Welcome! I taught himself photography because I felt the scenery that I was seeing and feeling was not being adequately represented in photos. I do it out of love. Photography is a deeply spiritual practice for me. No, I don't do photography for a narcissistic ego quest for world-wide admiration. I just love to celebrate the Earth and the life on it. I like to bring a greater appreciation of nature to people and to share that together.
I'd say my style is more spontaneous than most photographers I've met. Almost all the images in my gallery were not planned, except of course getting myself out to places where I knew there'd be beauty to see and capture.
I grew up in the Washington DC metropolitan area, and starting at the age of about six our family would take regular weekend trips into West Virginia to our property. There were many hours of road trips and of watching the scenery go by. Those many trips helped inspire me and helped me to appreciate its beauty. I'm mostly a city boy but my inner West Virginian is always trying to come out! As a young adult I would bring a camera on my walks in the hills and mountains and it slowly developed into a passionate endeavor as the years passed.
I have roughly a thousand images in my collection. I'll process as many of the images I can and post them here on DA. It's been fun so far.
I love your eye for beauty in the world, you have some wonderful pieces of photography in your gallery. Somehow I sense that you don't want any pity, but I'll tell you that I hear and understand. I hope that you have found some financial stability since you wrote this journal,
but even if you haven't; at least you have your camera, lens, your soul and a spirit to go out and about. I truly hope that you're well...
Just Be You....Go,be free and shoot...the equipment is meaningless....its your heart,your eyes into this world that matters most.....Love your heart on shooting.....Most of my gallery was shot with a Kodak pocket shot....Still the fave love words to keep shootin...forget rules and equipment....Its your heart that matters...the light...the comp..
and the emotion that make the shot and who you are...and what you love and see as beautiful....
Have Fun...see the light...be who you are...and just shoot!!!!!
But if I feel sympathy for you, I don't have the means to help you...
In the meantime, I don't have advice to give you either, I would not be compfortable in this, i'm only 16 !
yet, just try to enjoy life as much as you can, and keep up the great work !
Between Canada and the USA, it's full of natural parks, and monuments of natural beauty, which I would love to visit !