Of motivation and hats

The light of my life and
the reason for most important hat I wear.

I seem to have misplaced my blogging motivation. Perhaps pursuing my interest in photography and reviving my love of kickboxing finally toppled my already precarious stack of hats. (As mentioned in my blog citing reasons for why I am never bored.) Or maybe it's because I feel like I need to post something of substance every time I come here to write a blog. I think it's a little of both.

Does a blog post have to be long or detailed to have substance? I have a tendency to over-do projects, making them needlessly complicated. It's time to explore removing one of my mental barriers by postulating that quantity does not equal quality. Perhaps it's time to explore ways to share some of my many ideas in a briefer format.

Trying to find even an extra 10 minutes to kickbox without cutting back on something else.... Well, that I haven't figured out yet. Give me time.

While I'm working on re-organizing my hat closet, please help me out a bit. What topics that I have touched on have struck a chord? Is there a subject that you would like to learn about in more detail? Please post a comment. Knowing that someone out there is listening is a great motivator.

Photography workshop: A personal interest benefits home and work

As mentioned in a previous post, I am taking an online photography workshop. I'm surprising myself by actually making noticeable progress. The most recent revelations came via a Photosanity Q&A webinar—where I psyched myself up to actually ask my most pressing plebe photographer questions—and a lesson on "Making the Most of the Light You Have." Our instructor featured my photo below in her post today on "Week 4 assignment highlights."

I have been wanting to take a photography class since shortly after my son was born. I just never had the time or funds. I also worried that my non-DSLR camera would be a handicap to learning. Would a photography instructor take me seriously and be able to give pointers for my super-zoom camera?



Photosanity works for me on several levels. It is online. I now set aside Tuesday evenings, after my son is in bed, to view lessons (pre-recorded slideshows with audio) and work on the photo editing and upload portions of my assignments. Feedback from our instructor, Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick, and our local mentor, Alison Eden, is constructive and addresses my (likely overly-picky) concerns about the particular photo.



Turning the tables on Mommy.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Photosanity is geared toward busy, often scattered, parents. It's okay, even encouraged, that you whip out your camera phone and take an imperfect picture (see example at right). The important part is to capture the moment. I'm really enjoying my photo-a-day project featuring my son. The workshop has given me permission to take that grainy photo now and use it as a learning experience that I can treasure as I progress toward taking better photos.



I must sound like a walking advertisement. I actually approached the workshop with a bit of skepticism, but the price was right. Now the class has won me over. Despite sometimes sketchy access to certain features of the class Facebook group, due to my own time limitations, I am satisfied with the online support I receive. It really helps that the instructor and mentor are also busy moms. They understand that my son comes first. Rather than distracting from time with him, Photosanity has fostered my awareness of the little moments. Capturing one of those moments in a photo is priceless!





How does this fit into my usual blog topics and writing interests? I look forward to applying my new skill to my next public health web or newsletter photography project. It is always exciting when I get to bring a personal interest to bear at my work. I need to slow down more often and remember that taking a little time to follow one of my dreams helps feed my effectiveness in other roles. Writing deserves more notice than being relegated to the lowest slot in my busy schedule.

Photography workshop: My current distraction

Why does my life have to be so packed and interesting? (Rhetorical question!) If it weren't, I might actually get more writing done. I still can't imagine ever being bored.



My current distraction is an online photography workshop called Photosanity. I learned about Photosanity via a discount site, and I was hooked when I learned that it is geared toward helping parents take better photos of their children and organize and share these pictures. I am currently on the third week (new lessons are posted each Tuesday), and I have already learned some great tips and gathered new photography resources.

• Lesson 1 - Start a photo-a-day project
• Lesson 2 - What to look for to get the best photos
• Lesson 3 - Getting your children to cooperate

I have taken a lot of photos of my son since his birth nearly two years ago, but I am taking even more with this class as inspiration. I am getting better at selecting photos, though I still hate to permanantly delete any of them. These are a couple of my favorites:



Toddler parking: Proud of his new truck.



Pretty, Mommy! Showing off a blade of grass.

Struggling with: Depth of field

Currently reading: My camera's user manual.

Special events: My 37th birthday, on February 19, will be spent with my family at Bright Star Ranch.

Please share your favorite photo-taking tips and resources. I have a long way to go with my photography and so many special moments to capture with my son.