5 months into 2019 and so far it’s been a weird one. I’ve lost my way countless times and gone into dark places but also there have been several glimpses of light too.

Mentally wise I’m in a better place now than I was say 2/3 months ago. A lot of things have changed, some for the better, some for the worse but one thing is for sure. I’m still here. Whenever I have a setback, I know eventually I’ll get back up again. It’s just a shame that the things I love most take a huge hit.

My photography definitely has somewhat taken a back burner. Over time I’ve developed a lot of bad habits which only now I’m starting to notice and attempt to fix. I’ve taken the opportunity to follow advice. For years I’ve seen many YouTube guides and always thought they couldn’t help, I was wrong. I recently came across Mike Browne’s YouTube page which honestly, has provided me with so much new information.

For so long I’ve been viewing myself, wrongly, that I’ve been stumbling along as a photographer for 10 years. I couldn’t possibly look at tips for beginners, I couldn’t be a beginner after practicing for 10 years, right? No. I have learnt so much and wish that I could start all over again. In all honesty being stuck in my head and thinking I was better than I was has made this alot more difficult to improve.

This is why I started the beginner course (A Year With My Camera), whilst at the moment I feel I don’t need to post the pictures as it is focusing on, rightly, teaching beginners how to move from auto to manual. I am going to start posting the weekly shots soon I hope. Week 4 is due to be posted tomorrow which is putting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO all together for the first time.

I keep saying this but I need to start taking the camera out everywhere with me again, you never know when a picture will arise. I have actually lost count how many times I’ve said “I wish I had my camera, that would make an amazing picture”.

I don’t help myself…

– Rachael