And with flickr, it gives me a chance to find photos like that, because there is such a varied community of people, that it's practically guaranteed you'll find at least one photo close to what you're looking for. Plus the talent is so amazing, I just keep finding more photos that inspire me and push me to try new things! I've so enjoyed finding new ways to look at my environment and photograph ordinary objects in extraordinary ways - one photo with a surprisingly positive response was my Spring Shower photo:
It was just a moment of inspiration - that's all I can say about it. I was getting ready to take a shower, and I'd had some success with previous photos of water in motion (I have a great camera with a super-bright flash, and a super-fast shutter speed, so I was able to capture some really cool shots of water splashing on the edge of my daughter's little bathtub) and wanted to see what else I could get. So I hopped in, pointed my camera up at the stream (thank goodness for weatherproofing! My camera has little gaskets to protect it from splashes - it's not waterproof for underwater shots, but spray won't damage it) and snapped a few photos. Afterwards, I chose the best one, and tweaked the contrast levels a bit. I was totally pleased with how it came out - but didn't expect the overwhelmingly positive response it received within the first couple days. It's already becoming one of my most-favorited photos!
Not only that, but flickr has given me the opportunity to share my photos with other like-minded photography-obsessed (or maybe just impassioned) flickrites, and the feedback is amazing... it's part of what keeps me clicking the shutter button. To know that my photographs have put smiles on others' faces, or impacted them in some way, or inspired them to try something new - what more could you ask for? (except maybe an offer to get published or something ;) Especially when it seems that I'm the only one in my family who understands the passion photographers have for their hobby/art/profession. It was very hurtful recently, when I was asking someone in my family if he'd seen my pictures lately, and another person near and dear told me I sounded like a salesperson. Just because I'm proud of my "art" and would appreciate if my family actually provided some feedback on this pursuit of mine... of course I would like them to look at my pictures and tell me what they think. Doesn't everyone want approval from the people closest to them? Especially when it's so personally meaningful? But to hear that insensitive comment... comparing me to someone who - in my mind, is usually classified as pushy, rude, and only looking out for their own interests (i.e. making the sale and getting more money) - it was one of the most hurtful things said to me in recent memory. Especially from one who claims to support me in my pursuit of photography. Of course, this same person has no clue why flickr is so important to me either... it doesn't matter what I tell him about it - if it's something he's not interested in personally, or something he doesn't "understand" then, well, it doesn't matter. He'd just rather not hear about it. It honestly makes me want to cry...
Well, it seems flickr is back up now... and my taquitos are waiting to be popped into the toaster oven... so I'm off! I hope to write more soon. There's alot going on right now, and so much to write about! Ok, well, ta-ta!
