I have gotten into photojournalism a lot lately, and after taking a series of shots from the Winter Festival in Lowell, Massachusetts, a very inspiring event happened.

I talked to the photo editor at the Lowell Sun (local newspaper) before I actually took the Winter Festival shots. He said he'd like to review them, and that he likes seeing new faces and new shots. Come the minute I got home from the festival, I gave him a call and no answer. The next day, no answer. That following Monday, I gave him a call and he picked up and said, "Well you see, Winterfest is history now." Which I kind of figured would happen, but he still wanted to review the shots. So I burned them to a CD and he went over them, and gave me a few tips and analyzed each shot. I was intrigued and then determined to follow out exactly what he had given me tips on.

He recognized I was a student, a junior in high school, and offered me an internship when I began my senior year ("late spring, early summer," he said). He told me not to be discouraged, and to keep taking shots because news is always happening and sometimes they might not have a crew of photographers out there - but they may have a reporter. So I will be going all out photojournalist for the next few months, possibly years because I like the fact that there is a career in that. I love journalism, I love writing, taking photographs, and being educated. It seems as though the perfect job.

So please, expect a new style from me. Thank you all for everything you have given me, from helping me out as a beginner to teaching me the fine points in amatuer photography.

dA has become my family. I'm glad to be a part of it.

Thank you again,
Andrew Bechtol.

I took a set of photographs in Lawrence, Massachusetts, of an old mill. Two, actually. One was condemned and the other I had to sneak around to get my shots. I had a lot of fun taking those, I think they're some very respectable shots too. I really think they turned out great. I'd appreciate critique and comments, favorites maybe

Thanks everybody!

At first I was hesitant to post up my band photography project pictures up on DeviantArt, but I've realized that for now... I want this to be my focus, so I want criticism and I want to keep my friends and viewers informed of where I've been for the past few months in my project. I will post up as much as I can, I hope you thoroughly enjoy them.

Well autumn is coming so expect a barrage of conceptual and artistic views from my own eyes. It was hard for me to keep track of updating my DeviantArt account for so long because I got tangled up in a new style of photography - music. I've been photographing my friend's bands and other bands just for fun, letting them see how they appear. The vibe and the energy from these photographs and these shows is just spectacular.

[link] - that is my website of the band photography, I hope you enjoy it.

But yes, back on topic...

Autumn is coming, a lot easier for me to feel gloomy and depressive in the means that I will be able to take much more conceptual shots for you all. I hope you like what is to come, and please leave me criticism - I need it!

And to think I remember being excited about 900 pageviews. I've reached two thousand. What a number. Really boosting my motivation. I didn't post alot of pictures recently, I got really lazy and bored with the site - not getting the expected rave I had hoped for. But I made a comeback with a series from Italy. And I've gotten so much critique and good comments, that I've gotten enough motivation to keep this sucker going.

Hope you like what is to come. And make some purchases. I'd be a very happy man!