Growing up I was influenced by my Grandfather Twitchell, who absolutely loved Polaroid cameras (immediate gratification!), and my Dad, who studied lenses and used light meters to take photos when he was hunting on horseback in the Cascade and Blue Mountains. I received my first “good” camera, a Kodak Instamatic, for Christmas when I was in high school.
It was easy to use, had flashcubes and took reasonable snapshots. In those days getting film processed was expensive and inconvenient. One didn’t take pictures just for the heck of it! After college I got my first Olympus and later added wide angle and telephoto lenses. Again, the film needed to be processed and was fairly costly. I don’t remember the make of my first DSLR, however I remember loving the convenience of downloading photos and the sense of being liberated to take as many snaps as I cared to!
As my personal reward upon retiring in 2012, I studied articles and reviews to find the next DSLR for me. It is the same one I use today, and the comments from owners turned out to be spot-on. It is lightweight, has enough power for the kind of photography I am keen on, and is easy to operate.
Once in a while I say, I’m going to learn how to use all these other features, however it hasn’t happened yet. I just set it on auto for the circumstances – usually outdoor nature scenes, and snap away.
If photography were my only passion, I believe I would be more studious. However, this is one of many creative outlets for me, including writing prose & poetry, and drawing.
When I’m on walks with Jello in Vancouver WA, I don’t carry my Panasonic, depending instead on my iPhone 7. At Long Beach, weather permitting, I always have the Panasonic with me. When it’s raining, I reluctantly leave it behind and rely on the iPhone.
Thank you Lens-Artists all for challenges that help me learn more about photography, and prompt me to consider challenging myself to be more diligent!
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Lindy Low LeCoq 
Thank you for sharing your photography journey, Lindy. LUMIX FZ47 is a great camera. I so enjoy your beautiful outdoor nature scenes. I absolutely adore your red bike painting. It’s so wonderful you can find time to write and paint besides taking photos. 🙂
That Bald Eagle is magnificent! 🙂
It really doesn’t want me to come any closer!!!
Lindy – the opening photo was a great way to start (that border reminding us of all printed photos) and then your variety here showed a bit of your taste and essence = the flower, snail, eagle, etc
Thank you for commenting and liking my work!
☀️
I’m having such fun reading about our journeys Lindy, and your was no exception. Loved the opening historic photo and shared your frustrations with using film. How fortunate we are to be shooting during the digital age. Now there are almost too many options! Your images are always lovely and I didn’t realize you could also draw! That’s a talent I wish I had but have failed miserably several times so I return to photography. Thanks so much for being a part of our Lens-Artists community.
Thank you, Tina. I must admit, photography does occupy more of my time than drawing, however I do love to be able to imagine an image and be able to create it on my own!
I’ve never tried the Lumix, but I’ve heard wonderful things about it. I love that first image of you getting your first “good” camera and your image of the eagle is marvelous! For years I inherited my son’s old Canon cameras, but then I branched out to mirrorless with the Fuji XT2. I think it’s so important to pick a camera that is best suited to you, personally. I enjoyed your journey!
Thank you Patti! Funny, I was looking for photos of my younger sister who was about 5 years old that particular Christmas, and the photo of me was in the few I had stored in the old photo albums! Serendipity strikes again!
Thank you for sharing your journey, Lindy! You always deliver absolutely lovely images. And you draw! What a lovely talent – I used to draw as a girl, but just as with my cameras…there is so much to learn…
Excellent photos!