Center Stage~Anita

[karenc]

Anita

Sweet Smell
Sweet Smell
This photo is very special to me firstly because it is of my daughter and secondly because it was my very first POTD. No matter how many photos I may ever take or how much better I may get at taking them, this one will always be my favourite.

Preferences

• What camera gear do you currently use, and what will be your next piece of camera kit?

• I'm getting ready to wean myself off of my Fujifilm FinePix 3800 to my new Canon EOS 10D.

• Are you considered an expert at any aspect of photography?

• No, just an amateur with a passion for it.

• Are you considered the 'go to' person for family shots and friendly portraits?

• Yes, and I love doing it!

• What is your "Ultimate tip" for beginners?

• Lots of practice & questions. Take photos of everything & get a feel for what you like best.
  

• What would be your dream location, if you had the choice?

• Wow, there are so many to choose from. One would have to be Ireland. Maybe it's the Irish in me but I've always loved the scenery.

The Llama
This was a fun photo shoot for me as we spent the day at the zoo. I must've taken 200 photos of this llama. Her eyes, teeth & fur just made her very photogenic!

Performance & Plans

• When & how did you get interested in photography?

• There was a picture hanging on the wall as I was growing up that a great uncle took. It was in black & white & was a single set of tire tracks through fresh snow. I always loved that picture & remember wishing that one day I could take pictures like that.
  

• If you had unlimited resources, what aspect of photography would you have a go at?

• Portraits, I find it quite challenging & very rewarding when you get it right.

• What are your photographic goals?

• To keep learning more & more & one day I hope to have a home studio in my basement.
  

• Have you won any awards for your photography?

• Not yet but then again, I haven't entered any contests yet either.

• Does your lifestyle influence your photography?

• In some ways. I'm fortunate to have the weekends off work so that allows me the time to enjoy my photography.

• Are you aiming for a particular achievement right now?

• Yes, I'm hoping to learn as much as I can about my new camera.

Red Lady In The Snow
I'm becoming very fond of snow scenes. It's a good thing too, since we seem to be getting alot of the white stuff this winter!

Passion

• About what aspect of photography do you feel most passionate?

• That's a tough one. I just have a passion for photography in general but I'm probably most fond of people & animals.

• Do you have any famous photographer that you get inspiration from?  If not, where do you look for inspiration?

• No, I look for inspiration in everything. I spend hours looking through gallerys, magazines, etc. I find myself constantly noticing something thinking.. that would make an awesome shot!

• Do you get inspiration from the pictures in the Gallery?

• My inspiration found in the Gallery is never ending! I find it here daily.

• Which Cafe members inspire your photography and why?

• I don't think it would be fair to name only a few. There are many members that I find very inspiring. Some have developed such amazing style that I recognize their work before seeing their name.

• What is the most interesting thing you've ever shot? The most boring?

• I would have to say hummingbirds are the most interesting. They have the most amazing personalities & I love the challenge of capturing them.
  

• As a digital photographer, would you ever go back to film and if not, why not?

• No, I like the editing aspect in digital photography.

• Have you ever been so frustrated with the hobby that you wanted to quit?

• Never!

Days Of Old
A little touch of nostalgia. There's something I find myself drawn to in these types of photos, maybe it's the simplicity of past times.

Practices

• Have you ever taken any classes in Photography

• No, I have studied online & from magazines for many years & there is alot of very helpful information in the Gallery.

• Do you shoot in Manual mode?

• Yes, most always.

• What's your viewpoint on photo editing?

• I'm all for it but for me, I feel it should be kept to a minimum. Enhancing the original image is great but I feel like too too much can make the picture look fake instead of natural.

• In a normal session, how many photos do you take and how many would you expect to keep?

• I normally take 100 & keep about 5 of them.

• Do you cancel outside shoots on overcast days, or go and shoot the misery instead?

• Never! Some of the best pictures can be taken on overcast days.

• If you could only shoot one style of photography, what would it be and what would be your second choice?

• Portraits & Weddings

• Why do you concentrate on your favorite subject matter eg birds landscapes etc

• Well, I enjoy photographing a wide variety of subjects so I can't say I concentrate more on just one area.

• What are your favourite photos on the Cafe and why?

• I love the scenic photos! I think it's because we don't have beautiful waterfalls or ocean sunsets, etc. where I live so I just love seeing them.
  

Can You Spare A Treat
Can You Spare A Treat
The squirrels are a favourite of mine, as well as black & white photography. They have the most expressive little faces and as you can see in this photo, it is impossible to not make sure they get a few treats each day!

Little Cutie
Little Cutie
I could & have spent hours photographing animals. Cats are a favourite of mine as you just never know what they will do next! There's something about their expressive faces & I like capturing their playfullness.

ANITA's Gallery

Many thanks to Anita for giving us some insights into her photographic life.  We would appreciate seeing any other questions you would like to ask her.   Please post them here and Anita will do her best to give an answer.  When you have done that why not head over to ANITA'S Gallery and see the rest of her wonderful work.




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[karenc]

Welcome to Center Stage Anita, i hope you enjoy your time in the spotlight. 

[RockArea]

Hi Anita, it's great to see you featured here. It doesn't seem five minutes ago that you started at the Cafe and your photography has improved so much in that time and you've become a really classy photographer. The transition from compact to DSLR doesn't seem to have fazed you either. Would you say you're lucky to be a fast learner or do you feel you have to put lots of work in to get the improvments?

David

[Chocky]

Welcome to Centre Stage Anita
 
What a super set of photos

Lovely set of photos. I love the Squirrel best and i also love the Little Cutie
The Wagon is superb and your daughter is lovely

Well done and congratulations on your Parade 

[Anita]

Thank you Karen. 

Beryl, Thank you, you are so very sweet! 

David, Thank you so very much for your kind words!       I do feel like I've been very lucky with the transfer plus I've read over all the information in the Cafe & studied ALOT!!! There are so many helpful posts in here & I want to thank everyone for those helpful posts & suggestions. 

[Sheratan]

I can understand why you love Sweet Smell so much. It's a gorgeous portrait. 
I just love the llama though. They're such weird creatures with so much personality.

[leo]

What a fabulous collection of shots, each lovely in their own special way.

Enjoy your time on Center Stage Anita, you deserve it  

[Anita]

@ Sheratan,  Thank you for your kind words.   I fell in love with the llama! She was mesmerized by my daughters necklace so she followed us around forever that day. 


@ Leo, Thank you so much, how very kind of you. 

[branny]

Good morning Anita. I am so pleased to be able to hand the Centre stage over to you. Your photographic skills have shown tremendous improvement over the short time I have been on this site. It is interesting yes good tat you post a great number of mono images.
I hope you enjoy your stint on here and that you enjoy it as much as I did.
Danny

[Julie]

Well, what a treat that was to read and look at!


Anita- if a new law was passed that said you could only photograph one subject and it couldn't be any of your current passions-which subject would you choose?!

[BigAl]

A great read Anita. My question is one that I've asked others before:

Which do you value more; a 'well done' comment or a helpful piece of critique on your Gallery entry.

[Anita]

@ Danny.. Thank You & Good Morning to you as well!   Your photos have been very inspiring to me, the landscaping you have is so very beautiful & you always seem to be able to capture that beauty. 

@ Julie.. Aww, Thank You so much for the kind words.   As far as your question.. Wow, if that law were passed, I would have to say I would choose landcapes/scenery. (I think I would possibly turn into a little rebel as well because I can't imagine not being ever to photograph my daughter again)! 

@ Al.. Thank You!    To answer your question, I am always very grateful for any advice I am given in here. It helps me to see my image from anothers viewpoint & how to possibly make that image even better. It is encouraging to recieve a nice comment when you do well also. 

[RonP]

Anita, Congratulations on Center Stage, a good read.

You have fantastic images and it is difficult to select any one, but I love the portrait of your daughter a great conversion to black and white, and also the wagon stays in my mind as I like the sepia treatment, but they are all wonderful.

Ron

[Pipeman]

Congratulations Anita - enjoy your time on the Stage!

Many of your images are edited - very well too - how much do you enjoy tweaking them after the event?

[scoundrel1728]

Love the plush, somewhat goofy-looking llama!

[Zoot]

Great shots, and I love the variety!

[Sheryl]

Its great to see you on Centre Stage Anita. A very interesting read. I've learned more about you and your character. Of course I like the barn photo best but I did enjoy the llama and the squirrel's cute too. I hope you enjoy your time in here. You are very deserving. You're a terrific photographer and I always look forward to seeing your posts. You've also been one of many very helpful people in the gallery to me. Thanks! I really enjoy your monos as well.

[Anita]

@ RonP.. Thank You so much for your kind comments, really means alot! 

@ Ron... Thank You!     To answer your question.. I try to keep tweaking to a minimum with the exception of mono conversion & maybe a vignette now & then. I am all for improving a photo but I try to keep it a little more natural looking.

@ Scoundrel.. Thank You! The llama was a wonderful character of a subject for sure! 

@ Zoot.. Thank You, very sweet of you to say! 

@ Sheryl.. Thank You for your kind words!     It's been a pleasure seeing your shots & watching you improving all the time. 

[branny]

Anita all I seem to be doing these days is saying congratulations Anita. You have been producing some great stuff recently and thouroughly deserving all the awards.Your photography is improving immensely.
Danny