Taking flight
Lesson two in our Find Your Eye class was to start an “inspiration file.” This is meant to consist of 15 to 20 of my own favorite photographs, the ones that speak to me and that I love to look at. Well, that shouldn’t be so hard.
Well, except that sometimes I make things harder on myself. Before I can pick my favorite/best photos, I must compulsively organize ALL of my photos. I know, I know. But actually, it helped with the exercise, because I scanned through hundreds thousands of pictures very quickly, not letting myself obsess (too much) over any particular one.
It was the 15-to-20 photos part that turned out to be the hardest. I ended up with a few over 50, and had to leave out a lot of others that I really love to get it reduced that far.
Bluebird of Happiness Times Four
What I ended up with is a folder of photographs that surprised me. It makes me happy when I look at each one, and even happier when I see them all grouped together. You see, I’ve never been very impressed with my own abilities as a photographer. But seeing all of my favorites at one glance, I realize I really do like them. A lot.
They are not all brilliant, or technically perfect, but each one has something about it that I love. Some are out of focus, or a bit crooked, but I left them in because they give me ideas. I want to remember to try that shot again, and get it better next time.
Fuzzy duck…but oh, look at that green!
These, my own pictures…they do inspire me, and I think that was the point of the lesson. I’m grateful to have learned it.
Sea Blue Lens 
August 6, 2011 at 9:14 am
Cool! It is a surprise to find that your own photos are inspiring, isn’t it?
These are lovely, by the way.
August 6, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Lee – I love what you have written and shared with us. I had to smile regarding your compulsive organizational journey – something I can certainly relate to!
But I think you have hit upon an overridding truth – that we photograph first of all for ourselves. We attempt to capture what moves us, what inspires us, what speaks to us. How exciting to have gathered together your images and feel that pride at what you created. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Beautiful images – I really like Taking Flight – kind of a visual metaphor for your own journey.
August 6, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I would love to see your file! I love your images posted here, so serene and so much blue and water!
August 6, 2011 at 4:13 pm
They are in my Smugmug gallery – you can see them here: http://seabluelee.smugmug.com/Photography/Inspiration-File/. They’re in no particular order. (That will come later, I’m sure, as I refine it further.)
May 28, 2015 at 8:27 am
UPDATE: I am no longer on Smugmug, but my inspiration file is in an album on Flickr.
August 6, 2011 at 4:34 pm
When you said “You see, I’ve never been very impressed with my own abilities as a photographer. But seeing all of my favorites at one glance, I realize I really do like them. A lot.”…I smiled because that echoes my own thoughts as I sorted through my photos. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
August 8, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Yay! What you experienced is perfect! Sometimes you just have to take a step back and group things to see the overview. I love this exercise for that reason. Your birds are cute!