Jumping back in the pool...

[JPalmer]

Well... after a lengthy layoff from even picking up a camera after voluntarily leaving the newspaper industry for greener pastures and less time away from my family.... the time has come to jump back in the pool so to speak.

I've got a bevy of old nikon manual lenses.... getting a new digital camera in the very near future and way better than starter lens.

I have missed photography and missed being an active member around here. Abel, I'll get your your $25 soon so i can put something witty on my profile.

Eight years as a PJ has taught me a lot, the 5 years before that as a portrait artist were pretty good to.... now, I'm starting the next chapter of my photographer life.

Good to be back among friends and probably some enemies too...

[lscottpht]

Well, it's about time! :)

[venchka]

Hi Jason.

Glad you're back. I still owe you some prints.

Jump back on the horse!

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Welcome back man. Missed seeing your work around here.

Joe

[Dobick]

Welcome back Jason -- been wonderin what happened to you?

[PhotoByLeal]

I was thinking the same..... your the only one that can tell yourself that your ready to come back! WELCOME BACK!

[Jake]

Yay! The real Jason is back!

[JPalmer]

haha... thanks guys.

Story time story time....

So, back in April as I was getting ready to marry the love of my life and inherit 3 stepkids I came to the awful realization that the journalism industry was not going to be the long-term answer that I was looking for in stability.... never being one to shy away from controversy I jumped into the next closest "evil empire" industry.... health insurance. The hours are better and the stress about the same.

Anyways, stepping away from the paper was the toughest decision I have ever made in my life. Worse, I didn't have any of my own equipment save a couple of flashes and wealth of old film bodies and manual nikon lenses..... so... I took a break. Needed to wash it from my system and let that desire come back naturally.

Finally, we are financially stable enough that my wife told me that I should go buy some stuff. Never once in the last nine months have I said a thing about it. I have never complained. For that patience, she's going to let me do what i want to do.

So.... I'm leaning towards the Nikon D90 or maybe a used D300 and probably going for the sigma 50-150mm f2.8 lens as my "starter".... nevermind that I have about 8 old manual nikon lenses that are all f2.8 or lower that'll work just fine and dandy.

But... I'm getting that trigger finger itch again and I think it's time to once again announce my presence with authority.

[srwatters]

Welcome back. I'm not sure you'll be happy with the D90. The D300 might be a much better choice if you're not into the video thing. But no matter which way you go, it's still a Nikon

[venchka]

Do you own a Nikon F3 HP? Why not? Go get one.

Develop B&W film yourself. Buy a scanner & inkjet printer. Make some art.

[L Stegall]

Welcome back. We've missed you.

[toverman]

Welcome back!

I voluntarily left my last newspaper job, but have been stuck in freelance/contractor limbo.

[Roy]

Welcome back to TPF Jason!

[Debbi]

Welcome back!

[David_3]

Welcome back, Jason!