My plans for a career path started out in Information Technology.  At the start of college, I began focusing on becoming a Systems Analyst to work my way up to managing Information Technology.  But lately, I have lost the drive.  I have hit a roadblock.  It is possible that photography might be the career path I choose, I don’t know.  One thing I do know for sure, is that I bounce around way too much between career choices.

I have a decent knowledge of electronics and a more in-depth knowledge of computers.  Programming, not really.  Not as far as application coding goes.  But I can work my way around html, css and php, it just takes a bit of work.  I know quite a bit about home networking and building/setting up computer systems.  One thing that is limiting my progress in IT is certifications.  I have not bothered to study and certify myself in CompTIA A+, Linux+ and Network+.  As far as what I have seen with the tests, the A+ should be a breeze for me, Linux+ would be a slight stretch, but not by much, and with how in-depth the terminology and understanding of enterprise networking systems is, the Network+ certification would probably be the hardest.  Also, the tests are not free.  It is kind of useless to certify myself and not have a reason to use the certifications.  Not to mention, to find a job that would take me in with just the certifications and not much of an IT background, would be close to impossible.

Right now I am having fun with photography.  Although I lack the required funds for multiple lenses and a full frame body, plus accessories, I am trying to make the most with what I have.  I enjoy going out and taking photographs, and I just may continue to do so.  When I have a few more dollars to spend on a couple zoom lenses, I will be able to start putting myself out into the community for a chance at starting my own business.  Even if photography does not end up being my main career, it will definitely be a hobby if not a secondary form of income later on.

If you have any thoughts on what I should do or any experiences of your own, please let me know.

The day continually shifted from bright sunlight into shaded spots from the clouds. This was a challenge for me to continually modify my flash power and aperture. Overall I was able to capture some quality photos.

One moment while shooting with the filter on, a flare caught me by surprise.  My flash was reflecting off of the prescription glasses my mom wears.  Two bright green flares coming right out from them.  This bothers me, especially since it is marketed as being a “low flare” model, the S-HMC.  The fact is, placing a flat piece of glass in front of your lens will create it’s own flare, but as protection from drops and moisture, there shouldn’t be a green flare showing up in your pictures.

*Edit*
After doing further test shots with the filter, the “flare” that I saw off my mother’s glasses was not flare so much as it was just glare from the flash. The glasses that she wears combined with the filter caused the flash reflection to become green.

I know the UV filter has its uses, foggy days, shooting pictures at the beach, but when you start getting bright green flares in your pictures, it gets irritating fast. Although the possibility of having lens flare in your images, the filter does a great job at protecting the lens and creating a little better contrast in my images.

Next to the search box is a Paypal donation link for my web hosting and camera equipment fund.  I do not expect anything from anyone who reads my blog.  But if you do feel generous enough to pass along spare change, I would be very thankful for your contribution and would like to promote your website, blog, flickr photostream, or reference your name.  As a college student with a part time job, every little bit helps.

My links on the right include some of my favorite sites to visit, including one blog by Carlos Miller called Photography Is Not A Crime.  Carlos updates his blog with stories about photographers rights being violated and is currently in a lengthy legal battle to have charges dropped for photographing police.  His stories are interesting and excellent.

Feel free to check through my links and see what you like.  Feel free to leave feedback about my website including my photography site.  If you have thoughts or ideas about what I should add, change or remove, let me know.

I have a short shift at work tonight, 6pm to 9pm.  Tonight will most likely be really slow, especially when retail sales are down, not to mention, the NYSE took a hit today and dropped like a rock.  I might try to take a few photos of products or something to pass the time when I have nothing else to do.

Three hours until work and it looks like today will end up being fairly mellow.