About Dana M. Scott
I live in Washington State with my hubby of 20 years and our 4 children. I guess I got started with photography in high school but didn't pick it up again until my daughter started playing club soccer. I didn't realize how much I missed photography until I started snapping away photo after photo. Now, I'm a photo junky! I switched from film to digital and bought a Nikon D80. I LOVE IT! I was thrilled that the D80 came with, what I call, "dummy" buttons. You know, the presets on the dial that you can change for any situation. I call them "dummy" buttons for one reason...because I am a dummy for not learning how to adjust my camera on my own. WHAT A DUMMY!! My state of dumminess wasn't obvious until I purchased the Nikon D300. Boom! No "dummy" buttons! You mean I have to figure out how to set my camera by myself? CAN THIS REALLY BE HAPPENING? Yes, it was really happening. So, I got out the good old D300 manual and started plugging away. It turns out, I am easily confused. Just when I think I'm dialed in, ready to snap the first photos of the elk coming through our property at our cabin...it happens. I'M NOT DIALED IN AT ALL! So, I fumble around with buttons and shutter speeds, and I don't know how the white balance was changed. But, just when I think I've got it...the elk are gone. WHAT? Why did they run off? Then I realized something...cursing loudly about my state of dumminess can cause a bit of panic in a herd of elk. Sure, they came back after dark. I think they only came back because they know that I don't know how to use my flash properly either. But, once I learn how to pull this all together...those elk are mine! My photographic goals are pretty simple. I want to take photos of EVERYTHING! I love sports. Mostly hockey and soccer, but will watch college football because they aren't overpaid athletes...yet. I love hockey for a couple of reasons. The best reason is...you can go to a hockey game which quickly turns into a boxing match! There's nothing better than seeing two rival teams drop the gloves! I sit and wait, hoping that my favorite player who's scrapping with some other toothless wonder doesn't end up getting his own sweater pulled up over his head.I also like taking pictures of landscapes and wildlife. There are a lot of areas in Washington State that are absolutely "photo" gorgeous! I don't want to get involved in wedding photography at all. After watching episodes of "Bridezilla", I wouldn't put myslef in that situation. Once that bride pops off with "This is MY wedding! I don't CARE what you think, you're just a photographer!" What? Oh...it's on! I would pull that bride's dress up over her head and hit her with some kangaroo punches! I don't care if it's her "special day". She can have her "special day" with a black eye, missing front tooth, and a dress pulled completely up over her head and tucked in the back of her underwear! That's why I choose to shoot sports, landscape and wildlife. I wouldn't have to deal with psychotic brides and their equally crazy mothers! Okay, all kidding aside, I am very excited about starting my new photo courses. My first course is on how to use my D300! YES!! I won't need any dummy buttons after this course!