A journey of self-discovery - why did I decide to pursue photography now?
One evolves daily and discovers one's passions or desires that may appear later in your life or you are afraid to express them and fully pursue them.
You can use a simple personality test to find out what are your strengths, skills, or potential dreams that are dormant in you without you knowing it.
I got such an impulse myself once when I found myself looking at one photo of a random person on social media, examining the details, observing others, and listening to soothing jazz music in the background while trying to do an analysis of my emotions that were triggered by looking at the photo.
I said to myself, "After all, this photograph makes a beautiful story without words."
At the age of 40, many people begin to reflect on their life choices and consider new goals. It was this exploration of my creative side that led me to an unexpected and incredibly fulfilling passion - photography. But what exactly?
I discovered that I don't exactly enjoy correcting and styling people when taking portraits - how to stand, how to look, or what emotion they should try to express to the lens.
I've always been a fan of big cities, landscapes street art, animal behavior, or natural wonders.
I enjoy observing people when they don't know it when they are naturally moving, laughing, and doing an activity. It gives me a sense of happiness to see the city lit up at night, where so many secrets are hidden.
It's also challenging to capture the beauty of nature in one image, but capturing the moment correctly is priceless to me.
I've always enjoyed visiting galleries or exhibitions of work by various talents. It's such a sacred place for me, as is the library. You walk past the works in silence and let your thoughts flow, fostering inspiration and having a conversation with your inner self.
A place where stories and hope are created through art.
Why did I decide to take this creative path so apparently late in life?
The answer lies in a combination of curiosity, the need for self-expression, and the desire to capture the beauty of the world around us.
An unconventional beginning
It's safe to say that I've never been a typical photography enthusiast. My life up to this point has been full of responsibilities, career goals, and family priorities.
While I've always admired the work of talented photographers, I never envisioned myself that way. Everything changed one day when I received a gift that sparked my artistic journey.
My husband, who was aware of my admiration for photography, got me my first proper camera Sony camera ZV-E10 along with a quality camera. It was a thoughtful gesture on his part, but I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was scared of the new and on the other hand, I was excited and felt like a fish in water.
The camera was a beautiful piece of technology, but in the beginning, I had no idea how to use it.
However, it was the motivation and the kind of nudge I needed to start exploring this world through the lens.
The power of curiosity
I was burning with curiosity and it was a strong motivator. I decided to dive headfirst into photography, driven by a desire to understand the intricacies of the camera and see if I could even develop the skills needed to capture the world as I saw it.
I started researching techniques, reading books, and following online courses that I purchased so that I wouldn't feel so lost and intimidated at the same time at the beginning.
It was a humbling experience because I had to learn the basics, from understanding aperture, ISO, and shutter speed to mastering composition and lighting.
As I dove deeper into the shoot, I realized that the camera wasn't just a tool; it was a medium through which I could express my unique view of the world.
Each click of the shutter allowed me to freeze a moment in time and share it with others.
I felt like I was learning a new language - the language of visual storytelling.
Creative output
In adulthood, life became increasingly routine. Work, domestic duties, and everyday worries began to take their toll on my creativity.
Photography emerged as a way to break out of the monotony. I would take my camera on walks around the neighborhood or on family outings and suddenly the world began to change for the better before my eyes.
The simple act of framing a shot of a subject and adjusting the settings to capture the perfect moment gave me a sense of control and excitement I hadn't experienced in a long time.
It was a therapeutic escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Capturing the beauty of life
One of the biggest reasons I got into photography was to capture the beauty of what only I can see.
Everyone has their point of view and something different has meaning for everyone. As we age, we often realize the impermanence of life and the moments pass too quickly.
Whether it was a sunrise, a candid family moment, or the intricate details of nature, I have found immense joy in preserving these treasures through the lens of my camera.
For me, each photograph is a reminder of the richness of life, a celebration of the present moment, and an exploration of the wonders of the world.
How many times have I found myself walking through a crowd of people in a city, looking at everyone from head to toe, and imagining moments or situations where I would see something that would speak to me and make a unique piece for my collection?
Or the construction art of skyscrapers or interesting places in the world that have always especially attracted me and I long to conquer them by capturing them in a photograph.
The feeling of emotion and warm joy is again given to me by innocent animals playing in the wild or, on the contrary, trying to put a smile on their owner's face with their loving nature and friendly behavior.
We need to focus on the magical moments that make life worth living!
It's never too late...
Embarking on a journey towards quality photography at the age of almost 40 may seem unconventional, but for me, it was more of a transformative experience.
It's a reminder that it's never too late to discover a new passion and embrace it with open arms.
If you are considering a new hobby or a long-lost dream, remember that life's most extraordinary adventures often begin when you least expect them...
Do you have a similar challenge ahead of you in your life? Have you discovered something similar or is there still something that is stopping you from taking off and something you are afraid of or don't trust yourself enough?
Let me know more in the comments...
