~ Hypatia ~'s photostream  

Since joining as part of classroom assignment way back in 2007, I have learned so much about photography and still love it! Technique, composition, color, lighting, ~ you name it. There is always something new to learn about photography. And someone new to learn from! Sometimes I like to throw all of that aside, and just shoot for fun and see what I get! My journey into the world of photography started with wanting to improve my general photo-taking skills (less red-eye, bad composition, etc.) and has taken me to many, many more places. My photos aren't always "professional", but they are "fun" for me. They are a reflection of me, a style that follows my inspirations at that particular moment. My camera is never far from me. Somehow, I always come back to it.

CAMERA/LENS: Most of the earlier photos were taken with a simple Canon Powershot A75. With that GREAT camera, I learned a lot about composition, lighting, etc. and that I needed to avoid power lines and trash cans in the background (or PHOTOSHOP to the rescue!). I literally wore that camera out, and when it could not reproduce one more single image on the chip, I then purchased a Nikon D60 (in hindsight, would have purchased D40 or D90) with the kit lens 18-55mm, and learned about aperture, shutter speed, metering and exposures. At times, I was overwhelmed and just used "auto". Then I purchased a 70-300mm lens and learned how important it is to use a tripod and master manual focusing. Next, I purchased a 55-200mm AF-S lens with VR. Wow, with this lens, I learned how great auto-focus and VR is!!! Finally, I have on loan a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens and am now learning about bokeh shots, which is currently my favorite technique.

EDITING: I used to edit photos with Paint Shop Pro V. 6.0 - old, but powerful software editing tool. With that software, I mastered my "Photoshopping" skills. I quickly learned how great those tools can be for not only touching up photos, but also creating new ones. I learned about layers, masks, RGB, and used them as creatively as I wanted! I still love PSP, but since I now teach Photoshop at a local community college, I needed to update my software. I now use Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Elements 9, Picasa 3, and Picnik. With these newer software programs, I have learned to enjoy the new "bells and whistles", but still sometimes rely on the old "tried-and-true" methods for photo-editing as well.

Currently, and as always, I enjoy taking photos and doing something a little different or interesting in some way. I don't always hit the mark, though, but I still keep experimenting and trying anyway!

I enjoy talking back and forth with my contacts, so if you would like to become one, please add me. And please leave comments on a photo from time to time....good, bad or otherwise....it's okay. An honest opinion doesn't offend me (much...just kidding).



"In the starry expanse that has no dwellings: forces of the universe, interior virtues, harmonious union of earth and heaven that delights the mind and the ear and the eye, that offers an attainable ideal to all wise men and a visible splendor to the beauty of the soul." Hypatia From a dramatic work by Leconte de Lisle, 1857)