Sunday, November 3, 2013

Why Not?


Yesterday was beautiful, bright blue skies, warm temps, and hardly any wind, so we decided we should take advantage of this gift and go out in the kayaks at least one more time before old man winter shows up for good.

Mr. Tide was the driver, and I was a happy passenger with my camera as we, or I should say he, paddled all around.  Part way out, the skies changed and it actually rained a bit, but our spirits weren't dampened since the changing leaves were so lovely, especially when reflected in the water and against the dark, ominous sky!




Last night our daughter stopped by for dinner and a movie, and we ended up watching a documentary called Gotta Dance.  It was about a group of seniors who became a dance team for the NJ Nets NBA team.

In the movie, the team members ranged from an elementary school teacher to a woman who owned a small dance studio, and everything in between.  It was great to see these people, some of whom were in their 80s, take on the challenge and change their lives in the process.  Lots of them felt like they had reached an age where they weren't getting any younger, so why not do whatever they wanted, and because they all loved to dance, it seemed like a perfect fit!

It served as a great reminder that no matter what age you are, you can still do whatever you want, even if it may seem silly to everyone around you.




I often get asked why I don't post more SOOC (straight out of camera) shots, why I feel the need to "mess" with my photos.  It seems that a lot of people out there think that photos should be just that, perfect realistic images of whatever you are taking a picture of, and I get that, but that's not me.

I enjoy taking something that is photo realistic and then turning it into whatever I want, making it into something I thought it could or should be.  For me, that is the fun of photography, the ability to change things, to mold them into whatever I want.




In this post I have left all but the last image at the bottom as they were SOOC, except for cropping.  And although I feel like it's so very important to take good images, and not think to yourself...oh I can fix that in post processing, I still love seeing an image and imagining what I can "do" with it!

I guess it's like life, you need a good foundation to start from, but then the possibilities are endless if you want them to be.



 Original Image 

As the clouds moved in yesterday I could have been bummed and thought, "let's just head back in, these shots will be too dark and I will need to crank my ISO up so high that everything will be a grainy mess."  Instead I cranked up the ISO and hoped for the best.  I mean, how often do we get to go out in the kayaks in early November...so why not at least try?!



Image after having a little fun with it!


Maybe that's why movies, videos, song, and stories about people saying "why not" and doing something they weren't sure about but do anyway are so very inspiring and popular.  So, the next time you think...I'm too old, too dumb, too whatever...just say WHY NOT and go for it!

“The first step to expanding your reality is to discard the tendency to exclude things from possibility.”
― E.E. Cummings

11 comments:

  1. Your photos are always lovely, though of the last two photos of the heron in flight, I like the original one best.

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  2. Your photos are just gorgeous! Beautiful trees and colors. I am your newest follower.

    Judy

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  3. I wish I could turn my photos into something amazing like you do Kat. I would love to learn how to edit a photo well. Sometimes SOOC is fine, but if they can be improved through editing...the why not? :))))))))))
    These are beautiful captures Kat!
    hugs from here...

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  4. I love the metaphors here, Kat...so true. Frankly, I think it takes a special talent and creativity to "mess" with photos, and you have it! All of your pictures are fabulous.

    A last trip out on the kayaks sounds great. We didn't go out once this summer...not that I relish the usual attack of the swans when we do! I will miss those colorful reflections on the water now that the leaves are changing. But they're changing here, too, and tomorrow I'll have plenty to rake on those flower beds that I thought I was too old to make this summer! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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  5. I always feel sorry for people who say, "I can't" all the time. How can they know if they don't try? Much better to try and to fail than it is to be ruled by convention and caution in one's life.

    (You're really brave to take your camera along on a kayak, BTW.)

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  6. Yet another gorgeous Blue Heron photo.

    Too bad about the eye problems and not being able to go to the art event.

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  7. I love your photos, straight out of the camera or a little spruced up. Always gorgeous!
    xo

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  8. Hey Kat - I love your vision and creativity! Your photos are more than photos......they are special artwork. Hope you'll keep sharing them with us.

    Just got back from Sweden and Denmark, where 95% of the foliage is gone. Glad it is still so colorful and beautiful here at home. Cheers, L

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  9. I love the image of the blue heron after a little Kat magic and the subtle beauty of the leaves sailing on the Autumn waters. How wonderful that you got to go out on the kayaks and enjoy the colours of the changing season. I am so eager to get back out on the water but I may have to wait until the new year in warmer climes....but then again maybe you've given me the inspiration to go for it this weekend!
    Paul x

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  10. Beautiful photos, Kat...fall looks so pretty there...

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  11. Kat, I for one adore how you "mess" with your images! Such a perfect example you showed to illustrate it too. And I am nodding my head at that e.e.cummings quote! xo

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