Despite my lack of "professional" training, I've always had both an interest and an eye for the visual arts. At the age of sixteen I found myself in front of my first Macintosh computer, a Performa, knowing I needed to learn how to use it but having no idea where to start. Until that point, my experience with computers had been very limited. My family had owned an obsolete Commodore 64 a few years before, which we used for playing Frogger. I had also learned to use very basic computer functions in high school keyboarding class, but still I was a novice at best. And yet when I sat in front of the multi-colored striped logo in the shape of an apple the first day on my new job, I knew I was home. I plunged in headfirst and I haven't looked back since.
Thankfully I caught on quickly, because my job depended on it. I was working an administrative position, but it required me to learn not just basic computer skills, but design skills for production of publications. It didn't take me long to realize that I had found the aspect of my job that brought me excitement and motivation. I applied myself by learning and experimenting and I had a wonderful time. I still haven't had any professional training, but I have done well with graphic design and publications and have enjoyed the twelve years I've been working in this profession. And so what if I don't have a college degree? People say I'm good.
It's not that I have to have the praise of others to enjoy my work. But there is something so fulfilling about taking visual elements and arranging them in such a way that evokes emotion in people or draws their attention to something important they otherwise would have ignored. I love the term "communications designer," because that's how I view myself. Visual intonation is expressed through style, typography, color, texture, photographs, and illustrations.
So here I am again, in a similar place I was twelve years ago. This time I would like to learn photography, but I feel a little overwhelmed on where to start. I do have an advantage this time, though -- a trained and experienced eye for what is visually pleasing. Now I just have to learn how to make my camera do what I want it to do.
I've enrolled in a photography course to aid me. It starts next week, and I will be posting my photographs and what I am learning along the way. Until then, I thought I'd post some amateur photos I've taken up to this point. I hope you enjoy!
"Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one." -Stella Adler
