So many of my favorite photos are just slightly out of focus.
As I learn the ins and outs of my DSLR (and I still am . . . more than two years later), I tend to capture blurry moments more than crisp ones. I can get landscapes no problem — still objects aren’t an issue — but my people shots? Where loved ones are talking, moving, thinking, walking, running?
Blurry.
But I embrace the blur. I embrace the idiosyncrasies. I embrace that I still have so much to learn . . . and that I’ll never stop trying to know what there is to know.
About photography. About love. About life.
This year I’m serving as vice president of my local photography club, and I led my first meeting last weekend. Initially nervous that I wasn’t enough of an “expert” to direct others on the facets of our favorite hobby, my anxiety has given way to calm. Being in the club doesn’t mean I’m a “professional.” It means I’m ready to share my own knowledge, however limited, with others . . . and prepared to soak up what others have to share.
I really miss school. Though college could be a bear and high school was, well . . . high school, I love the feeling of being a student. I adore picking out new pens and notebooks, turning to a blank sheet of paper, filling my brain with new concepts and trying to explain them all the next day. Though I graduated from college almost six years ago, I don’t feel like I’ve stopped learning. It’s no longer done in the traditional sense — not in a classroom — but I strive to keep at it.
Maybe that’s why I love reading, too.
I’m inspired by so many things — especially others’ work. I spend hours looking at websites and blogs, Pinterest and photography boards, thinking of new ways to capture my own life. And though I’m pretty darn far from perfect and can’t compete with the big dogs, as they say, it’s all about the attempt. Working at it. Doing it anyway.
And that slightly out-of-focus, nostalgic photo of Spence above? It’s one of my favorites.
write meg! 
Taking blurry photographs. Sadly that rings a bell
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I still need to learn how to use my camera, too! Cameras are HARD!
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As you’ve shown in the post you linked, blurry photos can sometimes be really good. The idea is completely different but you can like them for themselves, and they can make useful stock photography. If you still feel like you’ve much to learn, apart from this post it would be hard to tell 🙂
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Beautiful post, Meg. I think so many of us here are life long learners — whether it’s in a traditional classroom or via our “hobbies.” I feel stagnant if I’m not learning new things. Stay in motion, I say! 😀
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“But I embrace the blur.” — I can’t explain succinctly, but in my life right now, I needed to hear something like this. Thanks for this lovely post and the sentiments shared — accepting where we are and where we aspire to.
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I miss being a student too. There’s something great about having an excuse to study something in depth.
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Meg, I love this post. I miss college a lot – especially when I start to feel like I’m in a rut. But I’m striving to keep learning, even in the “non-traditional” sense!
What you wrote: “I’m inspired by so many things — especially others’ work,” is one of my favorite things about your blog. You enjoy so many things and you share them with us. Thank you!
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People who no longer want to learn are dull, dull, dull.
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You’ve really only had your DSLR for two years?? Oh I do love your pictures and am surprised at how relatively new you are to photographing with your camera! I take a lot of blurry pictures as well. I find this is especially true when I’m shooting with my 50mm lens and have my aperature too open so I can get the bokeh in the background. It’s also tough with moving objects (ahem, Elle).
Local photography club, huh? I might have to look into that. We used to have a group at work but the leaders aren’t there anymore and the others just want to look at Flickr during lunchbreak. Not my idea of actually doing and learning.
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Embrace the blur! love that attitude!
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