**amber_**'s photostream  

I started taking pictures years ago with an old Canon AE-1 35mm. I upgraded back in March 2007 to a Canon Digital Rebel XT (or 350D i believe outside the States). I have since upgraded again to a Canon 40D and invested in a vast array of lenses and lights. (This hobby is fast becoming expensive and I see no end in sight!) I also purchased a vintage Kodak Duraflex camera - which i have yet to use.

Communicating is crucial, yet a constant struggle for me. I possess a reflective view of the world and my place in it and my art focuses on deconstructing that view. I aim to capture the details that are often overlooked. In my landscape work, I utilize color, contrast, and texture in order to create a mood or atmosphere incongruous to otherwise familiar places and objects. In my portrait work, I aim to unveil the hidden essence of a person – parts of the persona that often lie just below the surface.

By challenging the conventional methods of photography, pushing post processing and incorporating graphic design, I seek to inspire an emotional connection and tell an engaging story by transforming simple moments into scenes that seduce a viewer and draw them in deeper.

I’m a graphic designer by day, but a self taught photographer by night… or day.

I haven’t quite been able to nail down exactly what kind of photography I create because I find myself taking photos of just about anything that catches my eye – and sometimes odd stuff does the capturing.

My main interest is photographing people, but I definitely enjoy mucking around in the woods, scampering through graveyards and exploring abandoned buildings (when i can find them – there is something emotional about the neglect and decay). I have also, for the most part, gotten past worrying about people looking at me funny when I decide the best angle for a photo is lying down on the ground – be it road, rock, grass or sidewalk.

Recently, some of my photos have appeared in 2 separate Time Life Magazine publications - their photo editors having found my work through flickr.com (yeah!). Perhaps one day, I will be able to do this full time, but for now, I am having a blast learning as I go. Please feel free to leave comments or criticisms (so long as they are constructive).

Oh... and if you fave any of my photos or add me as a contact and you:
a) have no photos of your own
b) have stream full of pics of 'your junk'
c) belong to almost exclusively porn groups
I will block you - so don't bother. I'm not here to get your rocks off.