100 Day Project 2021

Sunday, October 30, 2016

A Dream Come True



dreams
small dreams - large dreams
impossible dreams - possible dreams

One of my dreams has been to meet and spend time with others who share a passion for photography and nature. It was a dream I didn't really think was possible. First, where would I find other photographers and second, I didn't think I was brave enough. My social anxiety rears it's ugly head when I think of meeting strangers and going to unknown places.

But, some dreams do come true. This one did. For three days I enjoyed the company of several photographers in the beauty of the Ouachita Mountains. Taylor Bellott, a local landscape, nature, and wildlife photographer offered a three day photography workshop. My sister and I decided we wanted to do this. When I really, really want to do something I can sometimes fight through the anxiety.

It was worth the fight! The three days were everything I dreamed of and more. The highlight for me was the night we spent down by the lake capturing star trails. Before dark we set up our cameras and waited for the sun to set and the skies to become dark. It was a magical evening, sitting underneath an amazing sky filled with brilliant stars while talking and laughing with new found friends. There were a couple of uncontrollable circumstances we had to deal with. There was a security light behind us and to the right. The light highlighted the trees in the lower right of the picture and I like the way that turned out. Then we had a problem with moisture on our camera lens, which was strange because it should have been too early in the evening for that much moisture. I was pleased with the way my first star trail image turned out. Actually, I'm quite proud it. It's not a perfect photo, but to me it's special because this image represents my bravery to attend the workshop and my awe of the beautiful world we are gifted with. 



I took a lot of pictures over the three days. Some worked. Some didn't. I practiced a lot of things I already knew and learned more. A few things we concentrated on photographing were sunrises, sunsets, reflections, and water motion. In my next couple of posts, I'll be sharing more of my dream come true.

"All our dreams can come true,
if we have the courage to pursue them."
~ Walt Disney

11 comments:

  1. How fun for you Cathy, love your images. The trying of new things is a wonderful thing and so glad you had a good experience.

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  2. Good for you. Glad you ventured out. Love the pics. Looking forward to more.

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  3. How wonderful, Cathy! I'm glad you took the plunge and got to spend time with others who shared your passion! That photo of the sky is amazing :)

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  4. Cathy, I love your star trail photo - it's beautiful. Well done! I share that anxiety about meeting strangers and going to unknown places. I'm proud of you for not letting it keep you from realizing this dream! And how wonderful that your sister shares a love of photography, and the two of you can do it together.

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  5. I am so proud of you for taking this risk and having the time of your life. I wonder if you do it more often it will become easier? Life is too short to not do the things we have the gifts and talents to do.

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  6. Cathy, I've never taken a star trail photo. Thumbs up on yours. I'm so glad you had this adventure. Sometimes, the unknown is scary but so rewarding.

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  7. What a brilliant opportunity - and well done for taking it. Your photo is amazing. I've never photographed star trails but you have inspired me. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.

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  8. We really did have a wonderful time. I like your star shoot. It was so neat to take the night shots.

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  9. How exciting for you. I would so love to do that someday. The Star Trail shot is really nice.

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  10. What a lovely experience you had with your sister, Cathy! Your star trail photo is just beautiful! Sometimes it's really worth going out of our comfort zone to achieve new things! Well done to you!

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Thanks so much for stopping by!!