Goal Check - August 2010

School starts back up in a week here in our town which means I must go back tomorrow.  It is with a heavy sigh that I both look forward to a new school year and the excitement that it brings as well as look back over a terrific, relaxing summer.

I had a few goals for myself and my family this summer.  An important aspect of setting goals is occassionally looking back to see if you have achieved these goals.  I must check to see if I'm heading in the right direction or if I need to make a course adjustment.

Well!  I think it has been a good summer for my goals!  I didn't know if I would be able to stick with blogging on an almost daily basis, but I have!  I would also have to say that my goal of learning how to use my camera has been a success!  I still have MUCH to learn, but I'm much further along than I was at the beginning of the summer. 

Let's demonstrate, shall we??

Taken in May 2010:



Same location taken in late July 2010:

Taken Early June 2010:



Taken Mid June 2010:



Taken Early August 2010:

So now the next part - where to go from here....  I want to set a goal that takes into account where I've been, where I am, and where I want to go.  I also want to set a goal that is reasonably attainable and give myself a time limit.  If I don't, I may just procrastinate!

I think my next steps will be to work through the rest of the buttons on the camera.  I have been learning about them - and using some of them, but I haven't been blogging about it much.  I also want to make a priority of taking pictures during the school year- so maybe planning to take at least one shot each day...  I would like to get together a portfolio of my favorite shots - and would like it to equal more than 20 or so!  There are several photography courses I would like to take, but that will have to wait until I have more time (and money - I need to buy a new(er) car first...) 

OK - So let's articulate and be specific.  My photographic goals for myself for this Fall semester of school are:

* Continue to take photos - at least once a day!

* Continue to work for that "perfect" landscape shot.  (That's actually a little vague, but I want it so badly that I'm keeping the goal for now!)

* Continue to learn all the buttons on my camera and blog about them - ALL of them!

* Take photos that demonstrate each of these buttons.

* Work for the best possible image SOOC!  The less color/lighting/cropping corrections needed, the better!

* Organize and categorize the photos I currently have on my computer.  Dump the garbage and make a file for the best ones - have 50 "best shots" by Christmas.

* BACK UP ALL MY FILES!!!

* Don't worry about more Photoshop for now.... use what I already know, but don't spend too much time trying to do new things there.... spend what time I can get with the camera.

* Work on making others (the people I take pictures of) feel more comfortable about getting their picture taken.  You can't get a relaxed picture of someone who is nervous about the camera. 

As I look back over these goals, I think they are where I want to head.  What I don't like about them is that it will be hard to tell if I've achieved them.  They are somewhat subjective...  Even so, I think this is what I'm going to stick with.  

Sometime over the Semester break in December, I will revisit these goals and evaluate my progress.  Again, just like at the beginning of this summer, you are more than welcome to join me for the ride!  I'm so pleased that several of you are following along and encouraging me on my photographic journey!  Your company is both comforting and motivating!!!

Much Love,

Tiffany