Have I really been here one year ??

[Vinam]

I kinda forgot all about my one year Aniversery here at DPS, but Susan reminded me with her post.. so I felt the need to post one myself. I can be quite long winded, but I'll try not to ramble and just show some photos thru the year.. it's hard for me because I shoot many different styles and subjects.

So this is my first post on DPS, I was such a greenhorn with about 30 shutterclicks on my Rebel, I got a shot at a Redtail Hawk, and I have yet to photograph another Redtail... some bad editing to remove a tree branch across it's chest.Man I wish I could shoot the hawk now , I chopped off his legs !



a few months later

A once in a lifetime chance to photograph a couple getting engaged at the beach, and all I wanted to do was shoot a sunset. I had to apply the limited knowledge I had learned from DPS and suck it up and just do it... I was so nervous and so was the Groom lol



a few months later

I become obsessed with Birds , Swans become my white balance test subjects,I learn to pan on the unbelievably fast Barn Swallows and I am coached by the other Birders( bird shooters) here at DPS, Ospreys (Seahawks) become my favorite subject and I spend hours over the summer watching and shooting them.



a few months later

I dive into Editing, Photo Manipulation and effects like painting, I am determined to learn Photoshop, HDR and gain confidence in my ability to take advantage of shooting digital. And it's a good thing because everything I've learned is tested to the fullest when ....





I am asked to be a Guest Photographer at the wedding of the couple at the beach... I am once again given more encouragement,suggestions and coaching from my DPS family then I could belive and am blown away by the community support.



Sunrises, sunsets, ALOT of birds... animals, some people, speedboats ( including the Geico Speedboat record holder ), hotrods, even some gymnastics meets indoors ( I'm still sorry for losing my temper) and many many more I have sooo many photos I would have liked to share for this post, but the whole year is on Flickr..

I've learned most of what I know of photography from the DPS Tutorials and the dozens if not hundreds of Friends I made here. I am known nowdays as fearless and will attempt to photograph anything .

Many would say that" IF I CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT" , it takes time and if you really want it it comes with learning , practice and patience.

I owe not only the skill and ability I've learned so far, but also what I will learn in the future to this amazing collection of people from around the world who have the passion and love the captured image and I truly appreciate this Forum , Darrin and the all the Mods for making it feel like my Photography home.

Thank you all , I have no Doubt this year will be filled with WOWs and I'm glad I was able to keep the text short LOL

Vin - Proud DPS member

[dishingthedivine]

wow... you've come a LONG ways. I jsut started here at DPS 6 days ago. I hope I come as far as you did in a year!

[Chewys Dad]

Congratulations Vin! You've come a long way, I guess we all have that have stayed around for awhile. It's hard not to pick up a little knowledge if you visit DPS. But most of all We've made lots of Great Friends and share our growth as photographers with each other along the way! You've found a field that I'm not much interested in, Wedding Photography, but I celebrate your accomplishments and hope that you are Super Successful at it in the future, if that's your goal!
Thanks for sharing these
Michael

[Angelb]

Happy one year anniversary Vin!!!! I enjoyed reading your...not too long...story about your DPS journey. You have learnt so much and I have thoroughly enjoyed viewing the out come. It was nice to follow the beach couple from marriage proposal to the big wedding day through your brilliant photos. Your many experiences with pp have been great, I especially love your paintings. The Ospreys shot is series is fantastic. I continue to be impressed by your work my friend.

[ZannieGirl49]

Congrats on your anniversary! You've accumulated a wonderful body of work. You've come so far, it's an inspiration...makes me hope that I'll learn as much after I've been here a year! Here's to the images and years to come.

[JustJim]

Vin, you 'old timer', you! Congratulations on your anniversary, my friend. A lot can happen in a year, and a lot of good stuff can happen in the next year as well. To infinity and beyond! Well to next year anyway

Jim

[picnik]

Happy DPS Anniversary Vin...
I really enjoyed reading your DPS journey and enjoyed
looking at your progression.
You are truly an inspiration to us all...
dedication and hardwork (with a lot of skill) sure
paid off. You do fantastic work Vin...
and I really enjoy looking at all your photos.

Congratulations and I'm looking forward to
your 2010 photos

[kgb224]

Congratulations you came along and improved with strides.

[chrean]

Congratulations Vin!

Those Seahawks are magnificent.

[Steves Shots]

Congratulations Vin!, well done and love the photos, nice work, cheers Steve.