My 1st Photography Birthday!

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

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Alasdair Fowler
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
 
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
 
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.
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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
 
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! :)
 
Great post Messiah, I have followed your posts regularly on here, and also noticed you popping up by menas of a mention in other peoples posts :)
I take my hat off to you, well done and it's been a pleasure participating in these forums with you.
Good luck for the future.
 
happy 1st photography birthday, great read, your images are simply amazing, i like yourself used to use a pint and shoot just for holiday snaps etc. then at the beginning of the year decided to take it up as a hobby, and bought myself a 400D,

if thats what you have picked up and learned in 1 year i will cant wait to see images of yours in the future, keep up the excellent work. :clap::clap::clap:
 
Thank you my darling :) It has been a great adventure for me too - meeting you being the best part :love: I will continue to look on in amazement (and hold things!) as you go from strength to strength and make us all proud. Happy photography birthday! x
 
to say it's only a year since you started there are some very nice images there, keep up the good work !

Alan
 
First of many successful years that man ;) I agree some super shots there MK ;)
 
Happy 1st Birthday!

Absolutly amazing story and some fantastic images. In one year you have gone from novice to inspiration. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Whatever it is I hope you enjoy it with all the passion you so obviously put into it.
 
Absoultely Stunning! not one bad one, though i'm sad that Terence the treecreeper and Dennis the dipper never mad it in to your birthday post ;)

But what are you going to do for the next year, i can't seem any room for improvement!!

Have a an e-beer on me :beer:

Jonathan

ps the TC's are doing their magic ;)
 
Congratulations, You have shown some stunning shots over that year, I was only saying on irc the other night that imo your married to nature shot is one of the best macro shots I have ever seen, well done.
 
Happy first photographic birthday!

The standard of your work only gets better as you get 'older'.;)
 
many snappy returns



some truly amazing shots


particularly liking the B&W shots
 
Wow, it has obviously been quite a year for you!! Lets hope it continues as successfully :)
 
wow - some brilliant pieces of work in there!

Looking forward to seeing more from you.
 
:woot::clap: congratulations, not just on your first year but your insect macro shots are some of the best shots i have ever seen, ever!. looking forward to seeing more of your fantastic images in this next year, and i will be trying to learn from you as well! lol. :woot::clap:
 
Some cracking images MK ... :thumbs: ... a really impressive collection for your first milestone ... :suspect: ... you have set your bar very high ... :D







:p
 
:thumbs:

thats all

:thumbs:
 
:clap::clap: A great post, and a very happy birthday :thumbs:
Some great pictures there :clap:
 
some absolutely stunning shots in there mate, happy birthday :)
 
What an amazing collection of images, from only 12 months of photography. Fantastic!

Cathy
 
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