Wednesday, June 8, 2011

People vs Tools


What the Duck by Aaron Johnson
 I think it's amazing how ignorance plays such a big role with a certain percentage of folks when it comes to photography or art for that matter. What's my gripe today? It's actually an every so often gripe. It's the one when people tell me, "You must have a really nice camera (or phone)," when they are drawn to a photo I've taken. In other words, the camera shot the photo; not me. If you see nice penmanship, do you tell that person that they must have a really nice pen? Or if you read an excellent book, do you tell the author that they must've had a really nice computer or typewriter?? No. All of these objects are the tools or devices used by the navigator. My camera, whether it's my cell phone camera, my Nikon or someone else's camera, is a tool, people! Just like my paintbrush; it's a tool. The brush doesn't paint the canvas on it's own.

I've handed my "really nice" camera over to people to take photos of their own. Rarely is the final result a well framed shot. A photo requires the ability to scan an area that's void of structures blocking the overall view or coming out of people's heads within a matter of mili seconds. When photographing people, you need to make sure the shot isn't backlit (light hitting from behind) or their faces will be dark. This only works when it's an intentional silhouette scene. When photographing babies, children, pets or plants, the navigator (photographer) needs to get low to the ground. I'm definitely not afraid to lay on my stomach in order to get the right angle.

I'm just saying that there is quite a bit of insight that comes with snapping photos; at least for me. And that although it may have taken me less than a second to snap, a part of me that clicked with nature or the person in the photo has been preserved forever. I will say, however, that I don't use my cameras to their full potential. I point and shoot. I prefer natural light so I rarely shoot with flash.
Next time you see someone with a "really nice" camera, don't assume they have "really nice" photos. But hey.... they may just surprise you!

Ideals

We all have our ideals... Our limits. Sometimes we're overachievers and sometimes we drink too much and settle. LoL Ok ok.... The latter only happened in my younger, "I don't care" days.

Growing up, I knew that I wanted a lot more out of life. I wanted to be "normal". But was was normal? To me, it was being a part of the middle class someday. I grew up as an only child to a single mother in the projects without a phone, car, cable or video games. Once I was aware of my economically challenged status, I vowed to do tons better financially, materialistically and educationally before my future off-spring were even a sparkle in my eye. I was so embarrassed to be near my mom when she'd pull out her assortment of food stamps that I'd wait for her outside. I'd hang my head when she'd smile and add that she'd rented a grocery cart to haul the groceries home. I grew up submerged in gang violence, drugs, rape and molestation. I grew up being mocked by surrounding neighborhood rats for being in band and eventually for having a job. Friday night football games became nights of terror due to the weekly drive-by; which led to having to spend the night elsewhere (I was in marching band = Friday night games).

I think that belonging to an organization like band is what kept my head above water. It kept me away from home for long periods of time. It forced me to keep my grades above average if I wanted to travel or participate. Side note: my biggest mistake was the choice I made in my instrument. I say it was a mistake because I had to haul it home with me on a daily basis which meant 3+ miles if I walked one-way. It weighed a lot and drew a lot of attention. Luckily, I had some of my friends' parents that gave me rides to school during marching season since we had to out on the field by 6:30 am. The not-so-lucky parts were hearing the same parents demeaning comments about me living in the projects. That if I needed a ride, I'd have to walk the mile to their home. Not all parents were this way, though. A couple rarely judged nor belittled me. It wasn't until they got to know me, that their judgement in me ceased. On one occassion I'd asked a fellow band geek if he'd give me a ride home. He did a couple of times but eventually would run and hide when he saw me coming so that I wouldn't have a chance to ask him for a ride home. lol True story. Eventually I cornered him and said that he didn't have to run and hide. That I wouldn't be asking him for rides anymore. I really should've quit band after elementary school with all the hassles I put other people through to give me a hand out in rides. Maybe in my next life time. ;)
Anyhow, the point in all of this is that I never wanted my child to be ridiculed for wearing Pro-Wings or to be frowned on due to being a kid from the projects. I wanted to raise a child who was sympathetic to those in need. It's not the child's fault for the life that was set before them. Kids can be cruel. Adults can be cruel. I chose to teach and educate my child about life at an early age. I've been told that I speak to my Mini Me as if he were an adult. I don't mind because he's aware of his surroundings. He's aware of what's to come. He carries knowledge with him. He walked into kindergarten knowing he should come to me immediately if he was touched inappropriately. That a threat by anyone meant nothing to what I or his dad would do to that person (adult or child). He hasn't yet reached puberty but he knows what changes are coming for both boys and girls. He knows that he has the power to stop the teasing. I used to physically beat up boys for being bullies to myself or others. My Mini Me is more sensitive than I was. However, he's picked up a smart mouth a whole lot quicker than I had by his age. I learned that trait way passed my high school years. *sigh*
The things I could've come back with when a certain middle school female sports all-star ridiculed my shoes, my attire... My being. I didn't have a daddy buying me brand new Nikes every week. Heck! I didn't even know what Nikes were before she glorified them. I've never owned a pair because they remind me of who they represent. Bitter? Not exactly. I learned who's example not to follow. And I just have a great memory.

I am who I am because of where I came from. I parent how I parent because of what I experienced. I have what I have because I didn't have much. I evolve and evolve because I want more out of life. I expose my Mini Me to life from all angles because I was under-exposed (ignorant). It's funny, but By watching "Seventh Heaven", I learned that it was ok to hand a child knowledge.

Although I've reached the ideals I'd craved as a child, I still want more. I'm too restless to be stagnant. My 1st marriage was idealistic, at first. He was a supervisor for a great defense company. He was a weekend warrior; which meant primo suprimo benefits. He knew how to cook and was very clean and well taken care of. So what happened? Well, I wasn't the same little girl he married. I evolved and he remained the same. My goals changed and his remained the same. Prior to meeting me, he'd traveled the world. I feel that I still haven't and have remained restless. The awesome and most amazing thing about this marriage is that we had my Mini Me and I learned a heck of a lot about myself and what I need and want. Obviously, the spark has to be there. If it's not, then no matter how pretty the relationship looks, it's just not going to work. Even if the spark is there, if there are too many "buts" in the relationship, it's just bound to fail. Although, I'm "happily" divorced, my ex is my family. He's still the one I can count on or call on if I truly need something and vice versa. The good thing is that we have remained friends, for lack of a better term. He can still call me to ask me how to defragment his computer and I can call to borrow the camping table. ;)