Welcome to my Photography Journal

The purpose for creating this separate journal site was to have a platform where I could express and share photographic thoughts, tips and information learned from my experiences, and from others, about the taking, saving, editing and sharing of photographs - without 'cluttering up' my Photo Gallery site. It is my hope that other amateur photographers like myself, will be able to find information and tips that will be helpful in improving their picture taking and photographic skills. Let me start by saying this ...
that I am amazed at how much there is to know about taking a good picture. It seems that the more I read, the more I realize how much there is to learn and retain - sometimes I feel like my brain is on overload. Couple this with being over 65 and plagued with CRES (Can't REmember Shit) syndrome, it sometimes makes this pleasant recreational hobby seem more and more frustrating. I can certainly understand how one can spend years improving their picture taking skills as they pursue the goal of becoming a professional photographer. For a quick overview of the information and help you can find on this site, start by clicking on the Site Map tab.

The good news for people like me is that there are many more advantages to starting out today versus years ago when everything was accomplished using the medium of film and its often expensive accompanying darkroom procedures and techniques. Digital photography and photo editing software has just about totally replaced the medium of film and use of the darkroom. Today's cameras are literally small computers that provide dozens if not hundreds of automatic settings that can be made just by turning a dial or pushing a button. Granted, you still have to learn them and know how and when to use them to your best advantage, however, it still beats learning how to use and read light meters and reference tables just to set the stage for capturing a good shot.

Then there is the availability of photo editing programs for performing all kinds of post picture taking adjustments, many that could only be dreamed of back in the days of the darkroom. Granted, even though they are getting easier and more user friendly to use, mastery of these programs can be often be extremely difficult for new users and often require a long learning curve. Many are just too intimidated to even try. Believe it or not there are free editing programs available, that even a novice can use with relative ease. Check out my [Software] tab.

Finally, there is the Internet, a vast resource of easily accessible information, much of which wasn't even available through books or training seminars years ago. Let it be known that I take very little to no credit for most of the information found on these pages. With the exception of those things that I have actually learned or experienced in the field, almost everything else that cam be found here was condensed from various books I have read or from websites I have visited over time. Check the [References] tab for a list of my favorite books and sites.

In and effort to overcome the previously mentioned CRES problems, I have developed a very organized system of notes and references to aid and assist me in the process of creating better pictures. For formatting and capturing pictures refer to the [Taking Pics] tab.  For transferring your pictures to a computer, storing and backup procedures, refer to the [Saving Pics] tab.  For post processing and photo editing, refer to the  [Editing Pics] tab. Finally, for sharing your pictures, refer to the [Sharing Pics] tab. Hopefully, those who visit here will find some of the information provided useful in their journey to becoming a better photographer.