Ok, so the first thing to tell you (You'll already know this if your involved in either) is that they are both very simmilar. Yes I know that one involves hitting a ball with a stick and the other is creating photographs but........ they are also both the most challenging, frustrating, addictive, enjoyable, obsessive, expensive and rewarding hobbies ever invented :-).
About 9 years ago my brother introduced me to golf after years of me telling him what a boring game it looked. I was visiting him one day unexpectedly (for him) and he had already arranged to go to the golf driving range. After some persuasion, I agreed to join him (Just to watch him practice). Once there he gave me a basket of balls and a borrowed club (I couldn't use his, hes a lefty). Well, I promise you after a full basket of maybe 50 balls guess what..... I managed to hit one good shot (luck not judgement) and the rest as they say is history. The following day I went out and bought my first set of clubs and began the uphill battle of trying not to embarass myself on the fairways. I eventually joined Hoylake golf club and played regularly each week before moving to Saudi but since then I have only played one season in the Czech Republic with a freind of mine Ruskin who is now in Japan. Now once again I have sold my clubs rather than have another heavy item to ship to wherever we end up.
About four and a half years ago, another freind of mine John who I worked with in Riyadh introduced me to Photography by giving me the chance to shoot a few frames with his Nikon D200 (at the time one of the closest cameras to a pro set up you could get). What happened next.............? well I bought myself a camera.
I initially bought a Sony F828 (8 megapixel) with a fixed lens, I didn't fancy the investment in changeable lenses at the time, and my level of knowledge wouldnt have justified it either.
Four months ago I took the plunge and bought myself a Nikon D80 DSLR (still not up to John's level) thinking I had learned enough about appatures, shutter speeds, ISO and white balances and such like...... how wrong I was!!
I also think that all budding photographers should take note here, there is a disease in the photographic community that is transmitted immediately upon buying your first dslr, its called "Lens Lust" (yes John, you were right) and it doesnt just effect men either. Lens Lust is a gripping all consuming realization that you now have a camera with interchangeable lenses, therefore, you must have more lenses in your kit to change.... ok so far until you also realise, its bloody expensive!! (just like golf)
So the thoughts behind tonights blog...... Freinds & family introduce you to new hobbies, sports and other passtimes that of course you come to enjoy and love, but dont for one minute think its going to be easy :-) research, research, research & be ready for dissapointment & dissaster in equal measures.
I sometimes think that my brother Tony and my freind John wanted me to be just as frustrated as they are but they are two hobbies I will never stop trying to master.
I still swing a club like a crazed caveman but at least my photography is getting better. Heres a trio of my favourite shots.
Think the next hobby for you should be a writer lol.You always loved to talk,did anyone ever get a word in edge ways?? Now that's frustration!!.you seem to have matured, but has one gone a bit to close to the dark side of the geriatric brigade!have you mellowed in your old age? you sound like my dad. lainey x
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