One thing that helps me get through having M.E and is also the "silver lining" from the whole experience is that I have discovered a new hobby. I was bought a camera about 3 and a half years ago by my partner and decided to learn how to use it on manual settings only. I also combined another hobby of mine - keeping reptiles and frogs, so over the years, when I have had enough energy I would practice photographing both my pets, and other macro or close up subjects such as flowers, water droplets, and insects at home. I would leave all my gear set up on a table so that I didnt need to waste energy setting up each time and I could spend a few minutes doing something I enjoy easily.
My love of photography has grown and although I often only fit in one session a week at present, I have come a long way. I have gained two qualifications - ( LSWPP -Licentiate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers and LSINWP - Licentiate of The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers) and last year I was runner up as Pet and Architecture photographer of the year with the SWPP. I dont just enjoy photographing reptiles, I love landscape, architectural, wildlife, abstract and people photography, but my ability to practice these is limited due to the severity of the M.E at times and due to the fact that I cant drive to locations.
Over the last year I have tried hard to practice photographing models once a month, which has helped me to learn a great deal with lighting. I was introduced to the Bristol and south west modelling and photography group and have made lots of lovely friends that I collaborate with. Luckily there is a hall on the street where I live that I can share with other photographers, providing a super cheap location for portraiture and providing opportunities for us all to learn from each other and share equipment. I have also joined a local camera club which I thoroughly enjoy attending each week.
This week I had the opportunity to photograph a model, on location in Bristol, for a designer. Now although I struggled energy wise on the day, even though we only spent around 90 minutes in total taking images I am quite pleased with the results. We had a few things go wrong, what with lighting blowing around, getting lost, forgetting my main lens. But the end result was that Vogue italia website accepted two of the images from that day, which, myself, the model and designer were all thrilled with. One image was also given an editors choice award on Ephotozine aswell.
The down side is that whenever I spend more than an hour or so doing photography, then I suffer in the following days. So I am still recharging my batteries from Saturday.
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