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Archive 2014 · New member intro and first image share

mattschwartz
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · New member intro and first image share

Hello all, My name is Matt and I'm a new member. I live north of Seattle, WA. To shrink my long and complicated story into a shorter summary:

When I was a teenager, I was very passionate about nature photography. However, for various reasons, I let life move me in a different direction, and for many years I've been living a less than fulfilling life doing what I do not enjoy, and had completely stopped doing photography. About 1.5 years ago, some things happened and something inside me shifted, resulting in me taking control of my life and moving in the direction I really want to go. Thus, I am now pursuing my dream of becoming a nature photographer, writer, and someone who not only enjoys life, but aims to contribute and have a positive impact on the world and other people. Having only made this change at age 33, I had virtually no images, no experience, nothing. I've worked my behind off in the past year, learning and practicing as much as I am able to, taking steps toward my goals, and upgrading gear when appropriate and ready to do so. I apologize if the above story was too long or posted in an inappropriate area of the forum, but I figured it would be nice to share something about where I am coming from and what I'm about.

Another quick note, over the past year or so, as I did research, I stumbled, on occasion, across some threads on this forum about gear, techniques, etc, but never joined. I just read them, then moved on. Big mistake. Just the other day I came across the forum again, and read the following thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1272451 That really inspired me, and I liked the camaraderie displayed by all. So I decided to join the forum, and here I am.

My first photo share is below. Thanks for viewing, and if you read all of the above, I appreciate it and congratulate you for toughing it out

Male Marsh Wren, calling from a cattail leaf in the marsh - Cistothorus palustris

http://mattschwartz.smugmug.com/photos/i-hMKzkTJ/0/O/i-hMKzkTJ.jpg

Canon 7d 400 5.6L ISO 640 f5.6 1/2000 monopod

Edited on Feb 22, 2014 at 04:09 PM · View previous versions

Feb 22, 2014 at 02:42 AM

Lil Judd
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome to the forum Matt,

lovely first post. When I started, as I still do, I found this forum nurturing & inspiring. I've watched & learned from so many wonderful photographers here. Good luck & we all go thought stuff to end up where ever we end up

Lil

Feb 22, 2014 at 03:10 AM

arbitrage
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome aboard Matt. I enjoyed reading the intro and your first pic. Looking foreword to more!!

Geoff

Feb 22, 2014 at 06:22 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome Matt. You are a very lucky person indeed to be able to shift gears and do what you want to do. Many go through life never doing what they really want to do.

I like your wren, and enjoyed your intro too ~ Ron

Feb 22, 2014 at 06:56 AM

mitesh
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · New member intro and first image share

I'm with everyone else, Matt- great intro and terrific first image! Looking forward to more!

Edited on Feb 22, 2014 at 11:25 AM · View previous versions

Feb 22, 2014 at 07:10 AM

psharvic
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome Matt and thanks for the introduction. Wish you the best of good fortune in your endeavors. The wren is an excellent start. Looking forward to more of your posts.

Feb 22, 2014 at 07:21 AM

MS PHOTO
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome Matt, & best of luck.
Paul

Feb 22, 2014 at 07:30 AM

Tim Kuhn
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome aboard Matt

You'll find that if you put something into this forum that there is a lot to get out of it. I have learned a tremendous amount here and have made some incredible friends. Great to hear you turned your life around, good for you

You are starting off with excellent shot of the boisterous little guy. Nice clean shot, sharp, well lit and a wonderful perch. Well done

Maybe we'll run into each other some day

Tim

Feb 22, 2014 at 08:38 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · New member intro and first image share

Hello Matt and a warm welcome to you here. It is nice that you also shared some of your background that got you here, it sounds like their is a passion inside that has you pursuing this and that makes it fun and rewarding to share

Your opener shot is no lightweight of an image, you seem to have many things heading already in the right way, exposure, comp and sharpness. If you can also share your shooting info we may be able to offer more directed comments and suggestions for your consideration.

As you can tell by the post you highlighted for Kirk, we really have a great group of photographers and friends and we too enjoy what we do when we get to do it

Welcome young man....
Karl

Feb 22, 2014 at 09:01 AM

onegreatcity
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · New member intro and first image share

Hi Matt,
Welcome to FM. I haven't been here long myself, even less time here in N & W, but there is much warmth and support for active members of the community. Congrats on setting new coordinates in your life, never an easy thing to do.
-Cam

Feb 22, 2014 at 09:36 AM

surgemaster
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · New member intro and first image share

Very nice first post, Matt. Welcome.
Rex

Feb 22, 2014 at 11:20 AM

birdied
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · New member intro and first image share

Big welcome Matt! How wonderful that you have found your path and passion in life and are now pursuing it. Look forward to more .

Wonderful first shot. Lovely detail and nice background.

Birdie

Feb 22, 2014 at 11:20 AM

mikedec
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · New member intro and first image share

Very nice image. Look forward to seeing more. Welcome to FM.

Feb 22, 2014 at 11:32 AM

Michael Rucci
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome aboard Matt life throws so many different paths our way and only a very few chose the right one the first time I can get a sense from your text that you have found the right one.Nice first post and i look forward to seeing more

Feb 22, 2014 at 11:44 AM

ScottHM
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome to the forum Matt...nice photo, and just what we need...more people from Wa. here

Feb 22, 2014 at 03:12 PM

mattschwartz
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · New member intro and first image share

Wow, I am blown away by how many people have replied to my thread! A very pleasant welcome, my sincere thanks to all who've commented! I can tell this really is as special of a place as you've all mentioned, and truly look forward to my time here. BTW I edited the OP and put shot data beneath the photo for anyone interested. Thank you

Feb 22, 2014 at 04:11 PM

Martin Good
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome to the forum Matt and congrats on your first post and this fine pic. I read your background with interest and wish you the best in your photography and in your career. I also wanted to thank you for putting in the link to KirkB's thread as I had missed it.
Cheers,
Martin

Feb 22, 2014 at 05:11 PM

BeeBalm
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · New member intro and first image share

Hi Matt and a warm welcome to FM!
I really enjoyed your story

Your capture is lovely

I can tell you are going to enjoy it here

BeeBalm

Feb 22, 2014 at 05:25 PM

kmunroe
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · New member intro and first image share

hey Matt.. it's a great first post

Feb 22, 2014 at 06:20 PM

dkapp2536
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · New member intro and first image share

Welcome Matt !! Excellent first post. Congrats and Good luck.

Dave

Feb 22, 2014 at 06:31 PM

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