I have to tell you, I'm a Type A Type A (that's not a typo...). It's
important that you fully grasp this to get the message I'm sharing, not because
I'm proud of it (I fight it every day!), but so you can appreciate where
photography has brought me. By nature I'm a goal-setting, list-making,
de-cluttering, overachieving, schedule-making, full-time IT manager,
mom-of-six, reading fiend, project-oriented kind of woman. I don't do anything
halfway (and that covers the good and bad!)
When I got into making jewelry I had beads coming out of my ears,
wire in every gauge, and tools I didn't even know the purpose for. When I
started volunteering for the state-level home school organization (back when we
home schooled), before I knew it I was in charge of the statewide formal
graduation ceremony and de-facto assistant to the convention director. When I
learned to crochet as a teenager and when I revived my interest in the fiber
arts not so long ago, I had/have yarn coming out of my ears and every size of
crochet hook--even one small enough that I'm not even sure it has the hook.
So, when I started following my life-long passion for photography
let's just say I was consistent. I'd already been through a couple of point and
shoots when I really got serious and started amassing equipment. I don't
know how many times I've said to my photography mentors, "I've got some
cash, what should I get?" Sometimes the reply I received was a list of
items to review, but most often the gist of the message was, "You have
everything you need. Practice. Shoot. Learn." I'll assume here my reader
can imagine this was a blow to my over-zealous perfectionist approach to all
things! I was looking for a step-by-step, checklist-shaped, goal-oriented
ticket to perfect shots all the time--a formula to follow to get it
"right".
Now, a few years, a few classes, a few outings/trips, and a few
thousand clicks later I hardly recognize myself when I'm behind the lens. I'm
looking for what I see, not what the camera or the equipment can do. I'm in
search of an image that speaks to me, not just a photo that follows all the
rules. I am able to enjoy an outing without feeling compelled to document it.
I'm more apt to pick up something light colored to reflect light onto a subject than fret that I didn't bring my pop-up reflector. I am willing to grab any
lens and commit to it for the day, looking for what I CAN see instead of
lugging all my lenses "just in case". The turning point was a photo
tour to Maine where I captured some truly surprising shots. A
"drive-by" shot of some underbrush in full autumn color and birch
tree trunks...wide open aperture, slow shutter speed, low ISO, and intentional
camera movement resulted in a photo that took my breath away--primarily because
it had come from MY camera! A symmetrical reflection in water that came out of
post-processing severely cropped and turned upside-down--and gorgeous! A tight
shot of waves crashing on the rocky shore of Acadia...most people cannot see it
until I tell them what it is, but they are drawn to it and find it
simultaneously peaceful and stirring.
Don't miss the shot. Learn the fundamentals so you know how to use
the tools you own, then:
1. Enjoy the craft of photography.
2. SEE what is in the viewfinder.
3. Take some chances.
4. Relax.
5. Let your camera speak to your heart and let your heart show
through your lens.
6. Step outside that Type A box and let photography soften your
edges. It just might change your heart.
See, I still couldn't resist putting this in a list.
[Editor's Note: The turning point Kati referred to was as a
participant in one of our Maine photo tours. She was a dedicated, motivated,
and excited participant who was eager to learn all she could, and came away
with some incredibly beautiful images. She has been soaring ever since.]
TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/3 sec.
Aperture f/45. ISO
100. Lens: Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6
set at 300mm. Camera: Canon
60D. Gitzo tripod with ballhead.
TODAY’S QUOTE: “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the
eye.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Kati Grow bio:
Kati lives in
the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, one daughter, five sons,
two labs, and two cats (only two females in the whole bunch!) She works at
Washington and Lee University as the information systems manager and operations
coordinator for the office of admissions. She enjoys shooting the historic
areas around their home, landscapes, flowers, and people--especially when
they don't see her. Check out her Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/SouthRiverPhotography
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