Over at the main Rawmazing Blog, I frequently get asked what camera I use. I have to admit, it is one of the questions that every serious photographer cringes at. Not because we are mean, not because we are arrogant but because the camera is only one small element of what goes into a great shot. Yes, a good camera allows you to do more. Even more important is your glass, or your lenses. But you could hand a bad photographer a super great camera, and he still will not take a great picture.

Now that I have that off my chest, we all love to take pictures. We all have successes. It is like when I golf. Sometimes I hit an amazing ball. But can I do that over and over, no matter what the conditions? Nope.

But if I practiced everyday, picking up my golf clubs, learning the mechanics of the swing, the subtleties of the green, I would get better. I probably would never be Tiger Woods, but I would improve.

It is the same with photography. You need to pick up your camera and shoot, every day. You need to study composition, lighting, and post production. You need to learn your camera. Learn what an f-stop is, what exposure is, and all of the other little pieces that all combine together to make a good photograph.

A year and a half ago, I picked up my old Nikon D70 to start taking some pictures of the food. I had a few successes. I got intrigued. I took more pictures. Experimented more, shot more, shot a ridiculous amount. Some of the earlier food photographs on the Rawmazing blog were shot over 60 times before I got a shot that I liked. And I look back now and I am amazed at how much I have learned.

I have learned that just by setting my aperture (f stop) at a different setting, I can completely change the look of a photo:

And a slightly different angle will give a different look:

This is the joy of photography. Learning the details. Learning the ins and outs. It has become my passion, my obsession. I recently wrote to a friend of mine, photography grabs you by the heart and takes over your soul.

It’s called Queen Anne’s Lace. It is a prolific wild flower also known as wild carrot. I see it often. It seems to grow everywhere. But today I saw it in a whole new light. I had taken my camera out for a stroll (yes, we often go for walks together) and noticed that the flowers were drying up, making some interesting shapes. I started looking more closely. And there, right before my eyes was the entire life cycle of Queen Anne’s Lace.

After blooming the flower starts to close up.

After it has closed, as it starts to dry out.. you can see, the seeds are beginning to appear.

Here is what I find the most fascinating:

Once the flowers are dry and the seeds are ready, it opens back up to release the seeds.

Amazing!

Welcome to the new home for the Photo 365 Challenge and also the new home for our Photography Blog! We are still under construction. You can view the photo 365 photos by clicking on the tab at the top of the page. They are now organized by month. All photos will be for sale in prints, screen savers and also note cards soon.