Ever since the photoshoot with the designer my excitement for photography has dropped. I went to the fair... meh... took some shots, nothing too exciting, went to mt. rainier again... meh... nothing made me jump for joy that I had pearl around my neck. I put some pictures up at the yoga studio and have been overly critical of my work displayed there. This past weekend I had a photography class. I was not really excited about it, especially when I found out we were going up to mount rainier in the rain... I have been up there twice already this summer and did not know what I could possibly find. My usual friends were not on the class trip with me either. sigh... I was saying how this was going to be my last class. I should have canceled, I did not want to go. Especially in the rain. The last class it was a nightmare, juggling an umbrella, tripod, trying to frame a shot with part of the umbrella covering the shot, changing settings with one finger, the rest holding the camera still, the other hand holding the umbrella and one finger lending support to the camera... ugh. Not fun. Very frustrating.
I hitched a ride with a gal in class, she is super funny so the ride up there was a blast. I was feeling a little better, but not hopeful in seeing anything new as I had been here twice in the last few months. Then we get out on the first stop along the way. Into the woods we followed our passionate teacher. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She spoke to the trees, gave leaves voices, and tree roots were heard. It was still raining, but i started finding things. Mushrooms, moss, patterns and shapes. I started hearing them too. In that rainy forest my flame was ignited again. I did not know it yet. We ate our lunch and wouldn't you know it, the rain stopped. The temperature dropped, but I had 7 layers of clothes on, I was fine. The Mountain was obscured by clouds, but I was okay. Every question that was presented to the teacher was met by an enthusiastic leap in the air and a "Guys, come close, Lavender has a GREAT question!" then she would answer the question AND answer follow up questions that were not even asked. She met every question with a wide smile, and always a clear answer.
Sunday class is a show and tell of sorts, you bring in some of the stuff you have been shooting since the last class to show your progress. Last time I brought in shots my friend kept punching me because the teacher was overjoyed with my eye. She loves the way I see things outside the box, that I experiment and play. She is so encouraging as were a few gals who have been in her classes for years. My shots I chose to bring were picked apart in a good way, showing the class what to keep in mind while shooting. I also brought a few landscapes because I am still not good at those. They are still clumsy and the settings are very different from what they are for my small scenes. I like to isolate subjects from the rest of the scene, but landscape you show everything, you have to have a focal point without isolating it like I do in the small scenes. I just struggle, and she gave helpful criticism to those shots. One she Loved though because she was familiar with the spot and she did not recognize it at all. It was the campground of my childhood, taken a few months back in eastern washington. It was a place I hated as a kid, hot and dirty, and with my mother. It reminds me of her, and that was bothersome to me. Maybe it was that feeling she picked up in the shot instead of seeing a place she has been several times before through her joy filled eyes, she saw my contempt for this place, the bad memories imprinted on the subject. Or maybe it was taking in such an amateur way that she did not see it because of my sloppy shooting skills. ;-)
After class I felt energized and new. I feel like I am feeling better, like my passion for photography got sick, and it just needed some medicine provided by my teacher. Although, I do feel like my body may be coming down with something.. haha! I have three folders of pictures on my computer that need to be gone through and edited. I have been putting it off for weeks. I am going to o it today. ;-)
I hitched a ride with a gal in class, she is super funny so the ride up there was a blast. I was feeling a little better, but not hopeful in seeing anything new as I had been here twice in the last few months. Then we get out on the first stop along the way. Into the woods we followed our passionate teacher. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She spoke to the trees, gave leaves voices, and tree roots were heard. It was still raining, but i started finding things. Mushrooms, moss, patterns and shapes. I started hearing them too. In that rainy forest my flame was ignited again. I did not know it yet. We ate our lunch and wouldn't you know it, the rain stopped. The temperature dropped, but I had 7 layers of clothes on, I was fine. The Mountain was obscured by clouds, but I was okay. Every question that was presented to the teacher was met by an enthusiastic leap in the air and a "Guys, come close, Lavender has a GREAT question!" then she would answer the question AND answer follow up questions that were not even asked. She met every question with a wide smile, and always a clear answer.
Sunday class is a show and tell of sorts, you bring in some of the stuff you have been shooting since the last class to show your progress. Last time I brought in shots my friend kept punching me because the teacher was overjoyed with my eye. She loves the way I see things outside the box, that I experiment and play. She is so encouraging as were a few gals who have been in her classes for years. My shots I chose to bring were picked apart in a good way, showing the class what to keep in mind while shooting. I also brought a few landscapes because I am still not good at those. They are still clumsy and the settings are very different from what they are for my small scenes. I like to isolate subjects from the rest of the scene, but landscape you show everything, you have to have a focal point without isolating it like I do in the small scenes. I just struggle, and she gave helpful criticism to those shots. One she Loved though because she was familiar with the spot and she did not recognize it at all. It was the campground of my childhood, taken a few months back in eastern washington. It was a place I hated as a kid, hot and dirty, and with my mother. It reminds me of her, and that was bothersome to me. Maybe it was that feeling she picked up in the shot instead of seeing a place she has been several times before through her joy filled eyes, she saw my contempt for this place, the bad memories imprinted on the subject. Or maybe it was taking in such an amateur way that she did not see it because of my sloppy shooting skills. ;-)
After class I felt energized and new. I feel like I am feeling better, like my passion for photography got sick, and it just needed some medicine provided by my teacher. Although, I do feel like my body may be coming down with something.. haha! I have three folders of pictures on my computer that need to be gone through and edited. I have been putting it off for weeks. I am going to o it today. ;-)
*edited the last picture for designer
*made my own dishwasher soap
*sold a photo at the yoga studio
*went to the thrift store and found some treasures (5 vintage dresses and 8 brooches)
*worked at the food bank
*met someone new and had coffee in the park
*laughed at funny cat videos online
*slept at night
*caught up on laundry
*watched bad TV
Today I will:
*work at the food bank
*go to photography class
*send food bank pictures I took of the food drive
*smile
*breathe to keep my anxiety in control
*watch bad TV
*get my camera gear ready for tomorrows field trip (in the rain..)
*get dressed
*hopefully laugh
*be me
This weekend I will:
*attend class
*snuggle on the couch with my sweetie
*sleep
I just need to:
*finish editing pictures for designer
*find joy in photography again
*get out more
*clear out my home
*have another yard sale
*get dressed
*heat up my coffee again, it is cold
*focus
*dance
*pay the bills
*make some calls
*find ways to save more money
*make a batch of laundry soap
*play with Luna
*watch the sunset outside instead of though my windows
*let things go
*be the person I want to be
*find my center
*love
*clean the counters and floors in the kitchen
*put all the laundry away that lays on the love seat
*get all the garbage out for trash day
*smile more
*search for joy instead of potential problems
*be adventurous
*be creative
*research photos for an Engagement photo shoot ;-)
*play
*work
*get my body massaged tonight (professionally people, minds out of gutters)
*stretch my body
*appreciate gray skies
*change
*stay the same
*eat peppermint ice cream
*wear rainbow striped socks (makes everything better)
*close my eyes and daydream good things
*enjoy the scent of my town (big fair, cotton candy-deep fried foods-hamburgers-scones-caramel apples-cow dung)
*be delighted
*be kind
*meet the new neighbors across the street instead of spy on them through blinds in the kitchen
*wash my hands more
*find more ways to save money rather than spend it
*bite my tongue
*listen
*open my drapes
*breathe
*stop over thinking everything
*think about what I am doing
*trust my instincts
*send a friend pictures of her family at the zoo
*trust that the universe has me right where I am supposed to be
*make more jokes
*visit ICHC more
*make more lists
*plan
*get off the computer and clean
*stay on the computer and relax
*get started with my day
*finish editing pictures for designer
*find joy in photography again
*get out more
*clear out my home
*have another yard sale
*get dressed
*heat up my coffee again, it is cold
*focus
*dance
*pay the bills
*make some calls
*find ways to save more money
*make a batch of laundry soap
*play with Luna
*watch the sunset outside instead of though my windows
*let things go
*be the person I want to be
*find my center
*love
*clean the counters and floors in the kitchen
*put all the laundry away that lays on the love seat
*get all the garbage out for trash day
*smile more
*search for joy instead of potential problems
*be adventurous
*be creative
*research photos for an Engagement photo shoot ;-)
*play
*work
*get my body massaged tonight (professionally people, minds out of gutters)
*stretch my body
*appreciate gray skies
*change
*stay the same
*eat peppermint ice cream
*wear rainbow striped socks (makes everything better)
*close my eyes and daydream good things
*enjoy the scent of my town (big fair, cotton candy-deep fried foods-hamburgers-scones-caramel apples-cow dung)
*be delighted
*be kind
*meet the new neighbors across the street instead of spy on them through blinds in the kitchen
*wash my hands more
*find more ways to save money rather than spend it
*bite my tongue
*listen
*open my drapes
*breathe
*stop over thinking everything
*think about what I am doing
*trust my instincts
*send a friend pictures of her family at the zoo
*trust that the universe has me right where I am supposed to be
*make more jokes
*visit ICHC more
*make more lists
*plan
*get off the computer and clean
*stay on the computer and relax
*get started with my day
I was bullied by M----l on facebook to create a post, and we all know how forceful he can be. So here it is.
My head is SO full of scrambled eggs right now, that only fractions of thoughts are forming, but at least it is delicious. ;-)
List of current Loves-
Mr. L * kitties * bright colors * leftover barley soup for lunch on a cloudy day * Sunshine this morning for a meeting with a gal I met on Flickr * While sitting there at a picnic bench a toddler tagged me, kids have always felt safe with me, like they sense that I am just a giant kid too * I made my own dishwasher soap and am going to try it as soon as I am done here (hope it works because it is SO simple and CHEAP) * visited with my dad for a few minutes this morning * Rode my bike around downtown this morning * wearing green and white floral converse with green and blue striped socks * found a "healthier" version of lucky charms cereal cheaper too! * my home is quiet * watching supernanny makes me SO glad I never had kids * feeling colorful today * mint tea with honey* cotton clothes * love * laughter * tight hugs * sunflowers * I did not kill the computer yesterday when I poured coffee all over it * singing along with my ipod when I know nobody is listening * friends making me post things on Vox * my home * listening * loving where I live * not caring if I am cool or not according to someone elses standards * being myself * feeling strong * hot cocoa * finding one last roll of toilet paper after that panic sets in when you think you are out * remembering right now to put that on the grocery list * Almost done with the designers pictures and I can be DONE with that, I quit work for a reason * Autumn is showing up! * soft rain starting 30 minutes after I get home * cozy day * photography class this weekend * I am full of happy things to say rather than negative * kind over matter * Green * still finding myself, it is a fun journey * laundry is caught up * not feeling heavy but light and floaty * smiling is easy today * turning off the phones so I can enjoy more silence * ANTM is on tonight * silliness * playfulness *
okay I think I am done
XO
My head is SO full of scrambled eggs right now, that only fractions of thoughts are forming, but at least it is delicious. ;-)
List of current Loves-
Mr. L * kitties * bright colors * leftover barley soup for lunch on a cloudy day * Sunshine this morning for a meeting with a gal I met on Flickr * While sitting there at a picnic bench a toddler tagged me, kids have always felt safe with me, like they sense that I am just a giant kid too * I made my own dishwasher soap and am going to try it as soon as I am done here (hope it works because it is SO simple and CHEAP) * visited with my dad for a few minutes this morning * Rode my bike around downtown this morning * wearing green and white floral converse with green and blue striped socks * found a "healthier" version of lucky charms cereal cheaper too! * my home is quiet * watching supernanny makes me SO glad I never had kids * feeling colorful today * mint tea with honey* cotton clothes * love * laughter * tight hugs * sunflowers * I did not kill the computer yesterday when I poured coffee all over it * singing along with my ipod when I know nobody is listening * friends making me post things on Vox * my home * listening * loving where I live * not caring if I am cool or not according to someone elses standards * being myself * feeling strong * hot cocoa * finding one last roll of toilet paper after that panic sets in when you think you are out * remembering right now to put that on the grocery list * Almost done with the designers pictures and I can be DONE with that, I quit work for a reason * Autumn is showing up! * soft rain starting 30 minutes after I get home * cozy day * photography class this weekend * I am full of happy things to say rather than negative * kind over matter * Green * still finding myself, it is a fun journey * laundry is caught up * not feeling heavy but light and floaty * smiling is easy today * turning off the phones so I can enjoy more silence * ANTM is on tonight * silliness * playfulness *
okay I think I am done
XO
