Greetings

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is how or where I introduce myself, but I am a brand new poster.

I was getting fed up with some of the forums at Flickr, so I thought I'd give this critique forum a try. Always looking to improve my photography as well as to view photos of others who are truly better so that I can get better!!

I'm from Iowa, so I assume I fit into the Midwest region. I live in Cedar Rapids where I am a pastor. I'm pretty busy, so I don't always get out to capture nature as much as I would like. But I've been dabbling at it, here and there when I can.

You can see some of my photos on flickr at: http://flickr.com/photos/thechurchgeek/

I am also posting a picture that was one out of five photos selected as winner of our local paper's fall photo contest.

Jim

Nice to "meet" you, Jim, and welcome to NPN and the Midwest forum! I think (and hope!) you'll enjoy it here. That's a very nice scene you posted...I can see why it was selected as a winner. Hope to see more from you in the future.

If you have any questions,. feel free to ask.

I'm from Southwest MI and take pictures of just about anything that catches my eye, although this seems to have been the year of flowers for me.

Hi toni,

Thanks so much for the greeting.

I'm figuring out how to navigate around here, so I just looked at your portfolio, and I really love the drifting sand picture. Probably because it seems very warm, and there is none of that right now!!! But it's a wonderful photo. I also like the wintry countryside photo a lot. You have some very nice work!

Jim

Hi ya, Jim.. Glad you could join us.. That Iowa corn gives your shot nice texture..

Like Toni, I'm from Michigan, only the northern part of the lower.. I have a Flickr account too.. I'll go check you out and leave a comment..

I hope you enjoy and find value with your time here..

Thanks very much, Jim!

None of that nice warm sand now...in fact, this part of MI has been advised that we may get as much as 8 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow!

Welcome, Jim. So glad you can join us. We look forward to your participation in our forum. We're in the midst of a major update of this site, so we hope you'll add your insight to the process. You can look at the threads from 11/29, 12/10 and 12/14 if you want to catch up on the conversation.

Your image is beautiful. Congratulations on your contest win. I like the way the light warms the top of the corn stalks. Reminds me of the movie quote: "Is this heaven?" "No, it's Iowa."

Hi Jim and welcome,

I'm from near Madison, Wisconsin, but lived in Iowa City for about five years while going to grad school, and grew up in the SW part of Iowa. There are several nice places around Iowa that I keep meaning to get back to visit - Maquoketa Caves; the Upper Iowa River bluffs, the loess hills.

One of my favorite places to XC ski was somewhere near CR. It's been so long since I skiied there that I can't remember where, though...

Tim!

Welcome, Jim I'm from central Illinois living with the corn and soybeans!!! I like your shot. It has a warm mood to it. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

ya gotta watch Toni though, if lighthouses are in the area she dissapears..even in cold weather.. poof!

Cindy...how true!

thanks everyone for such a warm welcome! It is snowing here in Iowa again, I've lived here for five years now and this is the most snow/ice/sleet/rain/ we've had in december that I can remember.

Tim: I grew up in Wisconsin, just southwest of Milwaukee. I love that area of the country and get back there less than I would like to visit my parents. Iowa sure is pretty, though, I still have not made it to Maquoketa Caves!! Where are the Loess hills? I'll have to look them up. We do like Backbone State Park a lot, which is about an hour north of IC/CR.

Anyway thanks everyone, I look forward to interacting here and on other forums and seeing all your great photographs!

Welcome aboard Jim, I saw your work on flickr, you have some nice images there. You came to the right spot to learn from, this is where I got my start and the info and critique people share is amazing there is not a better place on the net.

Glad to have you Jim. Nice image here. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Welcome!

Hi again, Jim,

The Loess Hills are along the western edge of Iowa. Think "Council Bluffs," but extending from Hamburg to north of Sioux City. There are several Nature Conservancy properties in those hills, along with my family... ;)


Tim!