What I've Learned In 200 Posts

This is my 200th post. I've thought a lot over the last few days about what I was going to write here. Most of you who visit regularly know that I like to joke around and have fun with my pictures and that I have a strange sense of humor. Originally I was going to do a "Best Of" post, showing off what I consider to be some of my best photographs and possibly making a few good jokes.

Obviously I went another direction.

When I first joined Photoblog I did so because I wanted a place to share my work, receive some constructive criticism and hopefully hone my craft. I got a lot more than I bargained for.

Yes, I feel like I've gotten better in the year since I joined. But I found out that keeping this blog up has changed my point of view. It's not about the photographs as much as it is about the photographer.

I have 200+ people in my "friends" list. More than some, less than others. It's not a competition for me, if I see someone's blog and like their style of photography, I add them. Along the way I've met people from all over the world. I've seen places I will most likely never be able to go; from other areas here in the U.S., to Canada, Mexico, Iran, Poland, Germany, Australia, China, Singapore, and Thailand. The list goes on and on.

I've connected with some of you more than others. I think Matt and I were separated at birth, But so many of you have touched me through your photography and the sharing of your life stories.

I made yet another connection this week with a fellow Photoblogger. I've been a huge fan of her work ever since I joined Photoblog, but this week I found out we have another connectoin other than photography. We both have relatives who share an experience during WWII; her father as a captive, my great uncle as one of the liberators. Someone I would most likely never have met had I never joined Photoblog, but our families have crossed paths 63 years prior, leaving a lasting impression on both.

So thank you Photoblog for reminding me that photography isn't just about what's in front of your lens, it's who is behind it.