Small Is Beautiful

I don't know about you, but I've often wondered why I even bother to share my stories on my blog or post photos on Flickr when there is already a cornucopia of awesome bloggers and mindblowing photographers out there on the world wide web.  It's hard to fight the feelings of insignificance and unworthiness that creep up every time I post a story or a photo, as I nervously wonder if anyone else out there will find what I have to share even remotely interesting. 

Fortunately, I discovered the Small Is Beautiful Manifesto (curated by Magpie Girl and our own Jen Lemen), and boy, what a load off my back that was!  Read it for yourselves, and you'll know what I'm talking about.  While that little manifesto was written with bloggers in mind, I think it's just as applicable to photographers.  I really do believe that our photos matter, regardless of who actually sees them.  If a photo you capture holds meaning for you, or stirs your soul, or makes you laugh or smile or think or cry, then it matters, even if the profundity or joke or wisdom or sentiment may elude every one else.  If you are passionate about photography, then taking photos for the pure love and joy of it is more important than how many views or comments you receive on Flickr or your photoblog.

Go ahead.  Experience the freedom that comes from believing that Small Really Is Beautiful.  You won't regret it.

And feel free to share a link to a photo that matters to YOU. 

*Edited to add: Just to be clear, the  book pictured above is E.F. Schumacher's book about "economics as if people mattered" and NOT the Small Is Beautiful Manifesto, which is not a book at all, but a short statement of beliefs that will take most people less than a minute to read.  So don't be afraid to click on the link! 

Captured

There have been so many times in my life when I’ve uttered the dreaded phrase; I wish I had a camera. Too many to count actually. Like the time when we were in Spain and the battery in my camera died on our long, meandering walk through the countryside of a tiny village where we had spent our day. We were roaming up and down sloping hills, and as we dropped into a still valley, through the tall brush rose the ruins of an old church. Dark, time-worn stones still held a sacred shape on the overgrown holy ground. And right above the still pointed tip of the remaining peaked wall was the glowing moon, dangling in the late afternoon sky; a sight so breathtaking I was weak in the knees. And yet, I had no camera to capture it. At least not a camera that worked.

Photography is an art that can often take us by surprise. A moment we weren’t expecting happens right before our lens and-click-we grab it just like that. Events and expressions happen around us everyday that are photo-worthy. Although I don’t carry my camera everywhere I go, there are times, by a stroke of good fortune or maybe even synchronicity that I’ve had my camera with me at the perfect moment.

The other day as I was driving away from a portrait session, down the steep hill away from my client’s quite street, I headed toward the hustle and bustle of an LA Blvd. As I slowly approached the signal, there before me was an impossibly blue sky, dreamlike billowy clouds and this architecture that made the whole landscape come alive. It was as if everyone came out to play and I had stumbled across the fun. Sitting beside me, in the passenger seat was my trusty companion. What luck! Click.

Are there any pictures you’ve captured when you were especially glad you had your camera? Share your clicks.

Get Silly

When was the last time you got silly? This weekend, get outside. Walk around the block with no shoes on. Pick flowers out of your neighbors' yards and wear them in your hair. Let your kids stay up past their bedtime. Build a fort on your couch with sheets and pillows. Make up silly lyrics to your favorite songs. Watch a scary movie with all of the lights off. Do cartwheels and spin in circles until you fall down.

And don't forget to take pictures.

fun project

I found this tutorial today at www.fototiller.com via photojojo. The kids had so much fun making their "OWN" coloring pages. Thought yours might too. You could even make them into a book here or here, and give them as birthday gifts. Happy Wednesday!  :)

When I feel uninspired

On February 8, 2008 Polaroid announced that it will abandon instant photography. Like everyone else I panicked, stocked up on film and signed the petitions. I haven't taken many photos since then. It's April and I'm wrapped up in my winter coat, wool turtleneck, scarf and carry an umbrella with me every day while avoiding dog poop on the pavement and waiting for sx-70 weather. But I also know that for some reason, I don't feel it. I just don't feel like taking photos.

When I feel uninspired I get up early to think, I sit at the children's section of the local library. I set up my sons' favorite toys while they are at school so we can immediately play together. I read. I knit or buy something for someone I care about. And despite the frustration, I realize the value of each moment: enabling me to grow, to be honest, to think creatively about how best to use these moments of discouragement. To make my own rules without feeling guilty about it, and reconnect with my true self.

What do you do when you feel uninspired? How do you keep being creative despite the moments of doubt? How do you use these moments? And here are some favorite Polaroid photos and a book project that I'd like to share with you. Please feel free to leave links to yours.

1-2-3-4 ) by tae-tae

yellow blouse & seahorse by danske

waiting by athena

Monday by cute annie

and For the Love of Light: A tribute to the art of Polaroid, a collaborative book project featuring some of my Flickr favorites like Jenny Vorwaller, Fernanda Montoro and Anne Naumann.

Happy Friday.