“We all remain who we are. But on the way to healing or liberation we have to do what the Romans called agere contra: we have to act against the grain of our natural compulsions. This requires clear decisions. Because it does not happen by itself, it is in a way “unnatural” or “supernatural” . . . (we) simply have to cut loose now and then, and in the process . . . make mistakes.”
— Richard Rohr
I have read several posts over the past 3-4 months about making mistakes and I know that’s not a mistake. A couple days ago I headed to Blendon Woods Park in pursuit of a colorful sunset with gorgeous clouds almost like the clouds Jeff Lynch found in Texas or the clouds Sabrina found in Afica. However, I was greeted with a cloudless sky, high humidity and a squadron of mosquitos with full intent on sucking me dry. I gave it a try and shot about 50 frames, of mistakes.
A few days ago I posted an image of a door and window against a bright blue wall (with all it’s mistakes) and asked for input. And, I got the responses I needed. Thanks to all of you. I enjoy my mistakes. Actually some of them turn out pretty nice. Each time I look at my images in Lightroom I see the little things I can do next time to improve.
14 Comments
Ray K
Sorry Monte but the only way something can be a mistake is thru repetition other wise it is a learning step. They are steps and revelations not mistakes.
Monte Stevens
As a noun the word mistake is defined as “an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.” I agree the word mistake has a negative tone to it but at this time in my life those mistakes, or poor choices are lessons for me to move forward. When I wallow in regret over those learned lessons or choices is when I’m in a bad place. I enjoy making those mistakes or lessons in my photography. And, ya know what, every once in a while I get one that looks pretty darn good. 🙂 Thanks, Ray for you input and your words of wisdom, they are essential for me. Hope you have a super weekend!
Bob Dein
Calling your efforts mistakes means that you are judging yourself and your work. That’s giving the negative Boo Bird inside your mind WAY too much power. You don’t have to ask how I know.
Monte Stevens
I agree using the word mistake does have a negative tone to it. It’s been ingrained in our culture and it is a slow process to eliminate it from our vocabulary. I hope I use it as a positive word, where they are lessons learned by assessing the choices I make whether in life or photography, the experiments that didn’t work such as the 50 shots I mentioned. And, no I won’t ask you how you came to know this or your connection with the Boo Bird. 🙂 Thanks, Bob for stopping by and leaving your comment. Please come again.
Ove
I feel like I’m late to the party, I read your blue façade post first today. I agree in that we all learn from our mistakes. The answer to what is a mistake, however, can in my opinion only be answered by ourselves. I wouldn’t be able to tell if you made a mistake. How could I? I have no clue what your intent was while capturing this image. You asked about the story, if we see any in it. We all do, but probably not the same. You see a story too, and if that corresponds to what you felt and intended to tell, than I guess no mistake was made. I think this is what we all need better coaching in, to understand and tell what we see and experience. In the everyday world, quite a few need psychoanalysts for this. The (somewhat) similar role in the art world, the critic, would never get consulted in this matter. For reasons. It’s your story and your mistakes.
Did I have too much wine now? 🙂
Monte Stevens
And, very well said, Ove. Yes, our images are our stories and our mistakes or choices. I’m glad you dropped in and shared with us, it is needed.
Ove
To the image in this post, I simply love it. This contains much from the time while I grow up, and constitutes also what I look forward too in the future. The light is great, exactly how I would like it to be if I was seated in one of these rocking chairs. The tone too. Wonderful work, Monte.
pj finn
The only ‘mistake’ is to be afraid to make one.
Monte Stevens
Yes. As Ray says we need all the lessons we can get.
QPB (Mary Ann)
Agreed on the mistake conversation. I posted a photo once on a forum and had intentionally cast a blue hue in to it. I had someone critique to ad nauseum because of this. Lol, I liked it that way and wasn’t concerned about the white balance–it was purposeful, no mistake.
Aside from the conversation, I’m not sure what it is about this photo, but I find it to have a very comforting feel to it. Nice work.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Mary Ann. And I hope the feeling this image offers you is not nausea. Enjoy you day!
Alan M. Collopy
Monte,
I love the feel of this image. The light and clarity is awesome.
To me, it’s a very nice mistake, haha.
Alan
Eric Easley
I don’t have much to say on the mistakes part, except that this photo is definitely not one. I love this shot, especially the tone. It feels solemn, and celebratory, and sad, all at the same time, as it makes me wonder who sits there in those chairs? What do they think? Where are they? Each question brings a different emotion and your photo seems to capture all of that
Monte Stevens
So, it speaks of a story and another one and another one. Hopefully a photograph, or a painting tells multiple stories. I love it when emotions rise to the surface.