August 29, 2014.  I have been taking photos since starting the www.east-harlem.com website back in 1996. I used a film camera then and must have gone through about 50 rolls of films. With the advent of scanners I was able to scan a small percentage of my film photos. Working at a large non-profit and having one of my duties being to take the organization’s photos I quickly learned not to be afraid to go ahead and take the shot. Go right up to people and take photos. To this day that has served me well. I am not shy about getting my shot.

Digital camera’s afforded me the freedom to take as many shots as possible. In other words, to practice, practice, practice. I have had one since coming back from Florida in the late 90s. I used my Canon G9 for almost 6 years and now have a real DSLR. I can’t believe that it has been only since May 5th that I have gone manual mode and learned a lot more about photography.

I love framing and getting the shot. But I also love the way taking photos relaxes me. And unlike Amateur Radio, which involves some planning and heavy equipment, photography is more portable. I take my Canon Sl1 everywhere. I have learned so much since May. My favorite photos to take are the hard to get ones, night shots, time lapse, close ups (marcro) and wide angle shots.

I was hoping to learn more about photography from my friend John Ayala, but he passed away earlier this month while vacationing in Puerto Rico. I will miss John even beyond photography.

There is also the excitement of photography my other hobbies, my small card size webserver (Raspberry Pi and Beaglebone Black, and amateur radio. I wonder if I might not make a good product photographer? I may just look into it.  I also like taking photos while at church. All area’s of my life are subject to my camera.