I'm Not Perfect.....
Monday, March 18, 2013 at 08:05PM I know that's hard to believe isn't it...Not only is it hard to admit but even more shocking is that I'm writing it here for the World Wide Web to see. There have been times over the years when I thought I might not be perfect but I just shoved those thoughts aside...naw...can't be true..but the fact is I had to face the music today after trying to get my beautiful flowers to be in focus and me just a blur in the background...I see so many lovely photo's like this on line but I proved to myself today that it is just not my specialty...that does not mean though, that with more practice and a bit of help from my friends that I to, might master this creative side of shooting.
So the truth is in the photo...I'm a complete failure at self-portraits. I know, hard to believe right? Photo's don't lie though and as you can see from these wonderful shots from earlier today, I didn't make the grade..Oh I tried, I spent several hours trying so hard to focus on those damn flowers and none of them with me in the shot came out in sharp focus..I changed my lens several times, going from my 50mm to my 100 macro, from my Canon 7D to my 5D Mark 111, which I thought could perform miracles..but not today. I even changed the color of my sweater because I could see that it didn't really enhance my photo with the pink flowers. So the ones you see are the very best out of my shots. Just a note here, all the photo's of the flowers without me came out perfect.
Your probably wondering why on earth would I share these terribly inadequate photo's with the big wide web. Well I'm sharing them for two reason...one, I think I did a great job on the processing..and two, I'm hoping one of you lovely souls will take pity on me and send me some great advice on how to do selfie's in a way that is not shameful to me or harmful to all of you...
Really, the reason I share these is to say, none of us are perfect in everything...and it's o.k. It takes a long time to get to the realization that we don't even have to be perfect, we just have to keep learning and growing and have a bit of fun along the way...so in essence, I'm not really unhappy with my post because it proves that at least I took the time to try and guess what?....I'll try again because I really want to get it.
Deep inside we all want to be perfect...but some days its o.k. just to be "good enough"..and pat yourself on the back for the effort.
"Every man's work, whether it be literature, or music, or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself." Samuel Butler
You will regret the cell-phone self-portrait in the bathroom mirror one day...
Reader Comments (3)
Dearest Cheryl:
The only help I can give is to possibly suggest contacting my flickr friend, Joyce, in Canada, who is a pro at SP's. I've never done this kind of thing, so can't give any advice. I've been struggling with *free motion stitching* on my machine. It's like rubbing your stomach, patting your head and tapping your foot, all while trying to create a stitched pattern. I'm sure I'm dyslexic, which certainly adds another frustrating factor into the equation. But I'm persistent and know that practice helps us reach a different level of expertise. I also think it helps when one has a passion to achieve a certain goal. Some things just hold no interest for me. One time an old friend told me she saw a sign in a window downtown which referred to me . . . and I have to tell you it horrified me when I saw it because it referred to a *perfect* person . . . I was devastated, and felt not one ounce of joy in being labeled as such. I love the process with the aim of being the best I can at the moment. I don't think any of us ever achieve perfection, as only God is perfect. However, we can aim high and strive to do the best at being us. Your traits of honesty and willingness to share personal struggles are so admirable. I wish I could be more philosophical about my feelings . . . but I'm a bit brain dead at the moment! Too much practice today, I guess! Ever so much love to you, always. Please be gentle with yourself!
HEY!! These are FABULOUS!! i am not very good at SP's at all....but i find that playing dress up helps me forget it is me i am photographing! it also helps to have a friend tag along and head to a location......with props and loads of silliness and smiles! My best SP's were when i just gave up and let the inner child run wild!! i have used my 24-135, and find that works well, outside when doing on location shots...i love RR tracks!
oh....and that whole "perfect" thing. 2 years ago, i gave up. i FINALLY realized with the help of a dear and sweet friend that it is not attainable....because no one is was or ever will be. Those words worked magic on me. it was like a lightbulb went on in my head that i was chasing a ghost....a vapor....something that simply does not exist....and it was like a weight was lifted off of me. I said to myself...Silly...you are simply you....and from now on you will just be the best you that you can! I am SO much happier now....no illusions...no trying so hard and always falling on my face, and NEVER getting to perfect....my philosophy now....love me as i am or not...your choice, but i am no longer going to kill myself to be what you want me to be! i am a happy me! Quirky and all!
Blur can be used very artistically and effectively. I love the last of your images, especially. Perfection is overrated! ;-) And who defines it anyway?