Hey everyone!
As we celebrate NPN’s 25th anniversary, I thought it would be amazing to reflect on our individual photographic journeys and how this incredible community has helped us grow. Let’s do a “Then & Now” photo share! Post one of your earliest images shared on NPN (or an older image if you can’t find your first post) alongside a recent image that you feel represents your current style and skill level.
The goal isn’t to show off “perfect” work, but rather to celebrate the progress we’ve all made, thanks to the supportive critiques and shared knowledge within NPN. We all start somewhere, and it’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come!
I’ll kick things off, even though it’s a little embarrassing to revisit my early work. But hey, that’s part of the journey, right?
My “Then & Now”:
Then (2010):
Back in 2010, I was really into dramatic wide-angle landscapes. I’d often force foreground elements into the composition, even if they didn’t really add anything, like this rather prominent rock! I was still learning the basics of composition and light.
Now (2025):
Fast forward to today, and my focus has shifted towards capturing more intimate details in nature and expressing my personal vision through my photography. I’ve learned so much about light, composition, and processing, and a huge part of that growth is thanks to the incredible feedback and support I’ve received from the NPN community. I’m now a professional photographer, and I find immense joy in helping others discover their own unique photographic voices.
Your Turn!
Now it’s your turn to share! Don’t be shy – we’re all here to support each other. Please reply to this post with your “Then & Now” photos and descriptions; do not create a new topic.
Finding Your Old Posts (Tips & Tricks):
Finding old posts on the original NPN platform (NPN 1.0) can be a bit tricky, as the search function isn’t functional anymore. Here are a few suggestions:
- The “Page by Page” Method: If you remember a general timeframe or location, you can try browsing through the relevant forum categories page by page, looking for your username. This is what I did, focusing on the RMNP forum and searching for my last name.
- Google Search: You may get lucky and find an old post by using this Google search, just add your name after naturephotographers.net
- Don’t Stress If You Can’t Find Your First Post: If you can’t find your absolute earliest post, that’s perfectly fine! Just share an older image that you posted on NPN (or one that you would have posted) that represents your earlier style. The key is to show a contrast with your current work.
@Jim_Erhardt, do you have any tips or tricks for navigating the NPN 1.0 archives? Your expertise would be greatly appreciated, if you can remember anything!
What to Include in Your Post:
- Two Images: One “Then” (older) image and one “Now” (recent) image.
- Brief Descriptions: A short caption for each image, explaining what you were trying to achieve at the time and how your approach has changed.
- Your NPN Story (Optional): Feel free to share a few sentences about your overall experience with NPN and how it’s impacted your photography.
Let’s make this a fun and inspiring celebration of our collective growth! I can’t wait to see your “Then & Now” photos and hear your stories!