Award-Winning (?!)

Since I started bird watching a couple of years ago, I have been on a path that has led me to want to be the best photographer I can be.  I have upgraded my equipment, I have read books and articles, I have watched countless YouTube instructional videos, and I have spent countless hours practicing and experimenting.  All this with a 71year old brain that I fear is rapidly nearing the end of its shelf life.  At first, I just wanted to improve the quality of the pictures I take, most of which I use on my blog.  But as I gradually made progress, I started to get some compliments.  I even had people comment that some of my works were extraordinary, or the best they had seen, or, gasp, professional!  Fortunately, I didn’t let it go to my head (well, not too much!).  For every success, there have been failures too many to count.  As I have started going on birding/photography trips, I receive lots of solicitations from persons who identify themselves as “Award-Winning Photographers”.  So, I got to thinking, what does it take to become an Award-Winning Photographer?  As best I can tell, there is no minimum criteria or specific contests one must conquer.  So, with great trepidation, I entered some of my photographs in the Wildlife Category of the 2023 Guadalupe County Fair Photography Contest.  I am happy to report that I was awarded first place ribbons for three of my peices, and second place ribbons for two others.  As a result, and at the extreme risk of getting a big head and taking my accomplishments way too seriously, I have decided to award my self the honorary title of “Award-Winning Photographer”, albeit a bit tongue in cheek.  Fact is,  I expected to win the grand prize, which I did not do.  So, this Award-Winning Photographer will continue to study and practice, and will make future attempts to pad my rather thin photography resume.  So, look out all you other Award-Winning Photographers, I’m coming!  Stay tuned!