Capturing Life's Moments My First Shots and What I Learned

In the midst of a barren, wintry woodland, a vibrant red cardinal perches on a branch, its striking color illuminating the dull landscape and symbolizing a pivotal moment of change and inspiration.

I still remember the first day I used my camera. It was a cold day on December 23ed. There was no snow, the skies were grey, but the wind was still. I was off from work with a staycation and with nothing planned, I headed out to my parents land.

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing with a camera. I only knew how to turn it on, point, and shoot. I didn't understand what ISO meant, what aperture was, or what shutter speed did. If you had asked me about the exposure triangle, I would have responded with, "What is that?"

Without having any idea of what I was doing, I switched on the camera with a Tamron 18-200mm lens attached and began to wander. Initially, nothing caught my eye. All I saw were grey skies and trees surrounded by fallen leaves. I will admit, I felt frustrated at first because I wanted to capture something immediately, yet nothing stood out. All I noticed were dead leaves, grey skies, and everything else you might envision when thinking of doom and gloom. I was about to give up and return to the vehicle when I finally saw it.

In the mist of the doom and gloom a cardinal flew past me. I thought to myself "Wow, there's something else here alive besides me," and then began to follow it. Although I couldn't get really close to the cardinal, I managed to capture a photo of it. That was when my photography eyes opened up.

Although the skies were gray and everything appeared lifeless around me, there was still beauty to be hold. I spent hours wandering, noticing things with my photographer's eye that I hadn't seen before, and began taking photos. I experimented with different angles, focused on various objects, and used different focal lengths. I still had no idea what I was doing, but I was enjoying myself, and that's what mattered most.

I was enjoying myself so much that I didn't notice how cold I was. The adrenaline was flowing, and I wanted to continue taking photos and searching for new and unique shots. Eventually, the cold overpowered the adrenaline, and I returned to the vehicle. Despite freezing, I was still eager to upload the photos to my phone to share them with my friends and family.

I'll be the first to acknowledge that these photos aren't outstanding by any means, and they certainly don't belong in a gallery or on the cover of a magazine. However, we need to remember that no one has ever picked up a camera for the very first time and immediately captured breathtaking images that leave viewers in awe. Photography is a skill that develops over time, requiring practice, patience, and a keen eye for detail.

These photos remain incredibly close to my heart and hold a special significance for me. They represent a pivotal moment in my life—the very first time I truly began to see and appreciate the world's beauty in a way that I had never experienced before. In those early days of exploration with my camera, I was captivated by the simple yet profound aspects of my surroundings and all because of a cardinal.

Cardinals carry a range of symbolic meanings across various cultures, often signifying hope, comfort, and messages from deceased loved ones. They are also viewed as symbols of loyalty, strength, and new beginnings. I'm still uncertain about my beliefs. The cardinal may have been a message from my brother who passed away at a young age, or from my friends Tim and Matt who also left this world too soon. In a way, the cardinal initiated a new beginning for me. It opened my eyes and revealed a path I never knew existed—a path that led me to concert photography, introduced me to new friends, created lasting memories, pushed me beyond my comfort zone, inspired the creation of this blog and website, and brought light during dark times.