Calling all artists/photographers

[daughter]

Hey, Testify2you... I love your photography, it's absolutely beautiful. But you know, I came here specifically to look at yours, and was gobsmacked by how beautiful some of the amateur photos are! Wow, I'm going to keep popping back here, it's a lovely thread. Thanks guys, you are inspirational!

I particularly like the scripture photos T2Y... you have a real gift.

[testify2U]

Thank you so much! I've just picked this up in the last couple of months. Got a new digital camera, and started to play. God has really shown me that He has a plan for me with this photography stuff and I'm enjoying using it for Him. This is a testimony to talents...God gives us talents, and it's up to us to discover what they are. But, I think sometimes we limit ourselves to what we're trained in doing. I haven't taken ANY classes...I haven't had any formal training whatsoever.

Let this be a word to those of you who want to pursue something...you don't have to have training to get started!!! Don't let the critics stop you from trying something out. People will try to tell you that you have to go to school to be a this or a that. In some cases (brain surgeons, animal doctors, etc.) this is true...but when it comes to a talent you have, use it!!! Use it for God's glory!!!

Thank you for the uplifting note, Daughter. It really helps to get feedback from people, and you've definitely encouraged me and others!!!

Blessings!!

[testify2U]

This is the verse I chose to use as my "theme verse" if you will.
Everywhere we look, there is a testimony to who God is. It cannot be denied.

[Phil Fourie]

Thanks T2U, I love your work.

God bless you
Phil

[testify2U]

And yours is just inspiring as well!!! Wow. What can I say. You have a gift, and you are in the right place to use it!!! What is it that you do in Africa, if you don't mind my asking. What an awesome place it must be!!!

I particularly love the picture of the young girl holding the boy in her arms. Priceless...

[Phil Fourie]

And yours is just inspiring as well!!! Wow. What can I say. You have a gift, and you are in the right place to use it!!! What is it that you do in Africa, if you don't mind my asking. What an awesome place it must be!!!

I particularly love the picture of the young girl holding the boy in her arms. Priceless...

Well, I just basically hang around here

Actually I am the financial manager of a group of companies here in South Africa. Photography is just my hobby, has been for 15 years. I love it.

[testify2U]

I basically just hang around as well...
I homeschool, so I chill at home a lot.
I think that's why I like photography so much, because it's something that's outside my regular routine.

[Phil Fourie]

Can you tell me what equipment you use for your photography?

[testify2U]

LOL!!! I have very little to use at this point. I'm trying to buy things little by little, but military pay doesn't exactly fund that sort of spending!!!

I have:
Canon Digital Rebel XTi
18-55mm lens (came with the camera)
75-300mm lens (used, but works great)

and that's it...oh, I have a broken tripod...lol!!!
I have no flash save the one that's already built into the camera.
I have no filters.

exciting, eh?

[Phil Fourie]

Well that is already a very nice rig.

There is a easy way to fix tripods, it is called Duct Tape

I have almost the same sort of rig.

Nikon D80 DSLR
24-70 Sigma
75-300 Tamron
28-80 Nikon

Saving now to buy a Sigma 600mm lense. Expensive

Also have a plain Nikon SLR F60not digital, but it still takes nice photos and then I have a much older Pentax SLR which I do not use much anymore, the Pentax is what I started out on and had it for many years. I can't even remember the lenses I used with that camera, but they aren't compatible with anything remotely modern

[testify2U]

I am LOVING my digital Canon. I swear by it. I'm telling you, if it weren't for digital, I wouldn't even be doing this. So much of what I take is experimental. If it turns out, great. If not, scrap it and try again!!!
I wouldn't be able to do weddings. Too much stress, for sure!! You only get one chance at it!!!

[Phil Fourie]

I love digital too, but real photography for me was always to take that one moment and make the best of it. To know your gear and make quick decisions.

When I only did film, I automatically knew what my ISO and F-stop must be, now I see I am starting to loose that touch.

Digital is nice, but it has made me a lot worse in my photography. That is why I will still always take my F60 with to make sure I still have what it takes

[testify2U]

See, that's my handicap. I need those meters in my camera to tell me what I need to do, because I don't understand all the technicality behind it. I need to take some courses in it...it would make me a lot better I'm sure. Maybe when I get back to the States...

[Phil Fourie]

These things you usually learn with time, you learn to understand your camera.

What does help is see what settings the camera uses on auto for a spesific photo. Now, put your camera on manual and start with those settings the camera used and play around a bit with them. A little more ISO here or a little less there.

I find that my camera in some conditions overexposes some of my photos, so then I have to go manual. You will see some of my photos here are a little overexposed, especially the elephants, but with 7 tons of angry animal close to your car, you usually don't fiddle around, you just take them photos and keep them coming fast.

Here are some more nice photos from my recent vacation





PS! Your photos are great as is

[testify2U]

Incredible. I love photographing animals and creation. Just so much fun!!
I particularly like cats...I'm a big cat freak!!

I have found the same thing about my camera with the Auto settings. If I'm in full sunlight, I have a hard time getting it to expose properly. I have to mess around in manual.





Here a couple more of my photos. The only ones I currently have are the ones on my site. I'll have to photobucket some to show you...I've got some great portraits and animal pics I'd love to share...