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