When your passion is crap.
Passion. We’re told we need it. To go out and find it. To discover your passion is to discover what will bring you happiness and joy and make it rain puppy dogs and lollipops. Hell, students are now encouraged to take a “gap year” between high school and college to find theirs (I’m sure you can guess that I think this is complete and utter bullshit. Go to school. Get a job.)
But what about when passion isn’t enough? Just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t mean you’re especially good at it. Bravo to those that put their whole selves into drawing or calligraphy or macrame because they believe it’s their calling, I truly believe there’s benefit to enjoying and finding value in whatever you’re doing, but there comes a time when you just have to come to terms with being awful.
Case in point? My photography.
I love taking photography classes; listening to the professor explain concepts, critiquing and being critiqued, discovering great photos and the meaning behind them. I adore fiddling with my camera (Maybe my problem is that I’m more of a techy than a photographer?) and making the connection between this setting and that and how my photos change.
But most the of the time, my photos look like these.
Oh, yeah. Dirt.
Shadows. Or something.
Perspective. And a dirty river.
Oh look, my car. (Is it just me, or are these getting progressively worse?)
A half-dead, blurry tree. Wonder of nature, right there.
I call this one “origami in a dark room with no flash.”
Yeah. I’m bad. And it’s an expensive hobby to be passionate about and bad at. Are you terrible at anything you love to do? Do you fake it until you make it or do you laugh and do it anyway?
crazyassmomma
Twitter: crazyassmomma
im pretty sure ive never really found anything to BE passionate about. maybe reading. but i dont think that counts.
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
I kind of feel like I’m scrambling for a passion, too. I mean, I enjoy my work and my blogging and photography, but I wouldn’t call any of those things my passion, because I probably will up and quit them for something new at some point.
crazyassmomma
Twitter: crazyassmomma
i hate my job.
i cant stick with blogging.
and while i like taking pictures, a photographer i am not, nor will i ever be.
maybe im passionate about sarcasm & profanity? does that work???
Meagan
Twitter: SarafinaKitchen
Even if you have a strong passion for something (for me, cooking), it comes and goes. There are days when the last place I want to be is my kitchen. Well, except long enough to grab the Chinese takeout menu. :-p
Meagan´s last awesome blog post…Salsa Roja
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
I think that’s why I’ve stuck with blogging for so long – the feeling comes and goes, and when it goes, so do I. But I always come back!
Nikki
Photography and I have a very similar relationship. One thing I realized: just because you are an artist in some areas, does not mean you are an artist in all areas. haha
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
It would be nice to find that I have that magic touch somewhere other than the marketing department.
Adrienne
Twitter: adangross
Just keep at it. Look around to see what you like of others’ photography and ask yourself WHY you like it. Then keep at it some more keeping in mind WHAT you like, but without imitating. (Inspiration =/= imitation) Then shoot some more.
I’ve recently struggled with this and I found the key was to stop trying so hard and just SHOOT. Freshen up on the basics. If you shoot a lot, there will likely be some gems admist the crap. Get a crappier camera. Practice with low-fi. Practice with film where you HAVE to make every shot count for awhile. Don’t shoot how you think you’re supposed to shoot. And remember that some people are actually skilled photo EDITORS and crappy photographers so don’t judge yourself by them. (TRUTH.)
Adrienne´s last awesome blog post…Snow Day.
crazyassmomma
Twitter: crazyassmomma
“And remember that some people are actually skilled photo EDITORS and crappy photographers”
OMG! YES!!!!!
ever looked at youarenotaphotographer.com???
a pro photog turned me on to that site. holy hell.
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
I don’t have a critical enough eye to know why I like something – I just do.
The photography class I’m in now has been heavily focused on editing photos, and I’ve pretty much ignored it all. I’m there to learn how to use my camera, not my computer.
Tina
Twitter: nerdbliss
I think you need to take a lot – I mean a ton – more pictures before you can say you are “bad at photography.” Hardly anyone is a natural at anything. It’s hard when you’re smart and a quick study to come to terms with the fact that some things take more than knowledge to master. The one thing that keeps me going in the areas I so badly want to be good at but currently suck at is the “10,000 hours” rule that says it takes that long to master any given skill. Keep snapping those pictures. And please, please, don’t stop blogging.
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
The 10,000 hour rule blows my mind. You’re right, I have a long way to go.
IleenieWeenie
Holy crap, girl. Are we long-lost sisters? Check out this post I wrote in 2010: http://ileenieweenie.com/blog/passion-is-for-the-birds/
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
Whoa. That is a little scary.
LaraAnn
I admire you for at least going out there and pursuing your interests even if you think that you aren’t good at it – give yourself some credit for having motivation and for trying your best. I do like the tree and pretty flower photos. I’m not the best at photography and basically have just been using my camera to take many photos for my blog and of the tennis players at the US Open. I have gotten a little better at it though. I only wish that I hadn’t been so afraid and lacking in confidence to take lots of photos on various vacations when I was younger – it’s not as if I’ll be able to afford going back to Switzerland which was our senior class trip in 1987.
I also feel like crazyassmomma, I often think that I’m not really that passionate about anything. I’ve had a tiny bit of it off and on for my blogging but self-doubt/criticism prevents me from feeling very good about it. I do think that reading would count as a passion, I used to be an avid one up until about 8 years ago. Maybe I just lack the mental energy and motivation and desire to truly be into anything these days. I get kind of jealous of those who follow their passions and fill their lives with enjoyment over them and wonder if I’ll ever be able to do so. I guess that part of it is being able to have self confidence and a positive outlook which perhaps if I work on that I’d be able to follow my dream of writing a sci-fi story.
I enjoy reading your blog and hope to get some extra time to read some of your older posts soon. I haven’t been able to use my brother’s computer much lately and feel as if I’ve missed out on so much in the blog world.
LaraAnn´s last awesome blog post…My Duran Duran Scrapbook 2
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
LaraAnn – I think you’re right that being timid about my photography is holding me back from getting better. As much as I enjoy it, it just doesn’t feel natural, which I think is a key component of any passion.
Cathy Benavides
I can barely dress myself, yet I masquerade as a fashion blogger…….and a personal shopper! I think it’s a matter of perspective. See, I think your pictures are awesome. Ergo, you are a great photographer. You are your own worst critic
Cathy Benavides´s last awesome blog post…Monday…. I mean…. Tuesday Shopping Cart
Corrin
Twitter: CorrinRenee
Oh, how I love your outlook. Thank you for perking me up.