In earlier posts, I have related that I have been very frustrated with my photography work. The frustration continues somewhat, but I have discovered that frustration is part of the sacrifice you choose when you chase your dream. I really do not like to admit this, but I had become very relaxed in my techniques as a photographer. I suppose that I had become very comfortable with the way that I saw things and the way that I went about recording my images. Most people have come to realize that when you become comfortable with any situation that is usually when you lose perspective on what you thought you had accomplished. When I discovered this concept, I became even more frustrated with myself; however, I resolved to work myself out of this situation. I believe that it is not good for a photographer to become sloppy in the techniques of photography and that is what had happened with me. Unintentional as it was; none the less it had happened. So I set about to "study" my techniques or the lack thereof. Every Saturday or Sunday afternoon for the past three weeks, I have set up an outdoor studio on my front porch and I have done studies of different flowers or groups of flowers using different photography techniques. The first week I studied Gardenias. I love Gardenias or as my Grandmother use to call them "Kate Jasmine". The Gardenia is a very, very old plant, but in June of each year they produce the most beautiful, white flowers with a Heavenly smell. My Gardenia bush was a gift from a lady that used to go to church with me and my husband. She rooted it from her bush and gave it to us as a house warming present when we moved in our home thirteen years ago. She is in the nursing home now, but every time I look at the Gardenia bush I think of her. I also studied the magnificent Southern Magnolia. My neighbor has a magnolia tree in her front yard and she was gracious enough to let me gather blooms from her tree this year to photograph in my study. I have wonderful neighbors, I am constantly gathering flowers from their yards to photograph and they never say anything. Matter of fact, they will often come out and help me or wave at me through the window. Then last, I studied several flowers such as the Hydrangea, the Cala Lily and blooms from my white, butterfly bush. I gathered them together and put them in a pitcher that used to belong to my Grandmother made out of "Carnival" glass. I also studied and photographed one of my favorite flowers-the Day Lily. I have several different varieties in my yard. I can tell you that taking the time to study has certainly paid off and I really enjoyed shooting the different groups of flowers. Yes, I did not get every shot correct, but I am returning to my "first love" of photography. I have a new perspective. Thanks for viewing my blog and I hope that you will come back again.
Happy Shooting!
Vickie O.
