30 Seconds of Fame

My 30 seconds of fame happened last week.
According to my husband, I'm an obsessive person.  Not OCD, just obsessive.  Apparently, when I decide to get involved in something, I become so engrossed and focused on that subject that I go beyond what a normal person would do.  There is a bit of truth to it.

As an example, I am currently obsessing on my photography hobby.  It started about a year ago.  I regularly travel on business around the Midwest and I prefer to drive.  A year ago I chose to drive because I needed the peace and quiet and a break from the stress of the office and my homework.  I started taking pictures along the way, first with my cell phone, then with a little Sony point and shoot digital camera.  Some of those pictures are included in previous posts.  It was a lot of fun to see something interesting along the road and share it when I returned home. 

I joined a local photography group and that's when the obsession started.  I went on all of the groups field trips.  I went to all their meetings.  I spent time with other photographers of all levels and learned everything I could.  I'm decidedly an over-achiever, so it didn't stop there.  I read books, magazines, blogs, and everything I could get my hands on.   I read about all types of photography and then took it a step further into design basics.  I don't just enjoy my hobby.  I immerse myself in it until I become an expert.

Just a few weeks ago I learned about an online photography contest called "Capture My Chicago" sponsored by CBS 2 Chicago.  The contest was open to anyone to submit the best Chicagoland photography to be published in a coffee table book.  Everyone would have a chance to vote on your submissions. 

I posted a handful of pictures though I never expected any of them to be published in the book.  I was mainly interested in the feedback on my work.  It was nice to receive the positive feedback. 

And then I got the email from CBS 2.  They featured one of my pictures on the evening news.  Out of the 40,000+ photos posted, mine was chosen.  That day I was the sole photographer featured to a viewing audience of 4.5 million people.  Talk about shock!

This is the picture I posted of the entryway of Restaurant 16 at Trump Tower.  I had lunch there with a fellow photographer during one of our field trips.  It was my first visit to the restaurant and I was stunned by its beauty and elegance.  I hope you are too!!