Monday, September 12, 2011

imperfection


When I look at this photo, I see all of its technical imperfections. I'm kicking myself that I used a depth of field too shallow to get everyone in focus. Out of the 100+ photos I took in a short period of time, this one had the best expressions. I see how much practice I would need to get the kind of portrait shots I ooh and aah over.

When my mother-in-law looks at this photo, she is thrilled to have a photo of all of her grandsons together for the first time. Ranging in age from 12 to <2 years old, the youngest was born while we were living in Italy. She doesn't care if the focus isn't spot on. What matters to her is having the faces of her grandchildren captured, together.

As photographers and artists, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that perfection is not the goal. The moment, captured with all its imperfections, is the true prize. Like Misty Croney's image below, where the excitement of losing those teeth is the most important thing to capture.

Capturing a moment perfectly is the ideal. Let's not miss the moments though, in our search for perfection.

kat of The Kat Eye View of the World

  tooth fairy

tooth fairy by Misty Croney

14 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this post! I'm always doing this to myself! Thanks:)

This is Belgium said...

In my opinion PERFECT is THE rigth word to describe these shots!

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Imperfection
IS perfection...
Great post!

kelly said...

This was a really great post. Both shots are beautiful!

GailO said...

If you had not mentioned it I would not have even thought twice about focus in your photo because of the wonderful expresssions you caught! Both are wonderful shots!

Stephanie said...

I see the imperfections but I still think it's a great shot. The expressions on all their faces are priceless. You captured a beautiful moment - so what if the focus isn't quite right??

Holly ~ Soupatraveler said...

oh kat, all i see are the big HUGE smiles and the happiness! beautiful post, something i think we can all relate too : )

Kirstin said...

Kat, those expressions are priceless. I can totally see why your mother-in-law loves this picture; I do too!

Anonymous said...

Love it

Unknown said...

i have a pretty loud inner critic too -- i can totally relate, and i too often have to remind myself that perfection is not the goal. (ps. i love both shots!)

christina said...

i love this post! it's filled with truth. life is short i try to enjoy the photo for what it will mean 40 years from now to others.
XO

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

It's an adorable shot! And it's hard getting all the kids looking great at once. I love the little toothless smile too. So cute.

urban muser said...

i love the sentiment here kat. great post!

Cara said...

a shot like this clearly wins over a sharper but less happy, less honest-smiles-filled one! that is all i see when i opened this page...and it made me smile!

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