Matt Pettengill's photostream  

I enjoy photography as a hobby, not simply for the act of taking a photograph, but because photography gives me an opportunity (or perhaps an excuse?) to do many of the things I enjoy. These other, complimentary activities include being out doors, traveling to new and interesting places, and generally making attempts at having an adventure.

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's often the case that a photograph, or series of photographs I've taken, inspire me to write. Or, on the opposite side, I find that what I write can be supported by a photograph of mine. Photography also allows me to use technology, something I've always been interested in, to enhance my creativity.

Also, on a mildly narcissistic note, my friends and piers recognize and appreciate my photographic work. At the end of the day, making money at photography isn't my primary goal because it is a hobby that genuinely enhances my enjoyment of life, and that's something no amount of money can purchase.

Photography has also been an excellent learning experience for me. There are the technical aspects that must be learned to be successful, but but also deeper, more introspective types of learning. For example, I think that one of the most important things that photography has taught me is to be patient, stop, look, and wait for just the right moment to take a picture. To observe my subject, so I know the perfect moment to capture an image.

Hardware:
Canon Rebel XT
Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 Lens (new kit lens - replaces my old one)
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lense (cheap, but gets the job done)
Canon EF 50mm prime f/1.8 II Lense (again, cheap, but this has great optics)
SLIK CF-7080 TW Ultra-Violet and Circular Polarized Filters (2 sets: 58mm and 52mm)
Canon RC1 Remote

Yashica 250-AF w/ 28-85 macro and 70 to 210mm Telephoto lenses and hot-shoe flash. My one-and-only film camera.

Canon SD750 point-and-shoot digital camera. I use this primarily for taking time-lapse video using CHDK open-source firmware and timer script. I also use this out in my kayak and elsewhere where taking my XT isn't practical.

Fujifilm FinePix 1300 point-and-shoot digital camera. Field tested and extremely durable :-). Got this for free. Presently it's living with my Brother.

Canon 8400-F Flatbed Scanner - I use this to get the negatives from my film camera into digital format.

Sunpak Tripod

ThinkPad Laptop
A couple Windoze PCs

Software:
Canon RAW Image Processor
Adobe PhotoShop.CS3
Picasa

Wish List:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens (pricy)
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom (pricy)

Professional
UMaine Graduate, BA English, 2004.
Project Coordinator, Goold Health Systems

Home Town:
Litchfield, Maine

Current Location:
Hallowell, Maine

MySpace profile
www.mattpettengill.net