Day 111: Beach Gear

As the kids say these days - 

I was Today Years Old when . . . I saw my first fitted sheet at the beach. 

 . . . and I totally lost it.

I could NOT stop laughing!

Seeing the wind catch the corners of that fitted sheet and really billow in the wind was more than my funny bone could take! 

Then watching the sitting space shrink in size by about 1/3 every time the elastic was let go set off another eruption of giggles. 

I really commend the spirit of 'working with what you've got.'  

It was just so funny to me because I NEVER would have thought to take a fitted sheet to use as a beach blanket.

Boy, oh boy, it was truly a sight to behold.

Day 110: Cauli-Flower

 It's not a cauliflower . . .

or is it the prettiest cauliflower I've ever seen?

Day 109: Friday the (May) 13th

This sunny Friday started out like any other Friday . . . 

Well, not exactly - I slept poorly, finished getting dressed for work 5 min before I had to race out the door, and it was already 80 degrees at 10am. But other than that, it started out like any other Friday.

However, it did not END like any other Friday.

I decided to go for a walk around North Pond before heading home. I was looking out over the pond, my head phones in, lost in my own world. 

Then I hear, "Excuse me."

I take out an earbud as I turn around. "What?" I queried.

In front of me stands an older gentleman with a cocker spaniel. He wastes no time in responding.

"Some people should be exonerated and others should be disposed." 

 

and then he just walks away...

 

HUH?!?!

Day 108: Bird Bath

Looking out the window at the building next door, I spotted something peculiar.

Sprinkles on the roof of the porch . . . in just one spot . . . falling - up.

A wet bird then appeared on the edge of the gutter, ruffling it's feathers. 

I guess it was bath time!

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.