Improving My Photography Skills

As you know, since Andrew bought me a camera last summer, I've really taken up an interest in photography. I bring my camera everywhere we go, and am trying to learn the manual settings, and work on improving my skills. I've always loved taking pictures, and even took a week-long summer photography class in Yosemite when I was in high school. But over the years, I started to only use my point and shoot Cannon for capturing events with friends and family, and didn't pursue the artistic side of photography that I love. Thankfully, when I got my new DSLR, that all changed. My love for photography; documenting nature, food styling, and capturing memories with friends and family all came flooding back! 

Andrew and my family must have noticed my renewed love for taking pictures, because this Christmas definitely had a photography theme. And I couldn't have been happier! I got wonderful gifts from my parents and sister like two (different) tripods, a remote shutter release, a neoprene case for carrying my camera in my purse, and a really sweet surprise gift from Andrew. 

Oh Christmas morning, when I got the the gift from Andrew, I had no idea what to expect. I hadn't really given much thought to what he might have gotten me. The box weighed maybe a few ounces, so I was stumped. As I opened it, I saw a few empty film canister bottles. Who uses film these days? I thought. He assured me to keep looking. Below the film canisters were a handful of slides. Since I grew up with my Dad taking slides of his climbing adventures and giving our family slide shows, I knew what they were. I took them out and started holding them up to the light to see what was on the slides. Each one was a different picture of the two of us over the a past year. The last one, was an image of a gift certificate for a photography course at the Rayko Photo Center here in the city! A couple of our friends have taken the digital photography course there, and raved about it. I was really excited, to say the least! I don't know if I'm more excited about the five week photography course or the thoughtful way he presented the gift! :) 

My first class starts in February, so I'll be sure to keep you posted and share photos along the way. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm really excited for the challenge. Since it's something I'm really interested in, I know that I'll want to put forth the effort, and get as much out of this five week class as possible. Hopefully you'll start to notice an improvement in the photos here on From Foothills to Fog!