher, our own MJS, is the video forum co-moderator here, and introduced me to the site as I started to get serious.

Date I joined PR (sometimes people's listed join date is innacurate):
October 2004

Favorite forum:
Nikon Camera Equipment / Digital SLRs.

Photogatherings I have attended:
None yet...

Favorite subjects:
News Photojournalism/Sports. And some other stuff.

Current Gear:
35mm:
Nikon F6
Nikon F2

Digital:
Nikon D3
Nikon D300+MB-D10
Nikon D200
Nikon D1 (UV/IR converted)

Lenses and Accessories:
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S ED-IF N
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S ED-IF N
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S ED-IF VR
Nikon 200mm f/2.0G AF-S Super-ED IF VR
Nikon 28mm f/3.5 AI
Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
Nikon 135mm f/2.8 AI converted
Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL Ultron
Voigtländer Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II
Nikon TC-14E II
Nikon SB-800

Camera I use the most:
D3

Why I prefer film or digital:
I love my F6, shooting film slows me down and makes me think. I love the feeling of not having that instant gratification or that feeling that I can always reshoot.
But I love my DSLRs for their feature set, build, and stunning image quality. the D3 is probably the best camera yet made, and I feel very lucky to shoot it.

What I like about Photographyreview.com:
Great people, great features, a very nice site overall. Some places just don't have the original content that we do, others lack the community and friendly people. I love it!

What I am trying to accomplish with my photography:
I don't know anymore. I thought I was in it to have some fun and maybe get to shoot some sports... just fun shots. Now I'm trying to capture moments, provide interesting views, and help my paper continue to gain in quality and stature. I want to make people take a second look.

A few of my favorite recent images:

One from the Newberry Hospice Rodeo last month...


Two from this month's Olustee Civil War Reenactment...



One from the Miss UF pageant...


And lastly, one of me taken at the UF women's lacrosse game this Saturday. My friend Brant was shooting my D3 and 70-200 while I shot the D300 and 200 f/2 and TC for maximum reach. I'm currently....between 400mm's
Aforementioned 200 f/2 and D300 are pictured.

[Old Timer]

Nice to get a little bio on you Harry. I started my photography career as a staff photographer for my college yearbook nearly 40 years ago. Those years were some of the most enjoyable of my life. I learned more about photography than at any other time and had an opportunity to shoot a very wide variety of subjects. (Read lots of women to photograph that were eager to pose and thought the camera around my neck was really cool.) Enjoy this time in your ife and take full advantage of what life and opportunity has to offer you.

[HavenHuman]

wow. Nice, very nice) good job!

[shootme]

Harrison, great shots, I'd love to be able to capture moments like you've shown. In particular I like the Rodeo shot, what lens did you use? and the first shot of the civil war reenactment, with the sword glistening at the bottom.

Great stuff.

Shootme

[zanejc]

it's perfect... like it

[mechelep]

Name:
Mechele

Meaning of handle (it's obvious


Location:
Southwest Virginia

Born:
Virginia

Like to Retire:
Soon

Ethnicity:
White

Marriage/Family:
Married w/ Son & Daughter

Languages I speak:
English

Education:
High School

Occupation:
Custodian


Religious affiliation
Spiritual


Other hobbies:
Flower Gardening

How long I have been a photographer:
the journey started in 2010

First "real" camera:
Kodak Easyshare

How I found Photographyreview.com:
surfed on

Date I joined PR
Today

Favorite forum:
Unsure @ moment


Favorite subjects:
Nature

Current Gear:
Kodak Easyshare

Camera I use the most:
Kodak Easyshare



What I am trying to accomplish with my photography:
Hobby for now.....

[opus]

Name:
Kelly

Meaning of handle (if it's not obvious):
My favorite uncle dubbed me when I was just a toddler. I can still hear his voice singing "Kellybean!" and see his huge smile with outstretched arms. I miss him so much.

PR club I belong to (if any):
Clan O'Canon

Location:
40 miles from my first home

Born:
Milwaukee, WI

Other places I've lived:
6 blocks from my first home
50 miles from my first home
-- all in SE Wisconsin --

Like to Retire:
Before I retire, I'd like to live a few places around the US and Europe, maybe studying, wrapping up a degree or two: San Diego, San Jose, London, France, the Netherlands ... then retire someplace warm but keep traveling.

Ethnicity:
English, Irish, Scotch, Pennsylvania Dutch (that's German, I think), and Bohemian. I identify most with the English side of me, although I'm told I look Czech (Bohemian).

Marriage/Family:
Married twice ... not sure I made the best decisions with either one.
One son from first marriage.

Languages I speak:
English; just enough Spanish, French and German to thank them for putting up with me; also the languages of diplomacy, poetry and music.

Education:
Graduated HS fifth in my class with highest honors, but it took me ten years to go on to college.
Associate Degree in Graphic Communications/Electronic Prepress.
Currently working on a Bachelor's in some form of the arts. Right now I'm a music major but that will change after this year. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

Occupation:
Professional Student?
Actually, I've written a children's book that I've gotten tons of positive feedback on. I'm just working up the guts to write a letter to an agent ... I'm sure my book will get published eventually.

Religious affiliation (if any):
Raised in a fundamental Christian household, spent the last ten years questioning and testing my own faith, am possibly coming out the other side with a stronger relationship with God. Or I'm screwed. Who can know, with all the religions claiming they're the only one? I feel like Martin Luther, trying to cut through the middleman to reach God directly. I love Jesus and am deeply indebted for what He's done for me, and feel strongly that God listens to me.

Political affiliation (if any):
No formal political affiliation at all. Men get corrupted when they enter politics.
But ideologically, I probably lean towards the liberals due to my strong love of peace, diplomacy and non-confrontation. I agree with conservative money policy though.

Other hobbies:
Posting to the computer, singing & studying music, working in the theatre (lighting, set crew, costuming, stage manager for guest acts, etc.), travel, swimming, writing, sculpting, sleeping.

How long I have been a photographer:
Since the eleventh grade, when I was *chosen* by the Journalism Advisor to take pictures for the yearbook. Senior year I was Chief Photographer for the yearbook and Photo Editor for the newspaper. But after graduation I found myself lacking subjects so I got away from it for many years. It was only in 2002 when I bought my Canon Rebel Ti that I realized I still had it!

First "real" camera:
I guess it was my dad's Pentax. My *own* real camera was my Rebel Ti.

How I found Photographyreview.com:
googled "photography bulletin boards" one day, when I got fed up with the snippy snarky weight loss board I was posting to.

Date I joined PR
last summer.

Favorite forum:
Viewfinder

Photogatherings I have attended:
Chicago

Favorite subjects:
I get most excited by journalistic type shots. After that I prefer travel photography, street shots, artistic landscapes and cityscapes, twilight and dawn shots, moody natural lighting, experimental abstracts, great exposures, perfect DOF shots, vibrant COLOR, and finding humor.

Current Gear:
*yawn* I hate this part and skipped through all the details of everybody else's. It's not the equipment I love, it's the eye behind it.

For those who must know, I have a Canon Rebel Ti and a DRebel (3000). Plus two kit lenses that came with each, and a 70-300.

Why I prefer film or digital:
I prefer digital for the instant gratification, the ability to learn as I go, and not having to pay for and worry about film or running out of it.

What I like about Photographyreview.com:
The people
The pictures they post
The interesting yet friendly discussions

What I am trying to accomplish with my photography:
To get better, technically.
To include people in my travel photography, and make more than just "postcards"
To make photos I can hang on my wall, and
To make photos that I can eventually sell

And most importantly, to show everybody how *I* see the world.


A few of my favorite pictures:

My son:


My success in getting people in my shots:


I just *love* the DOF of this shot:


More people (love the shadows here):


And finally, a self-portrait taken this past Tuesday. I'm standing in front of Mt. Quandry (14,285') in Colorado, a few miles south of Breckenridge. I really felt a communion with this mountain that day. I couldn't seem to leave its presence.

[almo]

Name:
Kelly


And finally, a self-portrait taken this past Tuesday.

Found the smallest picture of yourself for this one that you could huh? Well thats cool...Mine is dark and RED.....;)

[opus]

What, you want a large, bright, red picture of me that was taken this past Tuesday?

OK, here you go!

[almo]

WOW!!!! That's brite!!! But now we can see just how cute you are...