Have you ever had a moment in your life when you think you are all that and a bag of chips, the big cheese, the sh*t, the most awesome person ever etc. and then SNAP, reality hits you in the face? Well, I had this happen to me this week. I was still on cloud nine after my glowing review of my “color” photos from my photography teacher. He hadn’t had time to critique our past two homework assignments until this week. One of the homework assignments was about shadows and the other was about taking photos to practice the depth of field (the length of focus of images in the background & foreground).
I knew I had struggled with the depth of field photos, but my photography teacher pretty much confirmed that I am still a beginner and I need to practice more. It was so hilarious because the moment my pictures were projected on the screen for all to observe, he gasped, “What the hell is this?” Clearly, I was confused and lost with this week’s assignment. He also didn’t have many nice things to say about my previous shadow photos. In short, my past two homework assignments were epic fails! Now, my teacher is very spunky and sarcastic, so it was all in good fun. He served me a big chunk of humble pie.
Since I write with honesty on my blog, I will confess to my lovely readers that I was a little down after my photo critique. I was operating under the assumption that I was getting better and was understanding what photography is all about. Boy, was I in need of a reality check! I still have so much to learn and need even more practice before I can actually say I know how to take a good photo, not on automatic, but crafting it and creating it with manual settings. However, I have never been someone who quits. It’s just not in my nature. In fact, when I stumble like I did this week, it sort of fuels me to try even harder to master something. I have to remember where I started and how much I have already learned.
More than anything, I have developed a stronger appreciation and admiration for photographers. Their ability to capture a beautiful photo is truly a talented gift. If you look at the above photo of a window with the sun shining and the indoors still visible, not underexposed or overexposed, it’s mesmerizing. This is not easy to capture at all. The photographer had to make sure both the indoors and outdoors had sufficient light, but still allow the sunshine to brighten up the photo. Absolutely breathtaking!
Photos like these inspire me to go on and learn photography. Even in my current infant stage of this art form, I have to believe I will get better. I won’t be sharing my embarrassing depth of field photos, at least not yet. I will practice again and again until I can be proud to say, “I did it!” When that moment arrives, I will gladly share the photos with you. For now, please enjoy this photo above that visually explains why I have always been drawn to photography.
Although it feels like I am taking photos in the dark, I can see a little sunshine coming through a window far away.
Happy Friday, lovelies!
Photo credit: Both photos – Je Ne Sais Pais 
