. . . and the March Photographer of the Month is . . .

 Liza Rosales - congratulations!!

Wow! What an honor it is to be selected as Photographer of the Month from amongst the amazing photographers in South County Photo Club. What can I say about photography….well, I’ve always been so amazed at what our eyes can see through the lens. I truly believe there is so much beauty out there to photograph and I am so glad I can capture some it myself.

I love photography….actually, it’s a passion! I’m always trying to perfect my pictures by constantly going out to shoot. If I could go every day, I would, and I try to go every weekend when I can. I cannot say that I am technically knowledgeable about cameras, but I do try hard to understand what it can do for me and my pictures.

The very first time the photo bug had hit me was around the beginning of middle school, when for the first time, I opened a National Geographic Magazine. It had this amazing photograph of an Arab man…with very piercing eyes on the cover. After that, I asked my parents to subscribe to the magazine just so I could look at the photographs. I don’t even remember what my very first camera was, but I do remember that I saved my money so I could purchase my first Pentax. I used that camera ragged, constantly going out to shoot anything that moved or just about anyone who was willing to have their picture taken.

In high school, I attended several athletic events, lunch concerts, plays, and so on, just to have an opportunity to take pictures. By my sophomore year, I had moved on to a Konica and started using black and white films. I thought photographs were so much more dramatic in black and white. By my senior year, I’d finally decided I wanted to become a photojournalist for Life Magazine and purchased my very first Canon; an AE-­‐1. But to my dismay, Life Magazine had already begun reducing their circulation and my dream of becoming a photographer for them began to fade. I did decide to take two semesters of Photography at a Junior College though, just to get my fill of making images.

The photographer in me never disappeared, but it did go into hiatus for several years. I would occasionally bring out my camera, (this time a Minolta Maxumm,) and photograph landscapes when we were on vacation. I would take photos of my children or when I was at concerts. It’s hard to say why I never pursued photography. The only explanation I can come up with was that it somehow became an unimportant dream as personal and family responsibilities took over.

Just recently my daughter began playing in college ball so I decided to try photography again by shooting sports. I also needed to modernize and go digital. For the longest time, I had refused digital, but now I’m so glad I purchased my first Canon XT and began shooting volleyball matches for the college. That’s when I realized how much I really wanted to get back in photography. I attended many volleyball matches (indoor and beach) and just shoot.

As much as I shoot sports, I am still drawn to shoot nature, landscapes and people. My daughter is the one who really encouraged me to get back into it. Now, I have purchased another Canon and some added accessories, (meaning lenses,) and I go out and shoot almost every weekend. I am so thankful that my husband and family understand this re-­‐found passion of mine. And I am very thankful that I found a new family in South County Photo Club. I feel fortunate to be with amazing people and amazing photographers. The club helps me better myself by helping me fully understand what photography is about…it has now become a challenge to me. Every shot is a challenge, and I myself, what can I do next to improve my images.