Concepts versus Instincts

Aren't our minds interesting? Our concepts are what determine how our lives manifest. If I were to tell myself that I couldn't be a good photographer without proper education, then I wouldn't be a photographer at all.


 Some of the best photos can be the shots that are not supposed to happen at all. An example of this would be the photos I took earlier this week. I keep reading that one "should" only take flower photos on overcast days so that the light will be even.

Using my own instincts, as always, I went out to shoot flower photos at high noon (another no no) on a bright and sunny day. I got some great shots! This makes me want to apply this idea to other areas of life....using basic common sense, of course. Who knows what I may do next? I certainly will be less likely to let my concepts get in the way. In my life, instinct always trumps concepts.

This photo is available at my website SusanBStambaugh.com

Snuck Up on Me Sunset

You just never know, here in Tucson when the next great sunset is on it's way. On the way out to dinner I noticed that a pretty sunset was forming. Before I knew it, I had my trusty camera out and was taking photos from a parking lot. I have learned to carry my camera with me when leaving the house.

The sunsets continue to surprise me from day to day. We can have a few nice ones and then a series of duds. Sometimes when you least expect it, they show up beautifully. There needs to be the ability to be  flexible and go with the flow.... but isn't that the case in life in general as well? Everything seems to floweasily when we fly by the seat of our intuition in the present moment. That is how I usually get my photographs. Something just tells me to go outside, or go to a certain area. Usually my photo will appear in that place and at that time. I am not able to sit and wait for hours for a shot like this. I just have to trust.