19 Comments
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Kelly Peacock Wright's avatar

I hear you. Although I have never been, and will never be anything but an amateur at photography, I understand this. It’s the same with writing. Put something down. Let it sit for a while. Think about it. Write some more. To me the contemplative aspect is what benefits most.

Matt Oliver's avatar

Thanks for reading Kelly!

Judith Jewer's avatar

Thank you ❤️

Tracie Sanders's avatar

It's like one of those suduko puzzles. . You think you got it and then, darn it

Chris Nowell Photography's avatar

I like the idea as we don’t want it to end. Otherwise it’s over.

Fully agree 👍

Matt Oliver's avatar

Thanks Chris

Marion Gibbon's avatar

I love this it really resonates for me on so many levels. I love to create, painting, writing, poetry. Small steps suits all creatives. Spending time each day - even a few minutes - leads to joy, improvement and delight. I used to think you had to find time. I now know it’s non-negotiable. It is essential to your soul.

Matt Oliver's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment. I think you have described it perfectly !

EarAche - Eric J's avatar

Small steps , many take this path, but do they truly see.

This trail has not be trampled by large hooves.

Quietly, the muskrats, the racoons gentle steps.

Their path. grubs, beetles, do not have a chance.

The hare nibbles grasses along the way.

Through the mist, a wooded pond appears.

Small birch fallen in, its weak branches broken.

Able to grow, yet not to thrive in spring flood.

Water rich, they perish young.

The racoon and the opossum fishes frogs.

Their small fingered paws, so articulate.

The muskrat forages the edge for succulents.

The hare drinks.

Their young watch.

Their young prosper.

Their small trail is their life.

.

This natural path correlates with our lives.

Along our journeys, our experiences,

We learn and dine and grow.

Our experiences become expertise.

We prosper.

Photography taught, is a small step.

Experience, a keen eye and focused mind,

frame the moment, bring forth the wonderment.

Matt knows.

.

I am a shitty photographer, . . . . I imagine.

My Grandfathers Voigtlander- I learned

Nikin F3 - OK, but wasted a lot if film

Canon EOS - thousands of so-so shots

All- Many family and Travel Memories,

Many times ten of Natures Small Gifts,

taken with small steps

MarkG's avatar

Love the sentiment and your images. Looking at the caption panels in some exhibitions of this genre these days, so much landscape nature/landscape photography suggests countless hours stitching multiple exposures, using digital filters, etc. which always seems to be completely beside the point. All photography is artifice but never more so in some photographers' chocolate box creations.

Matt Oliver's avatar

Thank you Mark!

Lisa White's avatar

Beautifully written, thank you. I especially like this line "it’s none of my business what others think of me" - as well as the concept of small steps, particularly now I'm restarting my photography journey.

Matt Oliver's avatar

Many thanks Lisa, its a line I try to remember! It's always useful for helping improve my creativity

Amy Schwartz's avatar

Always get something out of your posts, Matt.

Your honesty and curiosity about creating art helps bolster my perspective on life.

This one, especially, gives me calm. Thank you.

Matt Oliver's avatar

That's really kind Amy, thank you.

J. Antonio Figueroa Jr.'s avatar

This was a great write up. Inspiring. Thank you.

Matt Oliver's avatar

Thank you for reading!

Paul Maven's avatar

I needed to read that Matt. I got a diagnosis of ADHD last year and my brain has ramped up a few gears since getting it. I have an almost constant noise going on. Your post struck a chord.

Matt Oliver's avatar

Thanks for taking time to comment Paul, being outdoors certainly helps to quieten down the brain chatter.