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2.12.2013
2.11.2013
Monday's Musings - What Filter do You Use in Life?
What filter do you use in life?
You may not realize it, but we all have a filter. It's affected by many things.
How we grew up, who our friends were, what pain we've suffered, what joys we've shared.
But one of the biggest filters we have is what we believe. About ourselves, others and God.
Problems arise though, when we have a broken filter. And worst yet, is that we may not even realize it.
As a photographer, I know that my filter choice makes a BIG difference in the quality of my shots.
Look at these.
Isn't the purple just cool?
This orange tint makes the photo feel much warmer than the purple above.
Notice how the blue makes the photo feel cold. And, it's harder to tell if was taken during the day or night.
The wrong filter can make taking photos tough. And a broken filter can ruin a perfectly good shoot. How do I know this? Just look at this...
Yep. Only a week after I had bought a new lens and filter, I fell on some wet concrete during a shoot and my camera went flying. It even took a shot midair just to taunt me.
I picked up my camera and tried to photograph something to see if the lens still worked. I found out that it couldn't take a picture. The thick, broken filter confused the lens so it couldn't focus on anything. Life was a blur to the camera.
That's when it hit me. We walk around with broken filters, still trying to make sense of our lives. But we don't have a proper focus. Often times, the pain I've gone through has affected my outlook on life. Sometimes, it's fear that affects me. Maybe it's loss. Or heartache. Or disappointment.
But it doesn't matter exactly what the broken filter is, not if it's changing my outlook on life for the worse.
For me, the only answer for a broken filter is to go back to the Bible and God. What does He have to say about my life, my pain, my sorrow, my joys? Because I often let the hard stuff get my focus off God.
Do I really believe God is in control of all my life? That He can bring good out of every situation? That since He forgave me, that I need to forgive others? That He will give me the grace to forgive?
Those are the questions I wrestle with. Honestly, I don't jump toward forgiveness every time. I struggle to forgive, to let go of pain.
But God is gracious to love me anyway and won't let me go just because I'm struggling. No, He tries to show me that my filter is broken. That I need to trust Him for each day.
And let me tell you, it's awesome to get the broken filter off and put the right one on. Look at this blue sky. That's the power of the right filter...a beautiful, clean, intensely colored shot.
So, what filter in your life is broken? Ask God to give you one that brings more color and beauty and meaning to your life.
Grace and peace,
Mary
You may not realize it, but we all have a filter. It's affected by many things.
How we grew up, who our friends were, what pain we've suffered, what joys we've shared.
But one of the biggest filters we have is what we believe. About ourselves, others and God.
As a photographer, I know that my filter choice makes a BIG difference in the quality of my shots.
Look at these.
Isn't the purple just cool?
This orange tint makes the photo feel much warmer than the purple above.
Notice how the blue makes the photo feel cold. And, it's harder to tell if was taken during the day or night.
The wrong filter can make taking photos tough. And a broken filter can ruin a perfectly good shoot. How do I know this? Just look at this...
Yep. Only a week after I had bought a new lens and filter, I fell on some wet concrete during a shoot and my camera went flying. It even took a shot midair just to taunt me.
I picked up my camera and tried to photograph something to see if the lens still worked. I found out that it couldn't take a picture. The thick, broken filter confused the lens so it couldn't focus on anything. Life was a blur to the camera.
That's when it hit me. We walk around with broken filters, still trying to make sense of our lives. But we don't have a proper focus. Often times, the pain I've gone through has affected my outlook on life. Sometimes, it's fear that affects me. Maybe it's loss. Or heartache. Or disappointment.
But it doesn't matter exactly what the broken filter is, not if it's changing my outlook on life for the worse.
For me, the only answer for a broken filter is to go back to the Bible and God. What does He have to say about my life, my pain, my sorrow, my joys? Because I often let the hard stuff get my focus off God.
Do I really believe God is in control of all my life? That He can bring good out of every situation? That since He forgave me, that I need to forgive others? That He will give me the grace to forgive?
Those are the questions I wrestle with. Honestly, I don't jump toward forgiveness every time. I struggle to forgive, to let go of pain.
But God is gracious to love me anyway and won't let me go just because I'm struggling. No, He tries to show me that my filter is broken. That I need to trust Him for each day.
And let me tell you, it's awesome to get the broken filter off and put the right one on. Look at this blue sky. That's the power of the right filter...a beautiful, clean, intensely colored shot.
So, what filter in your life is broken? Ask God to give you one that brings more color and beauty and meaning to your life.
Grace and peace,
Mary
2.08.2013
Photo Tip Friday
Today's Tip: Take your camera with you and use it!
While today's tip may be obvious, it needs to be said.
We think of taking pictures of landscapes, people and birthday parties. But what about your daily life?
You might think of what I'm suggesting as photo journalism. Or a sort of photo diary of your life.
So when can carrying your camera come in handy while out? I'm glad you asked.
This past Dec., my husband and I went to go pick up our son from his first semester of college. We arrived on campus after his final swimming workout. Since all the other students were gone and the cafeteria was closed, the university had arranged with a local eatery to feed the swimmers.
We didn't know when we arrived that the guys were ready for food. But when they told us of the arrangement, we headed in to get them some well earned breakfast.
Thankfully, I had my camera on hand. We had a great time with our son and another swimmer we were giving a ride to the airport. Just looking at the photos makes me smile. They had stacks of French toast, pancakes and lots of syrup.
Here, you can see the place radiated with an ambiance that comes from years of use and little updating.
Without a camera on hand, I couldn't have documented that morning in the diner with our son. Even seeing the pictures gives me that feeling of happiness that he has done well his first semester and was coming home for Christmas.
So, take your camera with you and document unexpected events that occur.
Do you have any special photos that bring you a smile when you see them? Please share if you do.
Hope this tip helps!
Keep on clicking!
Mary