I sold a small print. This was a first for me, and it’s what encouraged me to start this website. I had been planning to start offering my work for sale for quite some time, but I’m slow to move on things that take planning and actual work.
Yes, doing photography is work. It’s similar to music. So many think it’s all good fun, and I can’t deny that it frequently is, but it’s also work and takes not only time but energy and quite a bit of money to get things done.
Then there are those who say, “Well, I could do that!” True? Can anyone do it? Perhaps so. But not everyone does, so the “I could do that!” comment is just a comment and nothing more. It might make some of us feel as if our efforts are diminished, but if one takes a step back, observes the person who made the remark, and sees whether or not that individual did anything to show he or she could “do that” it’s not such a big deal. Or maybe it is, but it’s just best to choose to ignore it.
Now to that sale. As I wrote, it was just a small print. But getting that print just right was important to me. The color can be a tricky issue: the computer screen is back lit and colors look very vibrant. Getting that on a print can be a challenge. Then there’s color: was the Bird of Paradise blue? Purple? Bluish purple? Memory can play tricks on a person.I ended up checking in with my daughter, who was with me when I made the shot. She confirmed my belief that it was blue. (Thanks, Kelsey!)
Recently, in fact, I downloaded images I had just made on a walk and saw a rose I was just certain was purple. I had to manipulate things to get the color corrected, and was finally satisfied.
Then I decided it would be best to return to the rose and verify what I remembered since the image was pretty darn pink when I downloaded it. So much for my memory! The crazy thing was pink after all.
And then there’s the “does it matter?” Is a photograph truth? Is truth what was really there, or is truth what my memory tells me? If it isn’t truth is it a lie?
I think I’ll save that discussion for another day. If I ever bring it up again, that is. I think it’s been talked about an awful lot already and I’d rather go on a walk with my camera.
