“Capturing the Light”
Sometimes Mother Nature just doesn’t cooperate.
Autumn in Buffalo, New York can be so beautiful. Every work day I drive down city streets lined with colorful fall foliage. There’s one section of Winspear Avenue that absolutely takes my breath away, even on cloudy days. But every day recently, it’s been rainy, cold and gloomy during my morning and evening commute, and even though I carry my little Olympus camera with me, that camera doesn’t do well in low light. And then, there’s the fact that I recently “cleaned” my windshield and didn’t do a particularly good job of it. Sure, I could stop the car and get out to take a photograph, but it’s the daily commute and I really just want to get to either work (in the morning) or back home (in the evening).
On days I’m not working, the weather’s been better, but hey, since I’m not working I don’t feel inclined to get up, dress, and drive to Winspear Avenue on my days off.
Such a dilemma.
Add in the fact that I’ve been feeling somewhat depressed recently about my photographic ability. No one seems to like my recently posted photos, and everyone else seems to be so much more talented. In fact, there’s one guy on one of my photographic sites who constantly seems to copy my photos – I’ll post a particular scene, and then shortly thereafter he’ll post his own version of that scene (often using the same types of props and staging, if it’s an indoor still-life I’ve tried to create), and his photos are 3 times better than mine. Every time.
So, if no one likes my work anyway, why bother? It’s cold, gloomy, and damp – and it’s still the pandemic. I don’t feel like going out on photo shoots. I don’t even feel like finding household objects to stage for still-life photos (heck, that guy will only copy those shots and do better at it anyway).
But then – for whatever reason, I decided to check my Pixsy site report. Pixsy tracks its members’ photos and lets the photographers know if any of those photos have been picked up and used elsewhere. This provides for some protection against copyright infringement, should any photos be used commercially.
My photos are all are posted under Creative Commons licensing, but I never paid much attention since, heck, no one was looking at them anyway, right?
“Broken”
Pixsy says otherwise. Several of my photos have, in fact, been chosen and used under Creative Commons licensing, with the proper credit and link-backs. Back in February, Wisconsin Public Radio chose my “Broken” photo! Out of the thousands of photos of broken tree branches shown on Flickr.com, WPR chose mine!
Maybe it’s time to re-think things. Just because the more professional photographers on Flickr.com and YouPic.com probably scoff at my artistic non-talent, does that mean my work is worthless? Perhaps not. Perhaps my appeal is more mundane. Perhaps, like my writing, I appeal to ordinary folks like myself. Those photos of mine that were picked up from Flickr.com then appeared mostly on blogs just like mine.
It makes me feel good.
Having reached this new height of self-love, I decided it was time to “just take the damn photos already.”
Here’s Winspear Avenue after the rain on a gloomy autumn morning on my way to work:
“Gloomy Fall in the City”
Perhaps others will enjoy that view, even if I couldn’t wait for a nice, sunny day.
And, finally, since I had the camera with me during Cody’s evening walk, I took the photo at the head of this post, as well as this photo of a willow tree near the Maryvale High School:
“Light Through the Willow”
Sometimes you just need to find a little light through the dimness.
Enjoy the upcoming weekend, folks.
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
If you expect any photo you post on-line to possibly be shared anywhere and never result in your seeing a dime for it, you won’t be disappointed! 😀
LikeLike
I’m actually ok with that. I don’t really need the headache of filing self-employment taxes. It’s the recognition I crave at this point in my life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never heard of Pixsy before. That’s an interesting service.
I like your photography. In fact, if only we had something like a Winspear Avenue here, I’d try to take a photo just like yours. But as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
LikeLike
The only way to get a proper photo on Winspear would be to wait for a sunny day, get out of the car and take a photo from the middle of the street. I’d probably get run over by someone else trying to get to work or to home. (And you’re welcome to imitate any of my photos whenever you wish, even if you’d probably do it better than me.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is awesome, Congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you. Hope all is well with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you very much……
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think about a million people have said it, but the only photographer you have to impress is yourself. Take the photos you like, share them and if people like them, they’ll let you know…or not, but if you like them enough to share, then they are good photos. I still hope to backfill the missing (now years) on Flickr, but more as a photo archive I can use than a sharing platform. I’ve gotten better results sharing photos on my blog than I ever did on Flickr.
I like the street scene, and I like the broken tree.
LikeLike
Thanks, Dan. You said exactly what a colleague told me a few days ago (he also said, “You are your own worst critic”) . He is also a newly-minted photographer , but I think you and he have a better handle on what’s important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your photos, honest don’t set store by likes or anyway of measuring popularity. You are good, today photos are great.
As for the guy who copies you, he is showing how much he likes your work by copying it. You say he is better than, well he certainly isn’t he copies you….think about it! 💜
LikeLike
Thanks, Willow. That guy’s technical skills are better than mine, but perhaps he lacks the vision for shots of his own. I tend to go for shots that are a bit unusual, rather than just pretty.
LikeLike
See you definitely out shine him 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
One: I always appreciate your photos, CM.
Two: If somebody is copying your ideas, that means you are a creative photographer. Battle won.
Three: Congratulations for sites choosing your photos for their needs!
Have a good weekend, my friend.
LikeLike
Do what makes you happy and to heck with everybody else! You’re joy will come through in your pictures and they will be noticed! Snap away!!
LikeLike
Thanks, AGMA. I can always count on you to lift me up. I intend to do just as you suggest.
LikeLike