GAAAH!!! THESE BEAUTIFUL IMAGES FROM THE SHOOT & SHARE CONTEST
I just recently entered this contest, as did many of my other photographer friends. We could each enter 40 images into many different categories. People from all over the world have entered and just the other week they let us vote. We don’t know the photographer behind the photo, but can only see the image which is the BEST WAY TO GO. From like 9:30a.m. to 1:00p.m. I had to finally cut myself off the day voting began. I was on and off voting- taking lunch breaks, bathroom breaks, stretch breaks, lol. I then realized we had until March to vote (sigh of relief).
I realized something- I was hooked. Not so much on voting (well kinda) but on seeing the BEAUTIFUL images. I sometimes get so consumed in my work that I don’t embrace others but in embracing other’s work I feel like there are some rules live by :
Be Inspired- Not Envious
Be Inspired- Not A Copycat
These are things I tell myself because, I’ll flat out admit it, I’ve been there. I’ve copied, I’ve been jealous and ya know what? It didn’t do me any good. The times I have tried to edit like someone else….I ended up coming back to how I like to edit and thats great!!! It means I’m beginning to find my style!! I think I’m starting to discover my voice in this industry and its awesome!
There are so many AMAZINGLY, SKILLED photographers around me I’m seriously in awww of their work. I have to remember something- we are all at different places in our journey as artists. You can’t compare your beginning with someone else’s middle. Being jealous of someone’s work only does damage to who you are as a person, and an artist. God gave SOOOO many of us gifts in art/photography so I say why not embrace it? Being someone’s cheerleader is a much better feeling then comparison.
So to all of these ROCK’N photographers in this contest- I’m blown away. Whether I am staring at the computer for five minutes voting, or three hours, I want to run, grab my camera, and shoot!!! You guys inspire me. Thank you!!!
