Greetings from Florida's Emerald Coast

[billweckel]

Hello,

Just signed up and wanted to introduce myself. I live in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida (the Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach area) and bought my first DSLR last October. I bought it primarily to photograph the scale model aircraft and ships that I build, but living at the beach and surrounded by national forest, the opportunities for nature photography got me to pull the blinders off and take a good look around me. I'm fascinated by birds, and have kept pet parrots all my life.

I have no idea what I'm doing, and when I do manage to take a decent picture, it's 90% luck. I think I'll learn a lot here. I'd also like to get involved with other nature photographers or groups in my area if anyone has any information. My other hobby is well organized and has a informal but very active mentoring program which has been invaluable to my progress and which I've been able to repay to some extent. I'm hoping to find something similar in photography.

Here's my Flickr page with some bird shots from my beach and forest hikes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billweckel/

Thanks for reading!

Bill

[Christopher Miller]

Welcome to BPN, Bill! You've definitely come to the right place to learn. Looking forward to your participation!

[Ian Cassell]

Welcome, Bill. I'm at work, but was able to take a quick look at your page and there is lots of good stuff there to work with! This is a great place to learn. Hop in and start posting (may I suggest the "Eager To Learn" thread to get your feet wet).

[LinzRiverBalmer]

Welcome Bill....

I'm new here too.

i went to your site, for just luck I'd say you are a very lucky person.

phenomenal Heron shots, and your macro stuff is gorgeous!!!

minor cropping and composition learning to do, but photography is ways changing so always learning.

whats in as a fad one year will be gone the next.

my father is a professional and does tons of work for artists such as shooting small figurines, model cars, etc.

i think you picked a good camera, I really like a bunch of stuff on your Flickr page.

[James Shadle]

Welcome to BPN!
"I have no idea what I'm doing" - stick around here, that will change.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hi Bill and welcome to our awesome Community. As James said if you stick around you will certainly learn a thing or two as well as get some inspiration to keep growing. I have belonged to several different photography forums and this one tops them all for me. I too checked out your page and it is obvious to me that you have the most important part already which is the natural feel for the craft. I think with some good direction and an open mind you will be surprised at your progression in the next few years. Looking forward to your input

[Daniel Cadieux]

A big welcome to BPN Bill! Judging from your web page you are off to a good start...and lots of potential. Looking forward to your participation!

[billweckel]

Thank you all for the kind and encouraging words! I walk the beach almost every day and take a lot of photos. The hardest thing is keeping up with the chore of moving them off the SD cards and getting them post-processed. I look forward to beginning to post them for some much needed critique and advice. I have LOTS of questions for you all.

Thanks again,

Bill

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi Bill, Welcome! Will look forward to seeing you over in ETL.... et.al....!

[Don Lacy]

HI Bill and welcome to BPN feel free to post any processing questions to the digital forum or PM me and I will do my best to help you. I see you are in the Panhandle of Florida I live in South Florida and I want to get up there for some landscape and scenic work if you know of any good spots let me know.

[Clyde Hopper]

Hi Bill . Welcome to the best photography forum on the net . I make my way down to St. Andrews several times a year ,So I know you're in a good spot for wildlife . Good to have you here and looking for your post in ETL .

[Marina Scarr]

Big warm welcome to BPN, Bill. Judging from your flicker images, while you may say much of it is luck, I find your work quite artistic. Once BPN helps you with more on the technical side, you're going to be pretty pleased with your results. Looking forward to seeing your images here.