Holla! My name is Minie, and I'm a 21 year old ambitious photographer. I was born and raised in California, and have lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since 2000. I love photography, and photo editing. I don't like to edit my photos to be unrealistic (unless It's HDR), but I do edit most every photo before I upload it, because the original files never quite reflect the colors and contrasts I remember photographing. I've recently realized that I would absolutely LOVE to be a National Geographic photographer. It combines just about everything I want out of life as a photographer. I would love to travel, and it would be wonderful to be able to vary between people, places and animals, while getting PAID to do it! And knowing that I am working would give me the extra boost of confidence to get right up in people's grills with no shame :) Comments and critiques are always welcome and encouraged! I have been shooting since I can remember, but at the age of 12 I got my first REAL camera ( a Pentax ZX-30 SLR). I use a Canon Rebel XS now, but my early Flickr photos were taken with a Fuji FinePix S700. I also am hopelessly in love with Dynamic Photo (as opposed to Photomatix) and Photoshop CS4. I find Dynamic Photo is much better at giving me more realistic results while still allowing me to create an extremely powerful, eye-catching HDR image. Photomatix tends to have trouble with certain subjects, especially people (skin), in my photos. At the moment I shoot with my kit lens (18-55mm), a Canon 50mm, a Tokina 12-24mm wide angle, and a Sigma 70-300mm lens. I adore all of my lenses, but someday hope to upgrade my kit lens. I'm also looking to upgrade to an external flash. Aside form photography, I am a local musician. I am in several bands in Albuquerque, along with my own solo project. Have a listen! myspace.com/themotelles myspace.com/holidaysail myspace.com/listentominie AND, I love to model. I mean, LOVE to. I am always interested in being someone's muse :) Modeling photos available on Myspace, and here: ModelMayhem.com/Minie I'm Female and Taken. Myspace! Albuquerque, United States of America