December 31, 2017
A little about myself, in photographic context…I started being a ‘serious’ photographer about 18 months back. That is when I looked beyond taking pictures to document my vacations/trips and my grandkids. Unlike many photographers, I started rather late in life…around the time I turned 65+. However, I have plunged myself into the art of shooting with a DSLR in RAW format and in manual mode!
I have always had a camera from the time I came to the US in 1970…first the point and shoot Kodak film cameras, a Minolta SLR, then point and shoot digital cameras and finally graduating to a crop sensor DSLR and now for a year, a full-sensor DSLR.
I find that travel and photography go hand in hand…one enhances the other. I have no choice but to travcel single (having been a widow since 1996). But then it also allows me to shoot at my pleasure and leisure and where ever I want to, which means stopping impromptu at the side of the highway or road, as I make my trip to destinations beyond my dreams!
So I have found that my first love is landscape photography and I am equally in love with astro and night time photography.
My photo-journeys have take me to Oregon, Washington, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, all over California and internationally, to the Netherlands, Canada, and Mexico in 2017.
Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the Village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, situated in the valley surrounded by ten peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet (1,885 m). The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares (120 acres).
The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until mid to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of blue. The colour is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis. (source is Wikipedia)
Oregon is a state with such diverse landscapes from the rugged coast to the beautiful lakes-Trillium Lake at the base of Mount Hood and the marvelous Crater Lake, created by a volcano about 7,700 years back, in the center of the state. To the north east in a region called Dufur, you see the evidence of the Oregon Trail and the settlers and homesteaders. Once beautiful buildings are now just shells…a reminder of the distant past when life was rather harsh but simple. Seen here are two buildings…the Charles E Nelson House and a one-room school house, still preserved and conjure up many discussions and imaginations of a bygone era!
My penchant for night and astrophotography takes me everywhere…the desert in California-Joshua Tree National Park and Borrego Springs and even in the middle of the city-the cross on Soledad Mountain in San Diego!
Landscapes excite me and long exposures sure are a priority for me any chance I can get! I love being around water…and this is quite evident in my collection of photographs!
Lately, I have been going to the zoo to shoot animals and the reptiles through glass walls…definitely a challenge, but oh so rewarding!
The flora and fauna of the San Diego Zoo are very impressive!
Lastly, Portland has become one of my favorite cities and a panoramic view of Portland downtown is a must.
And of course, a few other pictures from my beloved home for almost 48 years- San Diego, California
San Diego Skyline as seen from the harbor
A beautiful sunset at the Hospital Reefs in La Jolla, California
A gorgeous sunset over the Pacific
She may be our Little Old Point Loma Light House…but she certainly is a beauty, especially on a warm spring evening!
Hope you have enjoyed my humble beginnings and I hope to be honing my skills of photo-taking and editing throughout 2018 and am certainly continuing my travels around the world. The Netherlands and China are definitely on my radar as well as travels within the US. There is just so much beauty around the world that I want to witness and bring to others who might not be able to go there and/or bring my perspective through my lens and eyes!
Thank you for sharing my photo-journey 2017!
KAMALA VENKATESH 
What a beautiful compilation of photos! And I really loved all of your writings. Thank you for sharing your photo journey with us. May you have continued opportunities and blessings in the new year.
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Thank you CS…really appreciate it!
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Beautiful photos and with such a creative eye for photography!
Thank you for the journal on your journey. Loved reading your journal and viewing your photos.
All the best in the new year as you explore new destinations camera in hand!
It truly is a beautiful world out there, too!
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Thank you Ulli! Thank you for reading through my ramblings…and I agree, it’s truly a beautiful world!
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Thank you Kamala, for these wonderful photos! What an eye you have!! I will enjoy these many times over. I was just reviewing you 2017 calendar and thinking of you ❣️And your timing was spot on ……. my Apple iPhone 6 was disabled for four days! It took 4 days, 6 hours per day on PC, house phone and IPhone with four different Apple tech advisors to get back up in line! What an education! This is the iPhone you encouraged me to buy 3 years ago when we returned from Antarctica! What a relief to get my photos and contacts back! I discovered I use something on this phone about every 10 minutes at least! Happy New Year Dear Friend 🎆🎇💜
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Thank you my sweet Jeanette! I failed to get calendars done this year..still might! You will definitely get one if/when I do so! I have always enjoyed your support…whether it was when I coordinated the Volunteer Program and the Multicultural Education/Fair at BMMS. You have been a terrific friend-no, a sister, to me! You are a friend of the Venkatesh Family! Yes, I remember your purchase of the iPhone…glad you are still enjoying it. Hope the new year brings you and Jim the best of health and cheer…love you!
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Particularly like the lake scenes, the colors are stunning! (Kinda like how this site lets me write colors the Canadian way!) To start late in life it is obviously your passion that accelerates your craft. Good job and keep up the progression and your experimentation. You are reaping the rewards!
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Thank you Mickey! You recognize the cover photo…taken in Ixtapa, the beach at the resort! So glad I met you and hope one day, you will pose for me! Take care and have a wonderful 2018! Thanks for commenting! Canada was very good to me…such clear lakes and just the best scenery! I shall return!!!
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You made many wonderful pictures this year. So glad to have met you and shared in the photographic experience. Here’s looking forward to 2018
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Thank you Stephen! Me too…I feel fortunate to have met you and I have been inspired by and learnt from you. I too look forward to our shoots together in 2018.
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Outstanding photography. You give landscapes life thru your pictures.
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Thank you VERY much Tony! I appreciate your kind words of assessment! Look forward to shooting with you in the new year!
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I’m impressed Kamala. You did an outstanding job on this. Keep it growing.
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Thanks so much Chuck…really appreciate it! Very encouraging to me!
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Awesome photos, Kamala! And you didn’t even include some of my favorite photos that you took last year. I’m looking forward to your shots from next year since you just keep getting better.
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Thanks so much Ed! I thought Banff might be your favorite place?! Glad you have faith in me…yes, I hope to see more improvement this year and hope to travel some as well. And I look forward to shooting with Stephen and you…it’s been a blast!
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Inspiring work..! Best wishes and continue with your obsession.
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Thank you so much Chandraprakash!
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Wow . You definitely have the great skill and poetic way of expressing and taste for good life.
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Thank you so much Geetanjali…appreciate you looking, reading my website and taking time to comment!
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