This morning I read a post from one of my favorite blogs, Focusing On Life. I've mentioned them here before; this wonderful group of talented, inspiring writers and photographers. The post this morning was called "Looking Back". Leigh, the author, spoke of when she looked through her archives of images recently. She discovered that she "wasn't the same photographer." Photography had become "ho hum" and she wondered what caused it. Then, she wrote something that made me stop in my tracks and begin to think.
You see, I've been feeling the same way. The joy of photography seems to be escaping little by little. Her thoughts, "I think we study so hard to learn our craft that we get wrapped up in the technical aspects." Could this be? Yes, I think so, at least for me. I remember the days of just snapping a photo of something that caught my eye, uploading it to the computer, and then smiling because I'd capture what I wanted. Was it technically perfect? Probably not, but it was what I saw and what I wanted to capture. Now, I worry about all the technical things like light, aperture, shutter speed, rule of thirds, crisp focus, and on and on.
So, today I grabbed my old trusty point and shoot camera and went outside between rain showers. I didn't go far, only in my front yard. I didn't plan. I didn't think. I just clicked and you know it was a lot of fun. Just plain relaxing and fun.
By no means can I go back to "no technical" shots completely, but I'll be making more time to stop learning, to stop worrying. to just shoot and capture what my heart and eyes see.
Confession: I did crop a couple of these...that pesky two-thirds rule just won't go away!
If you're feeling similar, read Leah's post here, then grab your camera, skip the technical stuff, and just have fun!
Thank you, Leigh!!
Oh I do know what you mean! That's why I love phone photography so much - no pressure to be perfect just a fun way to capture bits of your day. Your shots are lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh, I completely get this, as I have been struggling to learn my new camera and all its bells and whistles. I can tell that you enjoyed yourself, shooting this watery world. I really, really love that third one - of the ripples - beautiful! Here's to having fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time you had and lovely photos to prove it! Yes, I'm afraid we too often forget to shoot with our hearts. My 365 project will be done on June 30 ... and I'm glad. It's one of those things that can take the heart and fun out of my shooting. Like today. It's 5:30; no photo; drizzling out. What's a gal to do? Well, I think I'll just go out and find some wet flowers and snap away. Thanks, too, for the 'plug'! :-D
ReplyDeleteYes! Sometimes I look at my photos from years ago with my old point and shoot and remember it as being so fun just taking pictures. I still want to learn more about photography, but hope that some things begin to be second nature and I'm able to just take pictures without too much thought. It looks as though you had a great time capturing all the things in your yard!
ReplyDeleteI think we all get into creative troughs periodically, and just need a little inspiration to get us going again. It looks like getting out between showers worked for you -- these are lovely flower images! More fun!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved taking photos. They bring back precious memories for me!
ReplyDeleteYour photos today are lovely!
Always a good lesson for getting you out of a slump, I remember one class I took where we had to walk a few steps, stop and shoot another good way to just shoot and see something you might not have seen if you had just hurried by. I love these types of exercises.
ReplyDeleteCathy I'm so glad my post resonated with you! And I am also so relieved to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this sometimes. Thank you for sharing the post on your blog. Love your photos! There is something magical about shooting after the rain when everything is renewed and refreshed!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a good plan- lovely photos of your watery garden.
ReplyDeleteExcellent thoughts and advice, Cathy! I feel the same way. Sometimes I just want to approach photography in the simplest way possible away from all the learned techniques and rules... it's like being on holiday! It has to remain fun!
ReplyDeleteI love all your flower images in the rain and how the rock in your last photo shows off its lovely colours, thanks to the rain!
I read that post and had similar thoughts. I've recently been going over my photos to choose one to be printed on canvas (someone gifted me a certificate). I realized there was nothing I've taken recently that I like enough to make permanent in that way. Though I'm not a technically proficient photographer, it does seem like the more self-conscious I become, trying to make "good" photographs, the less I connect with them emotionally. I enjoyed your post and the results of your play very much!
ReplyDeleteFor me I love this post because I have never taken a Photography class and really the idea of having to be so technical with my shots does seem like it would be more work then fun. I love just taking photos of what I see. I do try to find different angles and such for shots but most of the time I just shoot away and hope for the best. I loved the shot here of the stone with the water on it.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that the original post gave you reason to pause, permission almost, to return to a simpler use of photography, and I'm glad you enjoyed the break. But, as you point out, the rules and techniques you've learned over time are almost automatically applied. So perhaps you will find a "best of both worlds" way to meld a freer approach to photography with the skills you continue to perfect.
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