Monday, October 3, 2011

Expectations Lost, Happiness Found


What is it about photography, that makes me happy? I've noticed lately, that whenever I go out and photograph, even if it's just for a walk around the block in the rain, that I return in a good mood. I am smiling and there is a spring in my step. I feel buoyant. The sheer act of capturing photographs, whether they end up good or not, makes me grin.

Thinking more on why photography makes me happy this morning, I found that photography is one area of my life where I don't have huge expectations or plans. I've learned to embrace the fun of letting myself be surprised. I follow my intuition and interests, as they pull me along in new directions. I find great joy in discovering what catches my eye on any given day. Amazing things have resulted as I follow those internal nudges - in photography, writing and my study of art in general.

Take Saturday's photowalk visit to the Farmer's Market, for example. Of course I photographed the colorful vegetables, but what really interested me were the flowers on the ground as the vendors sorted and tossed and created beautiful bouquets. Normally I would be attracted to the finished bouquets, but at this moment I was captured by the haphazard nature of the flowers scattered on the concrete and in the buckets. To me, on this specific Saturday morning, these images were the most interesting to explore and compose. These were the images that held a story. Next Saturday, in the same place, it will be completely different.

This gets to the "heart and soul" aspects of photography, or any art. Creating has the power to change how we feel. When we let go of expectations or plans, wonderful things can result. There is an interesting parallel here to the rest of my life I've needed to focus on as well: Letting go of control and expectation. It's something that I am slowly, and surely, learning to do. It's been a long road, but I am lucky to have something like photography to show me the way, with a smile on my face. 

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9 comments:

  1. I love that you found this "behind the scenes" array of flowers. I think that you and I share many of the same feelings about photography...I too go out without a plan and love to find what the walk or my travels offer me. It's like a gift-you never know what's inside.
    Happy day Kat.

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  2. Kat - your posts always make me stop and look inward - and I always end up feeling inspired - thank you.

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  3. I like that you picked the discarded flowers to photograph - they do tell a more interesting story. This says it all: "Letting go of control and expectation."

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  4. Great post, Kat! I love letting inspiration guide the way, too...there is such discovery and surprise and joy in that path! Thank you for writing about it..and for writing it in such a beautiful way..

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  5. What you describe here, Kat, especially in your first paragraph, is exactly what I experience as well - only I couldn't put it into words so beautifully. That grin on my face is there, too!
    Beautiful photo by the way - gorgeous color, and I love that you captured the "overseen flowers".

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  6. I agree with you. Photography just makes me happy. It's a great process...

    Lou

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  7. I agree with you. Photography just makes me happy. It's a great process...

    Lou

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  8. I was just talking to my husband about this last night. When I'm overwhelmed or sad, I can always find peace when I pick up my camera and head outside. It is so soothing. I'm older than you and have had a few more years practice at letting go of expectations. But, I've learned I'm happier by letting go. You have such a beautiful eye for, shall we say, finding the less obvious. I love this shot of the rejected flowers on the ground! Great post this morning!

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  9. You know I always enjoyed Photography but I never took it seriously as an Art Form until I began Blogging and looking at my World through the eye of my lens... now it is something I thoroughly enjoy in much the same way as you described so beautifully. One of the best compliments I got was from my Lil' Bro' who is a retired Professional Photographer with great skills in that Art Form... he saw my Blog & told me I took good Photos and he could tell people were connecting to my Images. I never thought about it that way... I had begun Blogging for myself as a Personal Journey and Journal and as it turns out it became so much more than that & I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet so many amazing people through this Medium.

    Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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