CREATIVITY POSSIBILITY

Okay, you want to create, but you don't know where to begin.

Reflect a minute on what draws your attention. If you are at a fair with 100 exhibitions, what would draw your glance? Would it be a booth demonstrating wood-carving, photography, glass-blowing, ceramics, painting on a canvas, mosaics, sculpture, sewing, crafts, books of fiction or poetry, short films and videos, dancing? Which would grab your attention?

Let's say you are drawn to photography, 'cause this is an easy one! Use your day off to pursue this venture. If you don't have a camera, borrow or rent one for a day. Make sure you know how to zoom out, but also how to take micro-closeups. Most of today's digital cameras will perform these tasks.

When you look at other photos, what peaks your interest? People? Places? Flowers? Close-ups? Black and white pictures? Whatever interests you will draw out your talent and eventually, will interest others!

Let's say your interest topic is fences, and you prefer them in black and white. Drive out in the country or in an older neighborhood where there are still a variety of fence types. Take several shots of each fence. One shot can be head-on. Walk close to the fence and take one shot down the row. Take a close-up of one post and another of the cross-piece. Photograph what's on the ground by a post...and while you're down there, look up and take one shot from the ground to the top of the fence. Photograph a child sitting on a rail or standing by a post.

And don't forget the gates! Take pictures with the gate opened and one with it closed. Perhaps a close-up of the lock or handle.

Cause your pictures to be like a work of art: meaningful and full of life, full of ingenuity!

Cull out the bad ones at the photoshop and enlarge and enhance the best ones! Make sure you get copies in color and black and white. Mat the enlargements and frame - or place in a new album, purchased just for your new artistic hobby!

Voilla! You have become an amateur photographer!!!