Say Cheese!
And Hope It's Right the First Time
One of my favorite things about creating art is that there are no limits. If you want purple horses with three heads, you can make it happen and there will be people who think it's brilliant.
When I'm brainstorming my next painting, I often go out and take lots of photographs to use for reference because quite honestly, nature creates things I could never dream of.
And even though some of the photos are actually quite good on their own, there always seems to be something, a rouge limb, power line, or oddly placed cloud, blocking that perfect sunset shot.
Or if I'm traveling and see a breathtaking scene, the sky or lighting may not be just right, but I snap the shot anyway and paint the sky the way I want it later.
Sometimes you simply can't physically get to the right spot, or be there at the right time, or catch a break with the weather or lighting, but as long as you can paint, you can turn any image into whatever you want it to be.
I often wish life was more like that.
But life is life a photograph.
It takes a lot of planning, dedication, and a fair bit of luck to get that "perfect shot". And even then there's likely to be something you wish you could change.
But that doesn't mean you can't stack the odds in your favor. Those who take photographs professionally often go to some of the most remote locations in the world, deal with grueling conditions, and wait around for hours or days for the light to be just right, all in the hopes of getting that one great shot.
When there's something you really want in life, do you put in that level of effort, or do you just "snap the shot" with the thought that you'll fix it later?
How do you think the outcome would change if you really thought out a good strategy, made a solid plan, and executed it with bulldog tenacity?
As an artist, I've grown used to creating my own reality, on the canvas at least.
So when I have to live by life's rules, it can sometimes be a hard pill to swallow.
But I've gone after goals both ways and can tell you that the photographer's way will yield far better results every time when it comes to the game of life.
When you let the chips fall where they may, they usually fall wrong.
So next time there's a goal you want to achieve or a prize you're going after, mimic a pro photographer and strategize, plan, and execute.
Your results will be more predictable, your efforts will be more focused, and who knows, you may just end up creating that "perfect shot"!
Want to know more? Follow me on Facebook @ArtByKimHight for fun facts, daily celebrations, and inspiration.
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