Tag: photography

Alright but not stellar

Mia8 Comments
photo collage
Made in Canva

They say don’t compare yourself to others but sometimes it just comes into your mind. Other people seem to succeed in things they do much better than yourself. You feel you’re a failure compared to others. They do all these stellar things and you’re just there feeling blue because you can’t get that Wow- feeling. It can be anything, a job you do, social skills, raising your kids and so on. The only comfort you get is trying to appreciate what you have.

I feel like the way I described above. I think I’m alright but not stellar. I should believe in myself more because who else will? No one is great when they start things. It takes a lot of practice. In some things, I have years of experiences. Like photography. It’s probably 20 years but I still don’t see if I’ve improved in it. All those educations I’ve been in and I still don’t see it? Maybe I’m just a hobbyist and I thought my photos were good enough. It’s only when someone tells me they’re good. Or at least alright. I always have a doubt what people really think. I have had comments my photos are nothing special. One was a pro of all people. Maybe it has affected me a little but that’s just one opinion. People seem to like them and that’s what matters. I haven’t got a job because my photos but I’m not planning to be a pro anymore anyway. Maybe 3 years ago but now my priorities have changed. Also because I don’t have driver’s license which seems to be so important in that profession.

I have always been a creative person. At least in my own mind. But then I see other peoples stellar work and it makes me feel so small. They’re really talented and it feels I’m not. You should never forget they were novices once too and probably felt the same way. But they didn’t give up. I haven’t given up because if I had, I would have changed my mind about what I wanted to do. I’ve stuck to the idea I would do something creative. It would be great if I would earn money from it. An office job is not for me or any other uncreative things. That’s why web design and graphic design is suitable for me. There you can express yourself and at the same time help others. The problem is I’m not very good at giving advice to people. I’m the one who needs advice. I can only tell what I think of things or what I’ve experienced in life. I can find out things for other people but I don’t know how to give advice from memory. I can’t tell you how to get more followers to your blog or how to promote your business. Those are things I want to know. I really dislike the words standing out. Isn’t it enough to be the way I am? OK, maybe I’m standing out for not knowing how to advise people. That’s not really something to brag about, is it?

One thing I do know I’m stellar at is writing fiction. Maybe it sounds a bit arrogant to think so but if you don’t like what you write yourself, how will others think so? I only write it for fun but I’m still satisfied with my writing. I also write them in English so that has also impressed people. I’ve written them so long I don’t think I could write one in Finnish or Swedish. Besides, in English, the stories sound so much better. I wish I could be stellar in other things I do the way I feel in writing. I guess I just done it so much longer (since I could write) so it feels more natural to me. Life is a learning process and you’re never finished. Comparing yourself to others will only make you feel worse. Be who you are and be stellar in what you do best.

Captivating images

MiaLeave a comment
misty
©Mia Salminen

I’m amazed how many great photographers there are in the world. All those captivating images make me feel a little jealous. It’s quite difficult for me to judge my own images. It feels like I’m not as good as I think I am. At least when it comes to making money off it. I thought I would have become a pro but then I realised I didn’t like taking photos that much. I still take them but not as much as before. At least not with my camera. If I took photos for a living, it would take all the fun out of it. It’s much more fun now that I don’t necessarily need to get better. There’s less pressure because I can photograph when I feel like it. A lot of people make it for a living so the competition is hard. Having photography as a hobby is much better because then you don’t need to impress anyone. It feels more relaxing to post them online too.

It’s looking more likely that I would start my own business. I’m studying about that at the moment. I thought about adding photography to my services. But it can cause problems since I don’t have driver’s license and I also don’t photograph portraits. But then again, you don’t really need those things to take photos. There’s a lot of different things to photograph. I was thinking more about taking event photos or photos of people’s workplaces. I don’t know if people want that service from me since my business would be about web design. But at least photography would make me stand out. I don’t even know why I even want to be in the web design business. It’s the same like with photography, the competition. But what else could I do? It’s rather that or a slave of well-fare.

Whatever I do, photography will always be part of me. You learn to look at the world in a different way. I have moments when I see something outside but I don’t have a camera with me. I don’t have a mobile with a good one and the same with my tablet. It’s a bummer but I don’t cry about it. Some situation you just can’t capture. You almost need to take your camera everywhere you go. All these smartphone cameras are only for online photos. I prefer a real camera anyway. I only have Instagram because of the tablet. It takes forever to post anything from it so I don’t do it very often. I can’t stand touch screens. I rather post photos from the computer. It’s easier and a little less irritating.

If any of you would like to see my photos (or maybe you already have) you can see them in the links.

GuruShots
500px
MiaPhotolio

Some of them can be the same but you get a general idea. I’ve had a comment from someone once that they could take photos like mine. Sure, go ahead. It’s so easy, some think. Besides, it’s the thought that counts. So what if anyone could have taken it. Photos don’t need to look perfect. There’s always someone who finds your photos captivating. They don’t even need to be focused. You only need to use your imagination and find the beauty in it. If people only see photos as one than they don’t get the idea of photography at all.

My worst critic is me

Mia3 Comments

water drops

Have you ever thought you can’t do something no matter how hard you try? When things don’t go the way you plan it, you give up. No? Then it’s just me then. I’m my worst critic. My mother used to say I can do it but I’m haven’t been that confident. I know I can do things if I put my mind to it but I’m too critical of myself. Maybe I’m a bit of a perfectionist. You don’t see that in my daily life though. My flat is a mess. It’s more in my mind. Everything doesn’t need to be perfect. Except for paintings on the wall. A crooked picture is really disturbing.

Sometimes when I write fan fiction I feel satisfied with my work. But other people don’t give any criticism so I don’t know how to get better. I get likes and all that but I never get any real feedback. Not even any reactions. If I read my stories as another person, I would have a lot to say about the stories. People never think the same I do. I shouldn’t compare myself with other fan fiction writers but they seem to get more comments than I do. I wouldn’t even say they’re better at it. It depends on what you write about and who. I still will write and post my stories despite that. When I read my old stories, I do see I’ve got better. That’s what matters the most, that you see it yourself. Other people don’t need to tell me. Writing is probably the only thing I’m not critical of myself.

The same goes with photography. I hardly get any deep analysis online. A like or two but hardly any comments. Am I suppose to notice it myself if I got better? It makes me think if my photography is even any good or are they the same as any other. I should be satisfied with what I think about my skills and not about what other think. Once I got feedback but the person wasn’t even an expert on photography. They said they could have taken a photo like that. But it does take out the excitement out of photography when you hear a negative comment like that. I wanted to become a pro but now my thoughts have changed so I’m less critical of myself in that field. I’m torturing myself sometimes that I can’t get the photo I want. I’m the worst critic and I’m never satisfied with the outcome. If someone likes a photo, it’s only then I’m happy.

Once you get that “I can’t do it” you start to think you can’t. How would you know if you don’t try it? What I’ve learned through the years is when you fail, you try again. If that doesn’t work, try something else. Being critical of yourself helps you trying harder to get better at what you do. You’re never ready and learning new things keeps life interesting.

Tallenna

Tallenna