Going Beyond [2B.1]

Wow . . . what a learning experience this has been already!! . . . and on so many levels….

This truly was a challenge for me right from the start . . . 

Kim said: “Set up your own scene”?

I have always been a sort of spontaneous shooter - I am rarely without a camera . . . 
I see something I like - I shoot it!! 

Yikes!! I question my ability to actually even ‘set something up’ in a way that is visually appealing . . . 
I have always been a proponent of the great photographer Diane Arbus, who said:

"I work from awkwardness.

By that I mean I don't like to arrange things. If I stand in front

of something, instead of arranging it, I arrange myself."

 . . . this was exactly what Kim was asking us to do!!  Arrange ourselves, not our subject

 . . . and that is why I am here . . . too learn, to stretch, to grow my creative talents . . . 

So I set up my scene.   Sort of . . . I added the flowers to the red vase

The Scene

Kim said: "try taking 10 different shots"

No problem! I have pretty much always used what is affectionately known as the ‘spray and pray’ approach to photography . . . 
I think I took over 100 shots . . .

  

This is likely why I have always found the next steps to be a huge challenge . . .

Kim said: "Take note of 1 or 2 of your favourites"

Did she say 1 or 2?? 

Note to Self: Learn step 3 in Kim’s ‘Photo Workflow’ - Cull/Sort

I confess. I find it so hard to delete rejects . . . 

I wince, I hesitate, I rationalize and, when I finally force my hand, I apologize profusely to the offending photo . . .

Oh yes I definitely need to be here . . . and now . . . I need this so badly!  I am far too embarrassed to admit to myself tell you how many photos I have saved . . . all over the place . . . or how much time I spend waste looking for them…

So today I will turn over a new leaf . . .

I inspected, I culled, I deleted (ow, Ow, OW)

I realized that I needed to adjust my idea of ‘the scene’

I had too many components to it…a bouquet, a stack of cups, a Ball canning jar. . . In my mind I thought I would use each part in the collage . . . I broke it down and decided I would make three collages! One for the bouquet, one for the cups and one for the Ball Jar . . .

Then I decided that was rationalizing and made a valiant attempt . . .

et voila

Kim asked: "Did I enjoy the challenge?"

Absolutely!!

Kim asked: "Was it difficult to find time for the exercise, did you feel rushed…"

No, not this time because I set aside the whole day (yes, I am lucky that way) to get up to speed . . . which didn’t happen but I will get there . . .

I know I can’t spend a whole day on every assignment but I am so excited to be feeling inspired again!!

Kim suggested: ". . . printing a small version of your fav and . . ."

My fav?????   Uh oh . . .

Okay. Okay.  I'm working on it . . .

Thank you Kim!!

For allowing me to join late and for igniting the creative spark and kick starting my photo mojo . . . 

Love, Janet xo

P.S. I LOVE Ommwriter!!