It’s going to be one of those rough stretches ahead. Been trying to mentally prepare for it but losing my grip today. Like my better half said, just take it a day at a time. As always, we will see how that works out. It will be a task to continue to post daily for the next two weeks but I’m going to give it a shot. I’ve got a streak going of 2 weeks in a row already, and I’d love to get a complete calendar month heading into 2018.
Get chopping.
Photo by Mike Hartley
It will be just that start I need. I’ve been piddling along for too long. I’ve got to be more effective in my use of time and focusing on productive things, and this will hopefully yield results. Being that I can’t do without the job that pays the bills right now and I don’t see any major changes in time I spend with family and friends, its my only option. And actually I’ve already started to feel rewards. But I also notice it’s a fine balance between being burnt or just burned out and then having downtime.
The quality will only be improved with more effort and time and practice. I have to improve design. Words have to build or support and not just fill. And my images have to improve in both capture and processing. I’ll be working hard on the capture point first because without that the second part is either difficult or shouldn’t be done in the first place.
I have a lot of conflict within myself even about purchasing a processing package Lightroom/Photoshop type product. First I know I have a lot to learn behind the camera and limited time to do that. I don’t need to be spending huge chunks of time at this time learning and working those applications. Plus I like the holding the original image pretty much intact. I do occasionally crop. I might bump up the brightness globally. But I don’t even employee things I used to do in the darkroom like dodging and burning.
Call me lazy if you want. I’ve been working in an industry where I’ve been exposed to a great amount of work from great photojournalist. Just like with the words that are written, there is an integrity in the image. And I try to maintain that pretty much, not that I’m pretending to be a photojournalist by any means. I can’t scratch the knowledge and skills for that club. Nor do I want to compete with the job that pays the bills. I’m more like the photo opportunist, grabbing those few minutes while out and about in my daily life and lifting the camera to things I find interesting or unique or beautiful or funny.
I hope I can put together works of art, maybe make a few bucks. But then again, like I said from the start, if my family and some friends like it or it makes someone smile or think or pause, then I’m a happy camper.
Top Random Thoughts of the Day
I’m beginning to think watching news is bad for my health. At the very least, it puts my big screen at risk.
Damn I get hungry often. The trick is not responding each time. Looks like a need a few more trick in my bag than pounds on my waist. But a reminder to all, it’s not about the look, but the fitness and mentally feeling good. I will never be that six-pack man, but I can still be in shape. And regardless where you are, just be happy with yourself.
Is it time for that 3rd or 4th party? And I’m not talking beer bashes.
It’s interesting to see the response to the video of the boy who was bullied. It should remind all of us to not respond after the fact but when we see it starting or happening and stop it. A lesson we should be teaching all our children. I think its wonderful lots of people are reaching out to support him now. But let’s make this type of behavior the exception instead of the rule and then reacting.
