My 1st Photography Birthday!

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Soldato
Joined
1 Sep 2005
Posts
10,001
Location
Scottish Highlands
Its my 1st Photography Birthday today! :D One year ago today I picked up my camera and decided to start using it for artistic purposes. I had occasionally used a point and shoot camera before that, but only to record events. Little did I know that Photography would change and shape my life in such a drastic way that it has. The following post is a summary of the roller coaster year that was my 1st year as a photographer.

It all started on April the 13th 2007. It was a nice spring day, so I decided to pick up my camera (Konica Minolta Dimage Z3) and wander round the garden, then around the fields out back. I simply snapped anything that caught my eye, with no understanding of composition or the technical aspects of Photography. When I was finished, I came back and posted them on the internet for critique. To my suprise, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive (Thanks you lot. :)) I think it was these positive comments that encouraged me to keep snapping. And as these comments and critique continued, so did my newfound love for Photography.

On April the 13th, I took some shots in the garden and in the local fields. Today I returned to those spots and recreated some of the shots. I realise that some of the origional shots may be better, but today's exercise was simply to recreate the shots and revisit the locations where it all started. Also the conditions today were a lot different to how they were a year ago. A year ago it was sunny with all the flowers in bloom. Today it was cold and grey, with many of the flowers yet to bloom (Especially the blackthorn). A year on;

13th April 2007
pict0148cv7.jpg

13th April 2008
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13th April 2007
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13th April 2008
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13th April 2007
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13th April 2008
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13th April 2007
pict0025un3.jpg

13th April 2008
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13th April 2007
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13th April 2008
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13th April 2007
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13th April 2008
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Oh, by the way, I didn't warn you that this thread would contain a LOT of photographs did I?:p

As with many people, my photography began with flower macrography;

F1.
Flower7_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

F2.
Guradian_of_the_purple_cave_2_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


This however soon moved on to cover pretty much anything and everything. Landscapes would be a common theme throughout the year;

L1.
Field_of_Clouds_2_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

L2.
The_ebb_and_flow_of_industry_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

L3.
Blue_light_district_by_MessiahKhan.jpg
 
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Following the rapidly gained obsession with photography, also came the rapidly hording of photography equipment. After only a few weeks, I placed the Z3 on a shelf and bought myself a Nikon D40X (Which within 9 moths was replaced by a D300). And after reading an article about David Burdeny (http://www.davidburdeny.com/) I was encouraged to buy a 10stop Nd filter which would make its mark on my work, especially Landscape and Seascape shots;

LE1.
Fatefull_barn_3_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

LE2.
Beached_rock_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

LE3.
Over_the_path_to_point_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


But it is wildlife photography that has been my main pastime over the last year. It started off with insect macrography (Start shooting with Hoya closeup filter on kit lens, then moving on to Sigma 150mm f2.8);

IM1.
Leap_into_the_unknown_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM2.
Plant_of_smooth_red_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM3.
Why_the_long_face__by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM4.
Water_water_everywhere_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM5.
X_marks_the_spot_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM6.
Jack_the_ladybird_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM7.
Eternal_embrace_by_MessiahKhan.jpg
 
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IM8.
Blue_Wind_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM9.
Purple_elegance_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM10.
Order_of_the_Odanata_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

IM11.
We_see_eye_to_eye_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


And when the insects curled up and went to sleep for the winter, I moved on to other wildlife (I started shooting with the 150mm Sigma, then invested in a Sigma 300mm f2.8 and gimbal head);

W1.
More_than_you_can_chew_1_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W2.
Startled_stalker_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W3.
The_king_hunts_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W4.
King_of_his_land_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W5.
Big_yawn_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W6.
Its_a_waiting_game_by_MessiahKhan.jpg
 
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W7.
Blue_prince_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W8.
Leroy_the_Longtailtit_by_MessiahKhan.jpg

W9.
Charlotte_the_Chaffinch_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


But my most successfull shot of the year by far was not a Landscape or Wildlife shot. It was a candid portrait;

LRPS_06_by_MessiahKhan.jpg


This image of the miner has now made me a decent amount of money, as well as coming 2nd in an art competition and exhibition. Going to Durham miners Gala where the image was taken was only a last minute thing. That day I was going to head to a certain field to try and photograph Burnet Moths, but as it was so windy I decided to head to the Gala instead. Funny how things work out like that.

Over the last year Photography has lead me on many adventures, made me look and appreciate the world around me and changed my life for the better. But it also lead me to meet my lovely girlfriend Sarah. She is now my Girlfriend, best friend, assistant and photographer in her own right. So when you read this.. thank you Sarah. :) And thank you everyone who has taken the time to read this thread, comment on any of my work over the last year and generally encouraged me along this journey. To those who invented Photography; I salute you! :)
 
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Great post MK, youve come a hell of a long way in a short space of time!! Your photography actually encoraged me to try macrography too! Im no where near as good as you though :P Good Luck in the future.
 
Not really much else to say mate, other than its absolutely amazing & inspiring. It's always a pleasure looking through your photographs.
 
Is it just me or has the miner photo gone on strike?
EDIT:working now!

All fantastic photos - what you've done in a year is incredible.
 
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Stunning shots MK

i'm also getting into photography atm.

Can you post where you took those photos as well?
Looks like you've visited a lot of places recently.

sid
 
The photograph of the miner is beautiful. The contrast and composition are to the tee, spot on. You have captured everything about the subject , his feelings and expressions have all come out in the photograph.
I have enjoyed looking through your collection and you have a very impressive set there.

Keep it up.
 
You really have advanced so far in a year, i only wish i could have advanced as fast as you did.

Your pictures are stunning, i really like your insect macros.

Best of luck for the future and well done!

Josh
 
Some of those insect shots are real stunners. You inspire me so much MK to go out and snap, and its always such an anticlimax when I come back and look at what I've taken and realise they are all crap. Then you come along and post another set of amazing pictures, which makes me more determined to go out and get better!

Keep up the good work Messiah, its always a pleasure looking at your shots.
 
Congrats on the photo-birthday matey, good to see you managed to recreate your first day, though I must say, your original 2007 shots didn't leave a lot of room for improvement!

Thanks for all the advice you've given me also, really appreciate it!
 
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