Each their own

Sometimes I have to remind myself that talent is very unique and individual. Each person’s “creative outlet” articulates their personal vision, and one cannot necessarily compare to another. Likewise, what strikes one person may not appeal to someone else.

A friend sent me the link to the photography website of another acquaintance. I started looking through his images and immediately thought, “Wow, my photos have nothing on these!” (Yikes, there’s the old me emerging again.) Sharing my photographs is still relatively new for me, so I’m still working on getting past my shyness. Incidentally, I’ve never been good at accepting compliments or positive praise either. (At a recent staff meeting someone acknowledged me for helping with a project…in front of everyone! I told her later it wasn’t really necessary, she’d already thanked me directly.) I seem to be more comfortable just doing what I do and staying in the background.

So, on second thought, what makes his photography so much better than mine? He has a Photography Certificate from a technical school; I’ve never had any training (yet). He’s been shooting digitally since 2003; I’ve been using digital since last Christmas. His is a digital SLR with multiple lenses; mine is a basic point & shoot beginner digital camera. Do those things make one of us better or worse, more or less talented? No. We have different environments, different experiences, and different styles.

The key is to believe in myself, and my abilities - creative and otherwise - and have faith that the friends (and strangers) who tell me they like what they see aren't just "being nice".

Goal set and met

I didn't make a bucket of money at the OPA craft fest this weekend, but I met my goal of raising awareness of Titz'n Glitz on the Eastern Shore. The calendars drew lots of attention and sparked conversations, and several people walked away with pamphlets. Mission accomplished!

On the photography side, I sold a couple of framed prints and a few cards, and some people asked for my contact info so they could think about where to place the photos they had selected as their favourites. I was also encouraged by all the positive feedback, which in itself made me glad that I had finally taken the step to share that bit of myself in a public forum.

Too few? Too many?

I have no idea what to expect at this weekend's craft fest. I don't know if I've framed too many photographs or not enough. Are the prices too high, too low, or just right? Will my table be full all weekend, or empty early?

It reminds me of my first "Chanteen" weekend at the drop zone. I was so worried that I had prepared too many burgers and purchased too much pop, when in reality I should have had more; everything sold out in no time flat.

Oh well, I can't allow myself to stress about it. I can't possibly frame every image in every size. And I'll have my album on display in case anyone wants to order a photo that I don't have with me. I just need to relax, have fun, and have faith in myself and my talent. Time will tell...

Getting started

The first photo I shared “publicly” – aside from giving them to friends or posting on Facebook – was one I donated to an auction at the local pub. I was so nervous when it came up for bid, worrying that no one would want it or that if it did sell it would go for a pittance. I was thrilled as the bidding was active and the price kept increasing, even by small increments. Wow, someone wants to buy MY photograph! Later on I found it odd to think that my work would hang in a stranger’s house.

The following week I decided to take a really big step and offer three of my photos for the silent auction at Titz’n Glitz (www.titznglitz.com/halifax_home). Jeepers, I was anxious!! Even just unwrapping them to show the committee at a planning meeting caused Olympic-qualifying butterflies in my stomach. But the response was amazing, and I’m sure my face probably reflected several shades of blush at the praise.

At the event I made periodic trips to the auction room, just for a peek. I giggled with glee when the bidding closed. Where many items had sold below value, mine went slightly above! As Christina pointed out to me, we say that Titz’n Glitz provides breast cancer patients with a sense of empowerment, and now that applies to me too. Success at the auction gave me the boost I needed to finally make that leap out of my quiet comfort zone and offer my photography for sale. As a result, and because I so passionately believe in the importance of what we’re doing, I will donate a percentage of all photography sales to Titz’n Glitz, which enables financial assistance to be provided to breast cancer patients in NS through On The Front Line Society (breast cancer fund).

My first big outing will be at the Seaside Christmas on the Shore this Saturday and Sunday at Oyster Pond Academy. Wish me luck!!

Why photography

Sometimes my camera gives me a sense of purpose. I’m so shy that I feel awkward in crowds and I’m usually terrible at initiating or maintaining conversation. The camera, however, gives me something to focus on, and sometimes even a reason for being where I am. (Once I get past my initial self-consciousness that is.) I think it’s pretty easy to tell that I am far more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it though.

With the death of a friend in the summer of 2000, I learned the importance of “capturing the moment”. The search for a suitable photo for his funeral met with limited success, and I realized that my timid nature had resulted in missed opportunities that could never be recovered. I decided right then and there that I would take photos whenever I wanted to, and if someone didn’t want to be in the picture they could speak up and say so. And to my surprise, I’ve encountered very little objection.

When it comes to people, I prefer candid shots to posed; therefore my albums are littered with random photos of odd and interesting facial expressions, along with some truly priceless moments. Sometimes the element of surprise brings out the best in people, and you get insight into what they’re really feeling or thinking.

For a long time I wanted to experiment with what I considered “artsy” stuff, but again, lacked the confidence to try. My friend Trevor, whose photography I’ve always admired, used to tell me that I had “an eye” for great photos. It was a long time before I really believed him. I’ve started playing around a little more with my camera though, twirling buttons and aiming at whatever strikes my fancy, and more often than not I’m pleasantly surprised with the results.