Mapping My Journey: From Where I Started to Where I Am Now

An Anna's hummingbird getting nectar from a tree

I recall entering the first Nikon camera store at a shopping mall close to my home. The array of cameras fascinated me, and if the salesman had shown me any camera, I likely would have purchased it. I was completely clueless and needed guidance. I was shy and unsure of how to approach seasoned photographers to learn from them. Regarding learning the craft, I thought, “How difficult could it be?” My plan was to travel the world and work for National Geographic. I never realized the amount of effort required to become one of their photographers. You don’t choose National Geographic; they choose you! Being good at photography isn’t enough; other skills are necessary too. I was in over my head. The camera I eventually bought wasn’t from Nikon but from the now-defunct Ritz Camera. The great thing was that camera classes were included. My instructor taught us to use Manual mode from the beginning, and I’ve never dared to use Auto, thinking it’s only for beginners.

My D40x has been with me since 2008, with the shutter failing in a year I can't recall. It still functions, and when it finally breaks, I plan to sell it for parts. I purchased the D3300 from eBay as a backup, and finally, the D800 , which I’ve always desired as a more professional camera. I once owned the D300 but found it too complex to learn. However, I find the D800 easier to use. I really love this camera and use it almost exclusively for my wildlife photography. Recently, I took my first photos of people, which was quite intimidating for me since I have no experience in that area. I was worried the lighting wouldn’t be right, or that I might forget how to operate the camera entirely. During the shoot, the speedlite fell off, which was incredibly embarrassing. That had never happened before, and I heard the whole room gasp. The relief was immense when I realized my external strobe was still functioning properly. Haha! I just hope I did it justice because I’ve been asked to do another assignment. That's all for now!