THIS MONTH OUR SPOTLIGHT IS ON KATHLEEN DITANNA
When I retired from teaching (2011), I bought a DSLR camera (Canon Rebel) and joined the Churchville Photography Club. This was the beginning of photography as a hobby. At the first meeting of CPC in September 2011, I became seriously interested in the art of photography. The CPC member talent was amazing and really motivated me to want to learn more about photography. I started taking as many classes/workshops as I could. I began entering the challlenges and critiques that CPC offered and started asking questions to everyone about the photo process.
It wasn't until I purchased my Canon 100mm Macro lens that I really became obsessed with photography. When I began training at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve as a naturalist, my photography blossomed. Macro + nature was all I could think about. I loved taking photos of the natural habitat at Bowman's Wildflower Preserve. Documenting the specimens helped me with identification. My own garden became a photography workshop, as I photographed everything from flowers to bees. Visiting botanical gardens, wildlife preserves, nature centers, garden tours all over the U.S. became a mission to me.
Trips, scavenger hunts, workshops, speakers, and the huge support from my CPC friends, have helped me grow confident in my ablities as a photographer. I am learning more about photograpy as an artistic medium. I just purchased the lensbaby kit/macro converter which is helping me experiment with some dreamy effects. Lightroom and photoshop are in the future.
Have I photographed landscapes, people, waterfalls, buildings, birds, and streets? Yes! but pure and simple I am a macro fanatic! I love those tiny images! I love being outdoors photographing nature up close! Follow me on Instagram @teachkd.
Such beautiful work, Kathy. As you know, I am a beginner and know not much about photography (yet!), but since meeting you, I’ve really become inspired and thirsty to learn more. Thank you for that! I’m your biggest fan. 😉
You zoom us in on the beauty all around us, Kathy–thanks for sharing so much of your inspiring work!
This winter I had planned to purchase a macro lens to begin experimenting with. Seeing your photos makes me more enthusiastic about expanding my photo experience to include macro photography.