Education is a slow but rewarding experience.

Week of: November 8, 2014

Began learning how to use the editing software that I received with my camera.  Hopefully, I will soon -- at least sooner than later -- learn how to make it look more like what I was seeing.

There are other trees with this one that have equally briliant colors.  What a calming influence nature has!  What a testimony that Father is watching out for us; providing beautiful things to enjoy and the means by which to provide the healing power that we are in need of.

Week of October 30, 2014.

I received my new Nikon D3300 camera and was experimenting with it.  This is the result after playing with it a short time in PhotoScape.

For the week of October 18, 2014, life happened.
For the week of October 25, 2014, technology happened -- it still is.

This picture is the original of what I had previously posted.

Newly planted pansie in the early afternoon sunshine.
Using PhotoScape using Birightness setting 13.  This is the only modification.

We recently had a very enjoyable guest who was absolutely enthralled with these trees. 

I am still working on how to use the photo editing software.  All things come with practice and patience...or is it patience and practice.  Either way, with time I will get there.

First attempt at modification of a picture.

Unexpected Find

Went for a short walk and found buckwheat at the side of the road.

I have downloaded PhotoScape and will begin working with it.  I wonder what will happen!

Setting Sun

So Now What?

Now comes the challenge.  There are multiple -- ok, that is an understatement -- demands on my time.

However, I am determined to at least once a week post a photograph of something.  I am working on becoming more familiar with my camera, its features and trying to understand what all the jargon means.

Part of all this is the realization that to feel fulfilled I need to create something on a regular basis.  Additionally, I need to feel like I am contributing in a positive manner to the world around me. In reality I already do.  However, having something that manifests results immediately is ok too sometimes.

I am grateful for God's creations and the knowledge that he made this all for us because He loves us and wants us to be happy.

I look forward to sharing the beautiful world around me.

What Started It All

I have discovered / acknowledged my passion -- PHOTOGRAPHY.

I actually have known it for a long time.  I just did not realize it.

Photography has always been important to me.  I received my first camera in my teenage years and was totally thrilled. Almost all of my initial shots were of the sky.  Other pictures were of trees and other nature scenese.  People pictures were quite low on my list of importance.  Even now as an adult I tend to take pictures of scences instead of people.  I have even been criticized for not including people in my vacation pictures.

This year I have read and listened to books, videos and taken classes that coincidentally are all about throwing convential attitudes out the window and following what you are drawn to -- your passion.

What has influnced me?

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century by Oliver DeMille

Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning by Oliver DeMille, Rachel DeMille, Michele Smith and Daniel Ruesch

Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens by Oliver DeMille, Shanon Brooks and Daniel Ruesch

Monticello College in Monticello, Utah

The Piano Guys

 John Tesh

The Power of Starting Something Stupid by Richie Norton

 The Conscious Creator: Six Laws for Manifesting Your Masterpiece Life by Kris Krohn and Stephen Palmer

 Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity by Garrett B. Gunderson and Stephen Palmer

 While reading, listening and participating I kept thinking about photography.