Photography Aspirations

I attended an Open House Event for an organization downtown this week.  I attended to represent my work place, to meet and greet people who might be of benefit to my place of work.  I did what I was supposed to do, felt like I was out of my league conversing with CEO's, magazine authors, Directors, and people who do PR for congressman.  It was fun, in a sense, to be able to have a purpose and hope that a connection might benefit the work of so many sacrificial volunteers-- yet it just isn't my style. :)  Good thing I was getting paid to do it! I'm not a schmoozer.  I feel bad trying to forge a conversation with a motive of getting money.  It helps that the money is for a good cause.  Anyway, there was a photographer there.  I was jealous.  I think I would feel much more comfortable being the quiet, invisible one behind the machine just documenting the event.

Another thing, before my schedule was drastically changed about a month ago- I had full intentions of emailing that fun photographer that taught the portrait class I took.  She has a studio downtown and like I mentioned before- I totally connected with her style and approach, and loved the samples of her work that I saw.  She mentioned she usually works without an assistant- but I wanted to email her and ask if I could just shadow her for a day- or for a couple of shoots.  I think I could gain so much by just observing.  I want to observe HER because I like her style and her laid back approach to interacting with clients.  I still hope I can arrange this somehow.  It seems like a good next step in my growth in this endeavor.  Maybe this summer? Who knows. 

And one last thing- I read in a book about using a wide angle lens for this cool technique.  You get a reversal ring that allows you to attach the lens on backwards.  The shape of the lens goes.... convex?concave? whatever! It goes backwards! So, the object in the frame is magnified like crazy! You can also add some extension tubes to the lens to get further magnification.  It is so cool and amazing! There was a photo of a rose petal that just filled the frame and the smooth, silky, fibers were amazing! You wouldn't know you were looking at a rose petal! So awesome!  So, those MACRO kits ($75)I was looking at vs a macro lens ($400)- not worth it and I don't want it anymore.  Need to hold out for something better.