Back in 2005, A friend,  sestevens, recommended I'd look at DPC after a hostile takeover on another art site got really ugly. I had looked at other photography and art sites but this one with its weekly & side challenges and community appealed to me.
As with jumping into any established site with a strong following and a strong sense of community, it was a bit intimidating being a newbie. But if you but ask and keep an open mind, DPC unfolds and gives you that parachute so that you do not fall. And it is not *just* all about photography. I have seen the community come together to honor the memory of a member who passed beyond the veil of this world ( JawnyRico) , drew together to help a member who was experiencing hardship and later reward him for all his hard work for fostering a strong sense of community ( SDW), honor and cheer up a fellow member whose ongoing health struggles have forced her to give up taking fabulous photos ( Sherpet), rally together and offer support to another DPCer in his ongoing battle with cancer ( docpjv), and there are just oh so many more acts of kindness and community spirit both great and small that makes DPC more than just a photography art site. It makes it a *home* site. One where we can all gather at the table talk shop, share in the madness of that darn update button, share adventures, troubles, woes and of course, vent a little steam from time to time.:-)
Seven years later, Trees II marks my 100th challenge here at DPC. My creative muse has grown from the input and exploration alongside with this community. The site and the wonderful people here have inspired, helped and challenged/pushed me to grow and branch out in my photography beyond what I was capable of when I first planted my feet here back in 2005. I've gotten guidance and feedback from the community, participated in side challenges, been part of a great team in the DPL (Go Pirates!), come out of my turtle shell to actually meet some DPCer's , and learned from the tips & tutorials that have been posted here over the years.
Seven years is a long time. I *wish* I could list everyone who has walked alongside me at one time or another in my creative journey but the list would be very long and lengthy indeed. Some DPCer's still visit here, some have journeyed beyond to do their own things, and some have left & come back - to each and every one of you:
Thank you for serving as an inspiration.
Thank you for showing me different approaches to art and photography.
Thank you for showing me new techniques in processing/developing a photo
Thank you for good, honest feedback on my work.
Thank you Langdon and Drew for creating this photography community back in January 2002.
Thank you Site Council, both present and those retired, who dedicate countless hours of their time and energy in maintaining order and keeping this site up and running so that the many can enjoy the benefits of being a member of DPC.
A thousand thank-yous, and may there be a thousand more in the coming years :-).
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