I just completed week 2 of my second photography class at Charleston's Center for Photography. This class is great but a little intimidating because it's all about having your work critiqued by the instructor as well as the rest of the students in class. My first assignment went very well with a lot of great feedback (whew). In trying to grow myself into a better photographer, I've been getting out some of my old stuff that I photographed in prior years and critiquing myself. Thankfully, I'm my toughest critic because I'd die of humiliation if my class were as hard on me as I am on myself.
As I was looking at some of my older work I saw some really great stuff and then I saw some stuff I wish I'd never shot. In a way I guess that's good because I can see that I'm making progress. I sometimes would see a shot and realize my composition was all wrong or my exposure was not right. I would cringe and think "why didn't I see that?" With some images that I once thought were pretty good, I'm now throwing in the trash.
Life can be like that too. Sometimes when I think back to seasons in my life (some not too long ago), I cringe and think, "why didn't I see that?" or "why did I say that". I wonder why I acted in a certain way or lacked the wisdom and knowledge to handle myself better in a situation. Sometimes it's hard to look back and I don't think it's productive to do too often because we should continue to look forward and press on. Occasionally, I do think it can be useful to look back though, to learn from our selves and our own history. I sometimes think how I'd like to handle things if I got a "Do-over".
I'm so thankful that God doesn't require perfection from us. I would miss the mark every time. I'm also so glad He lets us learn and loves us enough to keep teaching us and refining us. I can't go back and re shoot all the great photographs I missed in years past or go undo all the wrong things I've done, but I can look for new opportunities with a better understanding of what I want to accomplish. Thank you God for allowing me to look back but not requiring me to.
As I was looking at some of my older work I saw some really great stuff and then I saw some stuff I wish I'd never shot. In a way I guess that's good because I can see that I'm making progress. I sometimes would see a shot and realize my composition was all wrong or my exposure was not right. I would cringe and think "why didn't I see that?" With some images that I once thought were pretty good, I'm now throwing in the trash.
Life can be like that too. Sometimes when I think back to seasons in my life (some not too long ago), I cringe and think, "why didn't I see that?" or "why did I say that". I wonder why I acted in a certain way or lacked the wisdom and knowledge to handle myself better in a situation. Sometimes it's hard to look back and I don't think it's productive to do too often because we should continue to look forward and press on. Occasionally, I do think it can be useful to look back though, to learn from our selves and our own history. I sometimes think how I'd like to handle things if I got a "Do-over".
I'm so thankful that God doesn't require perfection from us. I would miss the mark every time. I'm also so glad He lets us learn and loves us enough to keep teaching us and refining us. I can't go back and re shoot all the great photographs I missed in years past or go undo all the wrong things I've done, but I can look for new opportunities with a better understanding of what I want to accomplish. Thank you God for allowing me to look back but not requiring me to.
2 comments:
Oh my goodness! THis is the cutest thing ever! And I'm going to show it off to everyone!!! You are such a great family and a great role model to all of us young ones who don't have families! I feel so blessed to have family like you guys! I love you all!
I forgot, Jaime, your pictures are so amazing! You are incredible!
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