My journey as a Photographer

This is a copy of the ‘Biography’ page on Photo.net forum that I updated every now and then. At some point I gave up adding to this page ….but have put in my final entry recently. It is short and sweet – not because I have nothing more to say, but because there is a word limit for this section on photo.met.

Photo.net is my second Guru in photography (first guru is the equipment) – it answered all my questions and the discussions of the collective community kept me learning things that I did not even know that I had to learn. The biography page is a newcomer’s introduction to the community.

So I bragged in the beginning….and soon enough ate humble pie, fed to me not-so-gently by the realisation of my ignorance and lack of skill. Here it is:

“Mensa member,
MBA,
Author (The IQ Parenting Handbook)
Antique Textile Collector, (www.wovesouls.com)
and Traveller to ethno-culturally rich places.

Date of Birth of the ‘serious’ photographer in me : Feb 25th, 2009.
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Watch me evolve ……..
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Added March 9th, 2009 :
I have enough control over the camera to manipulate the settings but am still struggling to get the effect I desire. I have also discovered that photoshop can correct many of the mistakes I make in lighting. Am not sure if knowing of this crutch at this fledgeling stage of development will handicap me or free me !
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March 13th, 2009 :
It is totally unfair that different lenses behave differently, that birds, humans and other animals have absolutely no considerations for a budding-famous-photographer’s feelings – and refuse to stop flying or pouncing while a shot is being taken. How will I ever get there if this unfairness continues !

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May 26th, 2009
Have understood the settings of the camera body tho’ I cannot yet say that I have mastered it. Have learnt enough about enough lenses and can choose effectively for a particular need.
Have also finally crossed a barrier – am now getting familiar with PS and its opening up so many possibilities. I think the plateau of frustration will end with this with a sudden new unfolding of possibilities to transform my photographs into “perfect” images !
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May 30th 2009
I look back at my portfolio and find that the last three folders have impressed even ME !! They look so starkly different from the previous ones !! Is it PS ? Or is it better choice of lenses ? I seriously doubt its the third factor – that I have become a better photographer so SUDDENLY !  Whatever the real reason is, I am happy that my kids are totally impressed with my sudden show of expertise…
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June 22nd 2009
When I get comments from friends & family on a great picture I find myself passing on the credit to the greatness of the subject itself. What have “I” really done besides freeze that beauty into an image. The beauty was there befoe I came and saw it, and will remain even had I not taken a picture of it. The credit of the beautiful image goes to the creator of that subject – not to me – the photographer. The ONLY credit I am comfortable taking – is for delivering that beauty from one spot in time & space to eyes that wouldn’t have otherwise been there to witness it.

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August 18th 2009
I am at the point of greed – where NAS (nikon Acquisition Syndrome) virus has hit my brain functions and makes me believe that I will become a legendary photographer once I have every legendary lens made !

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August 20th 2009
Just when I thought I was getting a grasp of everything there is to know – ( like i now EVEN know how to make borders in PS !!) and even know how to identify the 28 2.8AiS lens…….isn’t that WOW?) ……..through all the research I realise that there is simply toooooooo much to know in any single one sub-subject such as lenses. So even if I were to put aside all other interests in life – such as breathing sleeping, eating, there just wouldn’t be enough time in this phase of life to master it all. So I am hoping that the enthusiasm & overconfidence outlasts the energy long enough to make me a better photographer ……and then the better results will themselves fuel the life of this phase.

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July 8th, 2011
I now have a few images that I think are good (on http://www.jainamishra.com) but think that I will probably never feel like I have a complete grip on the technical stuff.
My wish list at this point:
1. A master (other than google) who will answer all my unanswered questions as I bumble through my never-ending learning of the SEVERAL crafts needed in photography…..
2. Lenses that are lighter ….
3. Lots of applause
thats all…”

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The word limit puts an end to the biography on Photo.net at this point. But I will continue documenting this evolution here because  ‘there are miles to go before I sleep’

jm

July 23rd, 2011