Kristi just celebrated her 5th year as a member of BetterPhoto Member!

What kind of photography do you most enjoy?
Sunset seascapes are a holistic experience for me. I'm at the beach feeling the ocean breeze, hearing the waves crash on the rocks, and seeing the beauty as the sun sets over the ocean. With clouds for the light to bounce off of, the sky puts on a display of light and color that leaves one in awe. I try to capture the beauty of the moment as it surrounds me. I often stand in the water waiting for the right moment when the waves leave unique patterns of light and reflection as they come in and recede. It is a healing experience in all respects. Besides sunsets at the beach, I also love photographing flowers, animals, butterflies, and architecture.

How long have you been a photographer?
I became the family photographer when I got my first SLR in 1979 right before my son was born. It was a manual Asahi Pentax K1000 35mm SLR.

What got you started?
I had a photographer friend who suggested the Pentax camera and gave me tips on using it. An early-morning walk on a camping trip in Kings Canyon with a Kodak guide and my friend gave me some of the basic guides to composition, along with control of the light and Depth of Field using the Pentax. Of course, the digital era changed everything, so I am able to take as many shots as I want and then have the immediate reward of seeing what I have taken. I think that has allowed me to learn at a much faster pace.

What inspires you?
What inspires me is the beauty in nature all around and the experience of seeing it in a new way. I am also inspired by artists and the different ways they see the world. One of my favorite quotes is by Georgia O'Keefe: "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment".

I think photographing all of nature is like that. With a camera, I experience the beauty in the world around me in ways I had never even noticed before.

What are your photography goals?
My goal is to express myself through my photography. It is not so important that I document a moment. I would rather my photographs reach deeper and touch the heart and soul. Right now, I am still very much focused on the technical aspects of photography. I also am working toward getting good prints. There is just something about a print that makes a photo come alive for me. And there are choices in printing that can further individualize one's work.

How has BetterPhoto helped you attain them?
The thing I like most about BetterPhoto is the encouragement to get the best photograph you can both through photography and digital means. I lean toward the "subtractive" process of photography. I try to take an image with a composition that I like and as little distraction as possible and then I will correct what is left digitally. I have also taken classes by Brenda Tharp, Jim Zuckerman and Tony Sweet. All together, these classes have helped me more than I thought possible. In particular, the classes "Creating Visual Impact" by Brenda Tharp and "Developing Your Creative Artistic Vision" by Jim Zuckerman helped further my own personal visions of the kind of photographer I want to be. How could I ever forget when Jim casually hinted that raking a beach full of seaweed was an option to get rid of the distractions? He said that is what he did in Bora Bora!