Since starting this venture into photography I have come across a paradox. Photographers have a reputation of being rather stingy with information. I have been told over and over again that it is a highly competitive business and that most photographers hold their knowledge very tight to the chest. That is why it has shocked me again and again how many photographers are more than willing to share and teach what the know to newbies. There are people like Chase Jarvis, Scott Kelby, Scott Bourne, Joe McNally… I could go on and on… who are constantly giving of themselves to help others with their work. These are people who have already “made it” in the world of photography. People who don’t need to share anything, could easily just go along on their merry way, take the time to teach others.

I have learned from watching these people (and others like them) that we are in a community. That worrying about “competition” or someone else stealing your ideas gets you nowhere but alone. We need others. Period. That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited to be a part of a new project called Faded and Blurred. Right now it is just a website, but we are hoping it turns into so much more. It is going to be a resource for photographers by photographers. A place we can come and talk about everything to do with photography. There will be tutorials, workshops, and photowalks. (Actually, the first photowalk is this Saturday at Venice Beach so if you live anywhere in the Southern California area make sure you sign up. There will be give-aways!)

One of my favorite aspects of Faded and Blurred is the giving back (read HERE). We don’t want to just be there to feed off of each other. We want to share with the people around us. I know all of us who are photographers feel very lucky to be able to look through that lens everyday and if we can help other while doing it all the better.

So, if you are a photographer by profession or by hobby or just enjoy looking at photography please check it out. It’s going to be a great adventure.

I am lucky enough to have found some wonderful friends through the internet. It all started for me about 9 years ago with a small homeschooling forum that I frequented. It was a way to talk to other moms in the same situation as me – trying desperately to teach their kids while not going insane from lack of contact with the outside world. The forum evolved quickly from that of not just how to homeschool, but how to learn and enjoy learning ourselves. It changed locations from the homeschooling site so soon other women joined in that were just excited about exploring books, music, art, movies, etc. Eight years ago about 15 of us had our first meeting. This was back in the day when meeting online friends was very new and very scary. You didn’t just go off to meet someone you had only “chatted” with online. I did though. I went to Ohio for a “retreat”. It was held at the home of the woman who started it all… Julie Bogart. Women came from all over the US and stayed in her home for the weekend. It took us a few minutes, but soon we were all talking and laughing like we had known each other for years. It was a surreal experience and one I will  never forget. We had numerous retreats after that – North Carolina, South Carolina… All of them making us wish we lived closer.

That forum has since come and gone and I assumed when it died the friendships would as well. That has not been the case. With the advent of Facebook and  Twitter a lot of us have reconvened and jumped back into the relationships. Who would think that with only 140 characters allowed so much could be said?

This week Julie came out to California and is staying with me for a couple of days. No matter how good the internet is it can never replace face-to-face conversations. We have only stopped talking in order to post to blogs, twitter, etc.

Today, Julie asked another online friend of hers, Bill,  to come down from Bakersfield today to spend some time.  Bill is someone she has known for 10 years, but had not met until today. I love the internet.

The world we live in today is so small. Those of you who think that Twitter and Facebook (and sites like them) are a waste of time – no one wants to hear what you are having for breakfast – maybe spend a few minutes to check them out. Your life could be enriched in ways you would never dream.