Our day went later than we expected so when we finally drove by the boat I had seconds to jump out, run down the path and quickly try to grab some photographs. My kids were staaaaaarving, the temperature had dropped so it was freeeeeezing, and the sun had already set so I had to bump up my ISO, aaaaaand....every picture I took of the boat, at every angle, was just flat and uninspiring.
I am posting this picture above because you need an example. Seriously, I am not fishing for compliments. You can all agree that is just an ok picture. I really do not care if I never look at it again. The sky was bald and uninteresting. Bleh. I had just missed the light. Bleh. And it is not really sharp due to the fact that I had to open up my aperture to its widest to let in more light. Bleh.
I finally just gave up and turned to escort Bean back to the car. (She had insisted on coming with me even though she was cold and starving.) As we turned to go she could sense my disappointment and offered to me her beautiful face for a picture.
Let this be a lesson, yet again, to myself:
Sometimes the photo that needs to be taken is the one I have yet to see.
More than once this truth has hit me as I have embarked on a mission with my camera. As I bump and push against the confines of my expectations I almost always discover that I am holding on too tightly to the images I see in my mind. This struggle is not wrong, it is meant to be a valuable lesson, only if and when I am willing to let go and let the images come to me. My most cherished photos are when I have relaxed into the understanding that the most beautiful photos, in my opinion, are the ones that unfold like a gift.
I am just the blessed receiver.
Here's to letting go...
T
4 comments:
Oookaaaayyyy freaking mom hormones. That second picture made me cry as soon as I looked at it.
What an inspiring lesson.
amen. and amen. you go, girl. you didn't miss the gift.
Good lessons to remember...
I'm all teary eyed after this one, Tracey.
Hugs.
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