Letter

Martin Kuhlmann

Heidkamp 9

Emtinghausen BRD 27321

Germany

Dear Martin,

Hi, my name is Libby Blake. I live in New Hampshire in the USA. I am a sophomore in high school and currently taking a photography class. In this class we are  learning about different styles of photography, how to operate the equipment, and how to adjust composition to get an image that is visually appealing.  I love photographing living things and the natural world because of the emotions that can be captured with these subjects.

  I came across your work several months ago while I was on Instagram and felt immediately connected to your photos.  You are very effective at evoking a strong response both in your composition and technical aspect. I really enjoy seeing what you post.  I particularly like your style of editing and want to learn more about that part of photography.  What software do you use and/or recommend?  

Living in rural New England I am surrounded by woods and lakes and mountains but mostly the beauty of the sky uninterrupted by city lights.  It’s my favorite subject to capture with the infinite variation of light and clouds and tree lines.  I use just the basic editing program on my computer to manipulate the photos to make the colors pop or to change or enhance the emotional impact I want the composition to have.  I have  a lot to learn not only about editing, and photography itself but I really enjoy it.

 My mother used to do some photography work and she gave me her older Canon EOS Rebel, I think it’s from the second year Canon made the digital Rebel, so it’s old and  pretty basic.  We use the school’s Canon cameras for class which range from basic point and shoots to the 60D. I  was really impressed and inspired when I learned your age and I wonder when you started and what camera you used.  I have so many questions to ask you! Have you taken classes? How often do you go out? What inspires you and how do you look for those things?  How do you make your editing choices?  And when do you know you’re done?  So many seem to over-edit and I often think “Hey, that used to be a photograph.”  I understand it is also a legitimate art form, but I prefer subtlety and more of the raw composition.

I don’t know how far I will go with photography, it seems like a pretty competitive  field  but I know I want to go to an art college so having experience in photography will be beneficial.  Do you want to go further with your photography? Start a business?  I’m including a few  of my own shots as well as a picture of myself.  Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I look forward to hearing from you.  

Sincerely,  Libby Blake

Care of Amanda Bastoni

184 Hancock Road

Peterborough, NH, USA

03458