Just received my new Nikon D7000 a few days ago and I'm SO excited to start using it. The manual is an inch thick but I've never really been a manual kinda guy (it's gotten me in trouble before so go easy whilst judging me). I got a different book about the D7000 so I'm using that at the moment.
I've always had a deep fascination and love of photography. There's nothing like simply glancing at a photo and having your attention completely stolen away. My favorite types of photography include landscapes and still life. I believe God speaks through His creation and I love the connection I feel with Him when I am able to glance upon the mountains, valleys and streams He created by hand. I remember traveling through Europe with my family and passing through the Alps on our way to Switzerland and just feeling incredibly humbled by the vast mountain scapes I was witnessing. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. I think I was so moved I threw up a prayer right then and there just thanking God for creating the earth with such beauty and divinity. Ever since that moment, I've had this desire to capture as much of the earth and it's beauty as possible.
Pictures offer a timeless artifact into memories and experiences from the past. I think pictures allow you to relive old moments, feelings, even smells. It's almost like magic; freezing time into a piece of digital information. I just love it.
I take a good amount of photos but they're quite amateurish in my opinion. It takes time and lots of practice to produce better photos. I've also realized I need to learn Photoshop. Much easier said than done. I downloaded my mom's version of Photoshop Elements and am currently looking at a book to help make using Photoshop easier, but let me just say...it's ridiculous. Every time I open Photoshop my mind has a conniption. I'm trying to tackle it slowly and in pieces, let's just say it's an arduous process at the moment.
I might start posting photos that I've currently been taking on here, not sure though. They have to pass my rigid standards of quality so we'll see. Even if photography isn't your thing, I implore you to explore your passions and hobbies and really go after them. God gave us gifts and interests in multitudes of things. Pursue those passions and find ways to glorify God in those passions and in all things that you do.
So yea, photography is awesome and I highly recommend getting into it. There's tons of blogs and websites out there that can help you with getting started or furthering your photo taking skills. I really like:
http://www.dphoto.co.nz
http://www.expertphotography.com
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/index.page (I use Nikon cameras and the Nikon website has a great 'Learn and Explore' page for tutorials, stories and tips about photography in general...and yea, Canon users are welcome, I guess :p).
Tim
