It amazes me everytime I line up a shot what a mental process it is. There is so much to think about...the light,framing of the photo,camera settings,the subject,foreground,background,the weather,attention span of your model(s)...and the list goes on. Now I am not saying that I don't ever point and shoot but I really enjoy putting my brain in gear for the challenging image.

Anyone else out there enjoy the brain/camera workout?

I just wondered today if I am weird for carrying my camera everywhere I go...even to the grocery store?

I was inspired to write this today because I was out driving around and suddenly saw a several wild turkeys crossing the road. Despite quick parking and my best sneaky walking they all got away from me anyway!! But at least I felt good having a camera at hand.

So how about anyone out there...do you carry yours and what exciting image has been your reward??

Here is an image of a lucky encounter I had with a box turtle.

Recently I entered a photography contest that required 4" by 6" prints. I put some images on a disk and headed off to the local Kodak machine to print them out (my printer is not quite up to the job!) Only when they came out of the machine, all warm and shiny, did I realize that it has been over a year since I had held my real pictures in my hand. I'd forgotten the rewarding feeling of great prints. No bending over the computer examining pixels at 100% or squinting looking for noise. Just photos in my hand. If you haven't printed any 'old fashioned photos" recently give it a try.