As I have recorded earlier, in my profile, my name is Tina. I'm 37 years of age, married to a beautiful guy and have two gorgeous children. I live on the western coast of Western Australia after moving up from WA's goldfields just over 3 years ago.
It is only within the past 12 months that I have been REALLY bitten by the photography bug. I've always enjoyed taking the odd shot here and there, but now..... I find it very therapuetic and an extrememly good reason to get myself out of the house - my four walls are my sanctuary!
Pictures that I have taken - which I consider to be "Eh, it's alright" - have been received with many comments of approval and people asking "Why are you keeping these to yourself???"
I can't even take credit for creating this blog. A very good friend of mine back home is so keen for me to get my shots "recognised" that she insisted this was one good way to go and - with my approval of course - went ahead and set me up! Thankyou my darling friend, I appreciate EVERYTHING!!!
I remember, when I was growing up, rummaging around my parent's wardrobes and drawers - haven't we all done that? - coming across a beautiful SLR that belonged to my Dad. It was from then that my dream to own such a piece of equipment entered - and refused to leave - my head! I so wanted to ask my father if I could have his camera, but then my folks would've known that I had been through their personal belongings!! (To this day, I am still naive enough to believe that they have no idea!!!)
When I was 19 my parents separated and my Dad moved out of the family home, taking everything from his wardrobe with him, including the camera - which had never seen the light of day in all my years of existence!!!! Once the hurt of him leaving had passed and we resumed talking, I asked him oneday about this camera - I told him that I had come across it while putting some of his washing away for Mum - and what he'd done with it, and if he had it still, could I have it? I was devastated when he replied "That old thing. It was only an old camera that probably didn't even work, so I threw it away! If I'd realised you wanted it so much I would've given it to you.
I couldn't believe it, all I'd had to do was ask and I would've received!!!
Many years had passed, I enjoyed my life, fell in love (many a time!), had children, fell in love again, left my home town of 30+ years and was starting to question myself "Now what???" I was only working part-time, my children are growing up and mum's not so "cool" anymore to hang around with - that'll change - I was getting bored. Things that I used to do in the past, card-making, scrapbooking, etc... were no longer interesting to me, it seemed more of a chore to drag everything out to create something that only be looked at for 5 minutes - if lucky - then put (or thrown) away, never to be seen again. My partner - now DARLING, although suffering at times, husband - had been constantly hearing over and over about how annoyed I was currently getting with my current point/shoot pocket sized digital camera. It must've been too much for him to bear one day as he took me out shopping and surprised me with my current BABY!!! A Nikon D70s which, even after being in my possession for just over 3 years now, I am STILL trying to find my way around!!!! For ages it used to be tucked away, safe in it's bag, only to be brought out on "special trips" or occassions. Now, as the bug bites harder and harder, it is constantly sitting - in the ready - waiting for me to pick it up on my way out the door, to drop the kids off at school and wander our beautiful coastal town and shoot away.
The accessories have been purchased, the "bag" has been upgraded and the shots are - slowly - getting better. It's taken most of my life, but I think it's safe for me to now say, I think I have found my niche!!!
Please bear in mind, that - as stated earlier - I am still only finding my feet - but I really hope you enjoy what I am now willing to share with the world!!!
With that said, I will now leave you as I go and continue the day to day, repetitive grind that is my life. Take care, stay safe xx
