Another peaceful morning on the Covered Porch. I sip coffee while the pre-dawn light morphs into the golden hour. It's a quiet moment of "me time" as I sit & reflect on the things that are important in life...
I was bidding yesterday on a new (to me - it was built in 1962) film camera. I was excited at the prospect of taking my photography to the next level, only to have lost the bid - it closed at just under twice my budget.
But it gives me pause to realize that I don't need a new camera to continue my journey, but rather to change my approach. Like an excited little kid, I grab my camera and dive head-long into a new project. Instead, all the blogs I read tell me to slow down, to think about what I want my final photo to look like, and work the process backwards.
It dawns on me that my photography is like my relationships. They need to be nurtured in a thoughtful way. I recently read that there are two important features to really communicating in a relationship. We all know the requirement for people to communicate, to ask the question "What is it you would have me understand ?". This is key to listening to the other person, rather than simply parroting back your own feelings.
The second part is more important, the part we most often miss. Your partner may say to you that she wants you to be more "romantic". I don't have the faintest idea what that means ! Is it soft music & candlelight ? Is it getaway weekends for two ? Rather than trying to divine your partner's intent on your own, ask the second question: "And how would that look to you ?". The results are often surprising.
I'm fortunate to share my life with the woman of my dreams. Although we don't always communicate very well, we try very hard to listen to each other, for each others sake. I may never own the medium format camera of my dreams, but I am also learning to be very happy with what I have - a trusty camera that suits my needs, and the love of a good woman to share my days with.
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