Day 107: Art Lessons

I found myself reading a Brenden Williams Creative article on photography skills after receiving compliments on some photos I had taken.

Really, I was trying to answer -

"do photographers have an eye for a lot of compositions but only some of them turn out how they want?"

Finding this answer would provide validation for the frustration I've experienced in seeing a great shot and not being able to capture it as intended.

It would serve as a means of permission to even consider that I am, in fact, a photographer. That I could give myself that label. That it didn't need to come from someone else.

As I read on, this section really jumped out at me:

Define A Purpose Behind Your Photos

If you are just taking photos without any reasoning behind it, then you’re guaranteed to plateau. To improve as a photographer and develop your eye, define a purpose for why you’re taking a picture.

Why are you shooting this subject? Why are you framing the photo in this way? Why are you focused on the foreground rather than the background?

All these little choices you make when taking a picture should be intentional. With creative purpose, you’re in control of your photography and will start to see improvements. If you just take pictures without any intention, then how are you supposed to get better?

After all, if you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, you can’t develop your photographic eye. Your eye for photography is built from intention; defining a purpose for the why’s of your image will help to improve your creative vision.

--Whoa--

I know I'm reading about photography, but am I reading about photography right now?!

Because I think I just got coached!

Did you get it??! Give it another read after we change a few words...

Define A Purpose Behind Your Choices

If you are just making choices without any reasoning behind it, then you’re guaranteed to plateau. To improve your life and develop your perspective, define a purpose for why you’re making a choice.

Why are you focusing on this subject? Why are you framing the choice in this way? Why are you focused on the foreground rather than the background?

All these little considerations you take when making a choice should be intentional. With creative purpose, you’re in control of your life and will start to see improvements. If you just make choices without any intention, then how are you supposed to get better?

After all, if you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, you can’t develop your life perspective. Your perspective for life is built from intention; defining a purpose for the why’s of your choices will help to improve your creative vision.

In total, only 3 word meanings were changed:

photo(s)/picture --> choice(s)
photographer/photography/photographic  --> [your] life
eye --> perspective

and only 3 words were changed for context and grammatical correctness. 

[taking -> making]
[shooting -> focusing on]
[choices -> considerations]

And yet, the meaning, really, remains the same.

This is a great example of how intention and understanding of why you do things you do (and who you do them for) directly impacts everything in life. 

Whether it's a hobby, a profession, a life outlook, or a phase of life, the intent you have when making your choices will always shape your perspective and how you experience life.

So, in answering my own question that led to finding this article - Yes.
Photographers don't always get the intended shot every time.

So, am I a photographer?
Again, Yes.

I take photos with the purpose to capture and convey an intentional perspective.
And I create my life perspective through deliberate and considered choice.

Anyone looking for a mantra???^^^ Just kidding (mostly).

Being deliberate and considerate with all of my choices in life will always be a practice. But overtime it will feel second nature, just like the elevated life satisfaction that comes with it.

Day 106: Beauty Break

Some days the best thing we can do for ourselves is take a break to appreciate the beauty around us.

Where do you find beauty?

Day 105: All or Nothing

It's not all or nothing.
It's never all or nothing.
There is always something.

Find it.

Something is where happiness lies.

Something is where perseverance lies.

Something is where courage lies.

Something is where growth lies.

Something is where the future lies.

Seek out the future. 

Your future. 

Not the future that come from accepting 'nothing.'

Not the future that comes from getting it 'all.'

Seek the future that comes from what can be gained from every experience.

Seek out something. Seek out yourself - and you'll get the world.

Day 104: Coaching Brain

 You know your way of thinking has changed
when you get excited about feeling bad.

 

 

"I really want to understand what's going on inside!"

Day 103: It's not the topic, it's the criteria

As time passes and more thought is given, the anger starts to build.

My friend sent me a text a few days ago:

I was pretty neutral about it - a stark change from just a handful of years ago. Then I began researching and the pot began to simmer.

I read an article from The Globe and Mail, a Canadian news outlet, stating how Justice Alito takes the rear view mirror approach, for essentially everything, in asking:

Was there an abortion right in previous times, such as when the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868?

The article goes on to quote: “He’s looking back to a historical period when women are denied the vote and, more generally, almost any legal rights,” Prof. Hasday* said. “And he’s saying that’s what the Constitution is embedding for all time.”
*Jill Hasday, the Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Centennial Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School.

In Learning Adventures, U.S. Constitution: 1787-1789 - it states:

The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of our Federal Government. It is often called the supreme law of the land; no law may be passed that contradicts its principles. At the same time, it is flexible and allows for changes in the Government. The Constitution is known as a “living” document because it can be amended, although in over 200 years there have only been 27 amendments.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE IN OVER 200 YEARS THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN 27 AMENDMENTS?!

Are we all dead?! This is supposed to be a LIVING document, isn't it?! 

So what gives?

Well, that's just it - there isn't any agreement on if the constitution is a living document or not. 

There is no line written that explicitly states, "this constitution is a living document." Which, to Justice Alito and other Originalist politicians, gives the green light for keeping and enforcing outdated ways of thinking and governing.

And until there is agreement - or an amendment establishing such - we will continue finding ourselves in these distressing and heated situations, no matter what the topic.

Our struggle as a nation really isn't the topic (at any given time), it's the criteria that's being used to assess it.

Day 102: Destined for Stardom

Commentator 1: It's red carpet season and we are live! We've already seen so many stars dazzling us this evening. It looks like - oh yes - this year's biggest sensation, Belly Pep, has just arrived!

"I saw his little curly-cue hair, and I knew he was destined to be a star."

Commentator 2: That's a direct quote from Belly Pep's manager, Starla Standgroom. And as a veteran of the Business, she knows a thing or two about stars. We have a few photos from when Belly was just starting out. Here's his casting photo...wow, he looks like such a youngster!

  

And here we see them together, post contract signing. It's clear Starla wants the world to know she 'knew him when' and saw the star potential before anyone else.

Commentator 1: Don't worry, Starla, we won't forget it. And how could we, with Belly's - now iconic - Green Beach shoot. As soon as these photos hit publication the world could not get enough of Belly Pep.

Commentator 2: That's right! We'll certainly all be watching eagerly to see what he does next . . .

Day 101: To Baby or Not To Baby - Is it Even A Question?

Have you heard the rumors?

I hope they're true.

I mean, FINALLY, someone else gets to make all of the difficult, incredibly important, and life changing decisions for me!

What a relief!

I'm talking about having a baby here, in case the title threw you off. And planning out my whole life path in advance - with titanium - so there's no possible way I can get thrown off course or, say, grow and learn about myself as a human and then change my opinion and preferences on things.

Nope, life is hard enough as it is. I'm totally game to shift that weight on to someone else.

I mean, if the government is willing to put in extra effort to decide if I have a baby or not, why can't it go a step further and make other areas of life easier?

Take eating for instance - do you know how hard it can be sometimes to decide what to make for dinner?!

It would be great if the government would just decide all of my meals for me. I can't be bothered with the energy it takes sometimes to pull a meal idea out of thin air - just tell me what I'm eating, Gov!

And while we're at it - it would be Fantastic if it could plan out all of my workouts, too. You know, picking all of the routines and letting me know what I'm doing each morning.

Because, as Tuesday's SCOTUS leak reminded us, the woman's role in the 21st century is still to make babies. And, pulling from what society has whispered in my ear my whole life, that has a greater chance of happening if we women stay fit and healthy so that males will find us attractive. Right? Did I get that right?

And our country cares SO MUCH about sacred human life, they will do whatever they can to make sure nothing tries to destroy it. 

Which, when you think about it, is kind of comforting. Our country really cares about us!
 - What's that? Oh, they only care about life when it's growing inside a woman's body, but after that everyone is on their own?

Huh . . .

Well, I guess it's just the first step towards revamping the way this great nation views the foster care system, early childhood education and childcare in general. Surely all of the money saved from abortion care and clinics will be more than enough to provide comprehensive care, training, therapy and monetary aid needed to ensure EVERY child, no matter what their living situation, is happy, healthy, and safe. I mean, this is America! We don't have orphanages . . . 

And then there's sex education and contraceptives. We don't even need 'em! Let's just revisit the idea of chastity belts and the whole problem will be solved. I certainly don't need to decide when the time is right to have a baby. I'd rather have the government decide when my life is going to change.

Because knowledge is power, you know? I know that deciding what's right for my life and body is much too difficult of a decision for me to make on my own, so the government should have all the power. 

See? Everybody wins!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously, these are satirical sentiments. 

While I find this impending repeal of a woman's right to make decisions about her own body horrifying, I do have hope that many of the other taboo topics connected to reproductive rights (and health) will get the love they deserve.

To me, sexual education and convenient de-stigmatized access to free contraception seems like a great place to start. 

In my mind, no woman WANTS to get an abortion. 

No woman WANTS to make an incredibly taxing, mentally and emotionally traumatic decision that will stay with her for her entire life. 

To disregard and devalue the living, breathing human that is already functioning and contributing in the world, because there is a living organism inside of her that may join the outside world 9 months later, is wrong.

If, morally, this country wants all fertilized eggs to meet the outside world, then they need to start nurturing and providing for the hosts who carry them. 

This means 1000% religiously and politically neutral sexual education curriculum taught in ALL schools and at various age levels.

This means 1000% free and easy access to contraceptives and the accompanying education needed to ensure they are used correctly.

This means 1000% better mental and medical healthcare system, paid family leave, and free parenting and early childhood development classes.

What I see from recent news leaks is the opportunity to address the root cause of all of this. Abortion is a symptom of a bigger problem. 

So that begs the question - what is it that we really want?