One year in, all i can say is, thank you...

[iNick]

TPF community,

I have been a member of TPF for just about a year now and i can say with honesty that joining was the best decision i ever made for my photography. I can't begin to tell all of you how much you have helped me over this past year. Like most, i got into photography and thought a lot of it was just having a DSLR. I figured, hey, i take some cool shots with my point and shoot so if i have a cool big camera i can take AWESOME shots and everyone will think I'm cool!!! haha, maybe a little of an exaggeration, but i know most of you understand what I'm talking about. Over this past year i have really come to learn and respect photography as an art form. For so many people taking pictures is just a way to capture memories of their kids special days, or to remember a great event they went to, and while this is an excellent use of photography for most, i have come to absolutely love the story a single photo can tell.

It only took a couple short months for me to dedicate myself to learning the technical side of photography as best i can. Over the past year i have learned so much about exposure, composition, lighting, and technical aspects of the camera and lens itself. I am beyond grateful for the help i have received here. I don't know any photographers or hobbyists that i can go to for tips or critique so having all of you at my fingertips has been absolutely amazing. I can't thank you guys enough for all of the tips, honest critique, and laughs you have given me. I hope to be a long time member here and hope i can be of some help to anyone who needs it.

Let's remember, we are all here because we all share the same love of photography. Some love sports, some love cars, some love portraits, some love landscape, and some love a little of everything. Some love Canon, some love Nikon, some love Pentax, and some love Sony (omitted other brands because there are too many ) but at the end of the day we all LOVE photography. We may argue at times, and some may get butthurt, but we are here to help each other grow.

Im really excited about continuing to learn about photography from all of you on here. When i go out and shoot now i feel much more confident in myself than i did a year ago and i owe that confidence to all of you. I hope i never stop learning, i hope to grow as a photographer every day because just like any kind of art form, photography is impossible to get perfect.

Thank you to everyone who has ever typed a word to me. Weather it was helpful or in anger every single one of you has helped me improve.

Regards,
-Nick