My First Anniversary at DPS

[lindyannajones]

"If we're not supposed to dance, why all this music?" Gregory Orr

Today is my 1st Anniversary with DPS. Little did I know that posting my first photo on July 7 and, more significantly, a second on July 8, would be a turning point in my life. Isn’t it funny how life can change on a dime?

My heartfelt thanks to all of you! Thank you for the music!

Here are those two photos from a year ago. The full story follows these photos:






In the spring of 2008 I finally screwed up my courage to take my new DSLR camera for a test drive at Organ Pipe National Park. Flowers covered the hills, the weather was temperate and I had a 4 GB memory card. It was the perfect setting for a photography experiment. I set the camera on auto mode and off we went.

The results were pretty average. With a growing sense of doom and dread, it quickly became evident that I would need to (a) read the manual (what a concept) and (b) learn all that “technical stuff” that I had avoided for years. While the thought made me grumpy and headachy, I was resigned to go “Manual Mode”. I spent every weekend for the next few months learning camera settings and reading every photography book I could get my hand on.

At the beginning of July I clicked on a link with tips about exposure and discovered the DPS forum. I lurked for several weeks while I screwed up my courage to post a photo. (Note: there was no “Share Your Shots” thread. You posted for a critique.) While I nearly had heart failure, I posted my first photo and instead of getting drummed out of the corps, I received a warm welcome and encouraging words. Shift. Tilt. Life has not been the same. It’s been better.

Here’s what “better” looks like:

(1) Prior to joining DPS, my words had gone away. In fact, they were MIA for 4-5 years. I could not have rubbed two nouns and verb together if my life had depended on it. With the flick of a switch, the muse returned. Your photos were the siren’s call that brought “her” back. “Thanks” does not begin to express my gratitude.

(2) Kindness is my currency and I feel like the richest woman in America. I have never met a kinder group of people. Thank you for all the encouragement and support. Who needs diamonds and pearls? Each of your posts has been a treasure.

(3) The big world has become cozy. Your images have brought the world to my door and two things are clear: we have much in common and there is beauty in every corner of the globe.

(4) Photography has taught me to be more mindfully present. It’s also so much more fun sharing photos than burning them to a CD and having them sit in a drawer.

P.S. My heartfelt thanks to Darren for following an idea that blossomed into DPS. Thanks, also, to the moderators, and one Honorary Critique Moderator, in particular, for the role you all play in making this an outstanding on-line community

[thenebean9]

congrats on your one year anniversary! I just posted my first photos today - hopefully to get some feedback and critiques! It's hard to look at your stuff objectively, since you see it all the time. this is a great site with great people, and i hope to expand my knowledge even more! congrats again

[lindyannajones]

This is PERFECT! We're bookends! I'll go look at your photo and leave you feedback. I hope you find this community as amazing as I have. Thank you so very much and welcome!

[Hayward Taylor]

I am honored and blessed to have known such a wonderful kind person .. I am glad to be your friend .. Congratulations

[fstopMike]

Oh Lindy, I believe the muse has returned! I think you said thanks better than any way I ever could. I can't imagine DPS without you and would like to thank you for all the times you've taken the time to look at my posts and the heartwarming and encouraging words that have followed. Besides the encouragement, where would we be without our resident afficianado of all things desert to teach us the beauty and marvel of our western drylands? It seems remarkable to me, looking at the quality and composition of your images that it was only a year ago that you picked up a DSLR for the first time!

Also because I know you and your muse have a sense of humor I can honestly say I've enjoyed your sharing your shots and not your shorts (reading your post above) since I've not yet found that "Share your Shorts" thread you mentioned.....

Congratulations on your first anniversary here and thanks for making DPS a better place!

[SandeeWig]

lindy, you are such an inspiration on this site. Your words always flow with a gentle poetic ease, and I so appreciate the time you take and care you have shown in reviewing my work, offering your knowledge and encouragement. You take beautiful photographs and always compliment them with history or information that leaves me wanting more.

Thank you for all you contribute to making DPS such a wonderful place. As you grow, so do we.

[Digidave]

This whole DPS thing works both ways. You have left a bright spot in all our souls.

My words may not be as fluent as yours but I'm sure you know what I mean. Maybe I'll just shut up & sing you a song.




Congrats on your 1 year anniversary!!

[thenebean9]

Originally Posted by lindyannajones

This is PERFECT! We're bookends! I'll go look at your photo and leave you feedback. I hope you find this community as amazing as I have. Thank you so very much and welcome!

that's super cool - the photography bookends thanks for your kind comments on my post - i really love doing photography and am working to hopefully make it my career!

i'll post some more pictures soon!

-Athina

[AlanWillis]

I love these images; those flowers are spectacular. I've only been on DPS for a short time, but I've enjoyed many of your posts and look forward to seeing them in your second year!

[teedlepeep]

Happy Anniversary !! Isn't it amazing how one click on a link to this site has had such an impact on many of our lives in so many ways. There are a few people's posts and responses that I truly look forward to reading, yours are in the group! I, for one, am glad you found this site !!