The Making of Memories By Judith L. Trest

We carry a lot of memories with us as we grow older and sometimes those memories can dim and fade with time. The photographs I have taken just about all of my life are a tangible reminder of all the good times shared with family and friends. With photographs you can step back in time not only to revive your own memories but also to get a glimpse of family and scenery from the past.

I have had a camera in my hands since I was in 4th grade and my collection of photograph albums rivals my collection of hardbound books. Our home is filled with enlargements of photographs taken during our travels to the point that there is no more wall space.

As I grew older and my financial status changed I went from whatever the current version was of the point and shoot cameras to an Olympus OM 10 and then the completely manual and older OM-1 and finally my Leica. I was fortunate when I first started using my 35mm camera to have a group of true professionals operating one of the original one-hour film developing businesses. They walked me through many areas of photography and helped me learn how to take good pictures.

Although my children always figured prominently in my pictures as they were growing up and eventually were replaced by my granddaughter, taking pictures of scenery and animals has always been something I enjoy more than anything else. My husband Mike and I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively over the last 15 years and I have amassed a large collection of visual memories. In addition, I have been able to share those memories with our friends and family through our web site "Come Travel With Mike & Judy" (http://www.judy.trest.com). Our extensive travel has given me lots of scenery and people photographs and living in San Diego, a short hop from the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, gives me great access to a wide variety of animals until such time as our travels can take us to Africa.

Our travel and people photographs are from such diverse places as Asia (Japan for 18 months, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong), Europe (Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France), The British Isles (England and Scotland) and Israel. We have also been lucky to travel to various destinations within the US such as Washington, D.C., Virginia, Tennessee (The Grand Ole Opry), Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, Tampa and Orlando, Florida, throughout New England, the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas among so many others.

I think my favorite place is Yosemite National Park here in California. It's spectacular waterfalls such as Vernal Falls and Yosemite Falls, breathtaking views, and relaxing atmosphere make it a great destination ... and also an overpopulated destination. We have found the best time to visit is either during the winter months or early June. Two of my favorite pictures are Vernal Falls and the reflection of Half Dome in the Merced River.

Maybe Yosemite is a favorite because I was raised within a stone's throw of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Here you see the top of Mountain Washington usually buried in the clouds, spectacular granite mountains, The Flume, the Old Man of the Mountains or the Profile .. all breathtaking views I grew up with and visit each time I get back to New Hampshire.

We have had many adventures over the years and lots of photographs to share. Some of our images will remain as memories just for us but there are many that I am sharing over time through my Wandering Photography business - http://www.wandering-photography.com. After all, there are always new memories to be made and pictures to be taken.

Judy Trest has been lucky to have a variety of exciting and interesting adventures. Both Judy and her husband Mike are avid photographers. Her interests besides photography and travel are in the Internet and technology areas. Come Travel with Mike and Judy at their Web site: http://www.judy.trest.com.