Welcome

I got "serious" about photography about ten years ago. At the time, "serious" meant picking up a decent camera, one decent lens, and a massive raid of the local library. I quickly learned the technical fundamentals-- how to meter, what aperture and shutter controlled in the image. I learned about composition and design elements, although, these were not completely new to me. I built on these fundamentals slowly for years. I was making decent pictures, but not images I consider top notch.

I had let my passion for photography to go dormant. Then late last summer Nikon released the D700. No, I did not purchase one. But that announcement spurred my imagination, and I decided to bring photography to the top of my hobby list. I started carrying my camera more often. I started capturing more frames. I was making slightly better images than I was before, and I was accomplishing them more easily. This encouraged me and then, in typical "me" fashion, I got obsessed. I decided I wanted to make better images than I ever had before.

I know the only way to accomplish that is to apply what I know better and learn more to apply. In other words, Practice and Learn-- rinse, rather, repeat. So, I practiced and learned as much as I could. I found digital techniques I missed, like HDR. I also started to add artificial light into my bag of tricks thanks to blogs like Strobist, books like Light, Science, and Magic, and good old fashioned experimenting. Of course, I also worked on bettering previously "mastered" techniques.

Now my goal is to continue on this path and better my photography.

Lunch is Optional will be a collection of my images, stories on how I made them, and my thoughts on photography. It is primarily for me, and a way to share with those who grant me the chance to photograph them. If I can get feedback along the way, or if others find this interesting, even better.

Photo notes: snooted strobe camera left, above and behind cooperative model, ambient 2 stops under, some fill provided by white cardboard to the right.