Sometimes you need to be a bit more

More than a wife, mom and career woman. You need to be more of yourself, of being creative. Of doing something that makes you truly happy outside of this all. Food for the soul if you like.

I have been thinking about what I like and would like to do to fill my happiness tank.I though about all the hobbies I have had in my life - making beads, needle work, painting , drawing, photography, mosaics, pottery, horse riding, yoga - a long list. And although I do the occasional yoga class at gym it is nowhere the quality and intensity I was used to. And horse riding is simply not practical at the moment. Occasionally yes, but intensity, no. Not with all I have to do and money wise. But I evaluated all and decided that I would love to do more in photography and discussed it with the hubby. I might do a course in the future. The occasion to feed my creativity cam soon and unexpected when my cousin invited me to a photography forum's event on Sunday and in the blink of an eye and one call the the hubby to co ordinate schedules and time, and I was in!

What I loved about the event was the casual approach and easy timing. Apart from the two challenges there was no stress to perform involved. The atmosphere is very much in terms of positive comments and teaching with encouragement. After introductions we had a nice brunch followed by our first challenge - to photograph the restaurant experience.I really like my photo below but I does not say restaurant, does it? I have to agree that I got distracted by beauty. And there's something in the corner?

This one shows a bit of the atmosphere of the place.

On to the next section which was a workshop where you had 4 options ranging from beginners, to portraits, to macros and unusual angles etc. I chose portraits because my interest is mostly in people and boy, did I learn a lot. They had a wedding photographer couple that showed us the ropes,with natural light, different light conditions, fill in flashes, slave flashes and reflector screens. Wow, a whole world. Also learned a lot about the light triangle and juggling with that.

What I think was my best shot of the light skinned model:

And the dark skinned one. I should have had my ISO on 200 and not 400 to have the very bright background a bit better in balance but I love how I got her skin to "glow" and not "shine".

Then we were set the "one shot" challenge - we got one shot only and half an hour to take it in - thus release your shutter just once. This is more difficult than you think - we are all so used to taking many shots with digital and edit - now you had one shot, no editing and no testing. This was mine:

The comments that I got was that it is slightly over exposed but a very interesting and eye catching shot.

I loved the whole experience -not only having some time for myself for the day, but learning and meeting new like minded people. 

And I used my new knowledge to catch the super moon - out of hand with my little zoom lens (and cropped). Not great detail or super sharp, but certainly better than I did on Saturday night.

Now I have to comment on the forum, and post some photos (which I am terribly afraid to do) but I guess it is learn and take the criticism. After all, it is putting yourself out there that is the next step in growth.