Does Your Enthusiasm Outweigh Your Ability? (D158)

If so, you’re in good company. Company the likes of Amelia Earhart, aviatrix who stunned the world with her first flight across the Atlantic, who captivated the world with her best-selling books, and wouldn’t let anyone keep her from pursuing and achieving her dream.

Tonight I watched the movie Amelia, starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere. One of my favorite lines in the movie came from a reporter who asked “Amelia” if she realized most people were saying her enthusiasm outweighed her ability. Basically they were saying she wasn’t that great of a pilot and maybe even a little reckless. Who knows if anyone really ever asked her this question, but it’s a beautiful thought that despite ability or pilot genius, she still set world records and charmed the world with that same enthusiasm and confidence.

It’s that confidence, courage, and conviction that made her such a perfect candidate for Apple’s Think Different campaign.

Today’s shot is an homage to Amelia and her courage. I found one of my son’s toy planes to photograph and lit it with one light. That kept it shrouded in light and shadow, just like Amelia’s life and death is shrouded in mystery and unknowns.

I read the following on Wikipedia, “Amelia was an intelligent and competent pilot but hardly a brilliant aviator, whose early efforts were characterized as inadequate by more seasoned flyers.” I wonder if more seasoned photographers might say the same of me… or worse.

The beautiful thing is that it didn’t stop her. I’d love to follow in her footsteps with the same courage, conviction and enthusiasm. How about you?

Manual: Page 36—Flash Sync Mode

Images: Continued looking through Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Photography Field Guide.

Filed under Month 6: Feb 2010, photography, tasra365 challenge · Tagged with airplane, Amelia Earhart, Apple, courage, Hilary Swank, movie, Richard Gere, tasra365 challenge, Think Different Posted by Tasra Dawson on Friday, February 5, 2010 · Comments

Naomi Figueroa

YES! It does....and I hope it always does.

What I mean is, I always want to be pushing myself to grow and learn and not become stagnant. Right now, I definitely feel that my ability is nowhere close to where I want to be...but my passion keeps pushing me. And my passion has to keep outweighing the fear as well.
Passion isn't all the keeps me going, though....inspiration from wonderful people and photographers is a huge driving force. Thanks to Tasra and Jasmine Star for continuously giving back and inspiring others! It not only inspires me to be better with my photography and keep going and pushing and trying, but it inspires me to give back to others as well.
-Naomi

mistymiotto

Tasra,

I just went by your facebook to send you a quote about gratitude and I could not pass up your post on this :0) Your blogs are addicting :0) I also watched this Movie last week as well. It was a beautiful movie and very inspiring!

Anyways yes, this is so true. I have been shooting for 15 years and run a successful wedding photography business at least what I consider the definition of success to be. It truly makes me sad when I see how many "seasoned professionals" discourage instead of encourage. I read so many judgmental sarcastic comments and posts and even though they are not directed towards me I often feel sorry for the younger professionals that may actually be in their own fan base reading them looking for words of encouragement. Most of them are opinionated comments as well. Sometimes I wonder if they remember how they got started??? I am so glad that you are bringing some light on this situation.

We are all original just like our works of art and to me that's what makes it so beautiful. We have to learn to block out the negative influences in our life and embrace and be grateful for the positive ones. Sometimes we have people around us or even people that we look up to that may not deserve the pedestal we have put them on. Maybe we should all do some spring cleaning in our minds and try to surround ourselves with more positive influences and people. The true beauty of it all is ...is that we were all built with a light switch and at any time we can choose to shut any of it off and out. This does not mean I am saying to build a wall or learn to have thick skin because then you end up not letting anything in and miss out on all the good things life has to offer as well. It just means to think like a water filter and know what to let in and what to let pass right through.

Tasra you are an amazing example to others especially women. Your honesty and transparency is unmatched by anyone else I have ever met in this business. Tasra today I want you to know that you are my Hero!
God Bless, Misty Miotto

ps. Some quotes to live by for any fellow artists that may be feeling a little inadequate :0)

-Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.
Gustave Flaubert

-Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Scott Adams

-Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.
Henry Ward Beecher

-Every artist was first an amateur.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kyle Lauritzen

Great post and reminder, Tasra! After reading this and Scott Bourne's post on photographer musicians (I am one) (http://photofocus.com/2010/02/06/photographymus...), I was reminded of something I used to tell people about playing the piano. I'm from a small town and was pretty well-known for my piano abilities. I didn't understand why people wouldn't want to play the piano around me because they felt inadequate. I loved hearing someone play who played because they wanted to, whether they were ready for their own concert or had yet to master chop-sticks. I told them they should play away and not care about who is watching or what people may think about it... play if you want to and enjoy every minute of it.

I needed to be reminded of this idea... The photographers who I look to for inspiration are leagues ahead of where I am and sometimes I get frustrated that I am so far behind, even though I try. Thanks for passing on the inspiration!