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MUSINGS ON LIFE
I think; therefore, I muse
 
DIANE HUGHES • NASHVILLE, TN
WRITER, EDITOR, CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL

Let's get small: Life lessons from a photographer's lens

4/22/2012

7 Comments

 
snail, smokies, macro photograpySnail in the Smokies. © Diane Hughes, 2012
My love of photography goes back to childhood. I remember creating a poster for 4-H detailing the parts of a camera. In my 20s, I bought my first SLR camera and took a few photography classes. Last year, I purchased my first digital SLR and rediscovered my love of photography, a passion I had allowed to atrophy with the death of film and the rise of digital. 

Since investing in the new camera, I've begun again to explore the world through a camera lens, rediscovering the thrill of choosing f-stops and shutter speeds while plotting composition and depth of field. Much of my recent work has focused (no pun intended) on getting up close and personal with everything from snails and snakes to flowers and frogs. With macro work, it's all about the details.

In thinking about the joy I find in viewing Mother Nature up close, I was reminded that we humans can learn a lesson from macro photography: that occasionally we need to get small (apologies to Steve Martin) and forget the big picture. To put a new twist on an old adage: Sometimes we fail to see the trees for the forest. We become so overwhelmed by problems in the world at large that we may fail to recognize the small problems right in front of us. 

Take the sad-looking person in the checkout line. Perhaps a smile is all they need to lift them up. What about holding the door for the person just behind you? Or complimenting your co-worker on her fabulous fashion sense? Every day, around every corner, there are opportunities for SMALL random acts that can make a BIG difference to someone. It's all in the details.

Remember the analogy of the stone thrown into a body of water and how the ripple grows larger as it goes outward? Let's go create some ripples today. They may seem small in the moment, but who knows what ripple effect they might have. And some day, when you most need it, that ripple might reach out and touch you.

Have you made ripples recently? Did someone perform a small act that made a big difference to you? Please share your thoughts in the Comments.

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7 Comments
Donna McNicol link
4/22/2012 10:12:28 am

Amazing photo!!!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
4/22/2012 10:34:28 am

Thank you, Donna. I'm now shopping for a macro lens so that I can get even closer! This was taken with my kit lens, an 18-55mm — though it does a pretty decent job.

Reply
Donna McNicol link
4/22/2012 11:31:41 am

I'm a point-n-shoot kinda gal, but really appreciate those who understand all the inner workings of serious cameras. I'll be watching for more great photos!

Laura Zera link
4/22/2012 04:36:42 pm

It's always interesting (and kind of sad) when you do something small for someone and you see a look of surprise on their face, and they kind of hesitate for a nanosecond, because they didn't expect it and/or it doesn't happen that often. Looking forward to seeing more of your photos -- the new camera purchase has opened up a whole new world of things to post about!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
4/23/2012 05:13:35 am

Even if they don't appreciate or understand it in the moment, I like to believe that down the road it will have some effect for good. It sure can't hurt!

Yes ... more photos to come. I'm ready to purchase a new toy, er, lens. : )

Reply
Cindy Higdon
4/23/2012 02:48:18 am

Loved the picture of the snail. On other small things, I always hold the door for anyone coming behind me, or open a door for someone with a baby stroller, wheelchair, or armload of packages. It's just automatic, which is why I'm always affronted when someone lets a door close in my face! I suppose I should just offer it up, and assume it wasn't done intentionally.

Reply
Diane Hughes link
4/23/2012 05:17:16 am

Usually, I think these slights are not intentional. I believe people sometimes just get caught up in their day-to-day stuff and aren't always thinking. And some day when I'm caught up in my own stuff and act without thinking, I hope they'll give me the benefit of the doubt. (Cause it's gonna happen! I know I'm sometimes guilty.)

Reply



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    DIANE HUGHES

    I write, edit, photograph and muse about life.

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Photos used under Creative Commons from matrianklw, Phil Hawksworth, miss machine♥, stephenshellard, heyFilbert, The Feedman, asenat29, alex_ford, kphotographer, http://www.samcatchesides.com/, dcarlbom, g23armstrong, Mourner, dorena-wm, ComputerHotline, Denkrahm, Sigma.DP2.Kiss.X3, trawin, comedy_nose, katerha, OiMax, kathryn_rotondo