Having something that you really want and finally having it, it is one of the greatest pleasures. But, getting something that you really want with effort and a lot of struggle it is even greater.
October 2006, I met my elementary school friend on friendster.com. It is a site that is similar to facebook and myspace. His name is Karol, he was surprise looking at the changes in me, he said I changed a lot and he told our other elementary school friend about me. His name is Piendhy, he likes photography and I was getting closer to him. We found out that we get a long with each other. Later, He was someone special for me, he introduced me to a website named fotografer.net (fotografer means photographer in English). I love to see photos and moments that are captured by camera. Something happened between me and Hans we do not really hang out anymore but I thanked him for showing me this new beautiful world.
October 2006 – June 2007, I have learned a lot about the basic theory of photography. I searched a lot about photography and famous photographers. I have seen many great photographs. July 2007 I bought my first camera it is the Canon Powershot SD1000, the thing that I treasured until now. If you search for it in internet you will see a small camera that looks so ordinary but it does a fabulous job. I finally see by my eyes the beautiful things behind the view finder. I also finally feel how it feels to move around get a good angle, composition, and exposure then finally press the shutter button. I know that I found something that I love and I have passion in. I joined Lynbrook High School Photography Club which I won several photo contests. I was really happy. I told my mom about it but then she did not happy at all. She was concern why do I like photography. I was really upset she let me down. She did not support something that I really like.
January 2008, I started to find a photographer friends so then I can learn a lot more and get critic and comments about my photograph. I am one of the members in the largest Indonesian online community. I went to the photography forum that they have and I have meet a lot of nice and pro photographer. Since then I have learn a lot, they help me nicely. At this point I realized that to get a good photograph is not about the gear or the camera that you use but it is about the person behind the camera. I have found my new world; I know what to do and what I want to do. I told my mom that I have a passion in photography. I wan to go to a higher level which is a Digital Single Lens Reflect (DSLR) camera. She disagrees; she thinks photography is a useless and expensive hobby. I was upset and down. I knew that she could not make me change my mind. I think that I was old enough to think and choose what I think right. For me, even though photography is an expensive hobby but I can explore the art and finding my own art. I decided not to give up. I saved my money for the camera and thinking to get a job.
April 2008, my friend was about to throw away her SLR camera. The analog or film SLR camera, she thought the camera was broken and I asked her if I could see it. She said if I could fix it, I can have it. I went to the store and the problem was just on the lens which was really dirty and I just need to get a new lens. I was so extremely excited using the camera. I got a problem, using that camera you will need to print out you picture and scan it in order to get your photos in you computer, which you will need much more money to pay for t he printing and scanner to scan it before doing the digital editing. I did not really use the camera. It was way too much money to pay for the printing.
August 2008, I found out that I will get $500 cash from my friend’s car insurance. In March 2007 I got a car accident and that $500 I got for the treatment. But then I am so excited to buy a DSLR camera. My aunt let me buy the camera she will add another bucks for me and I have my own saving for about $120. $720 is enough to buy a high end Canon DSLR camera that I had been wondering such as Canon EOS Rebel Xsi. I am happy. The day when my aunt let me buy the DSLR was the best day throughout the year. I cried that day; I was really happy to the point where whatever I did that day my tears keep coming out from my eyes. I was just really happy.
September 2008, I finally bought the DSLR on September 7th. I bought that from amazon.com. Before I actually buy the camera I have already buy the accessories such as tripod, camera bag, extra battery, lens filter and some more. I was really excited but I still have a problem. My mom did not know yet about me buying the camera. I did not know what will she say but I bought that already. On facebook my best friend put her picture that was taken by me using pocket camera long time a go. She dressed up nicely for the photo shoot and we went to Stanford to take pictures there. Somebody commented on her photos and he interested in my photographs. He was asking if I can do a guy photo shoot, and he is willing to pay me for that. I was happy, happy as I can be. The next day I told my mom about my camera and the guy who is willing to pay me for my photograph. Guess what did she say? She was okay with me buying the camera. She started to support me. I have proved that I can do something good and what I have chosen was not wrong.
Thanks to God for everything
Thanks to him who introduced me to this beautiful world,
Thanks to them who supports me in photography,
Thanks to them who cheers me up whenever I’m down,
Thanks to them who helps me a lot in photography,
Thanks to him who shows his love to me and surprised me with his lens hood and flash diffuser..