As I said in my introduction, photography isn’t my strong suit, yet that doesn’t mean that I haven't had meaningful experiences. So far, my journey with this course has been filled with a mix of challenges that tested both my patience and skills. Yet, my experiences with this course also shaped me by teaching me valuable lessons along the way. Being an anxious person, getting into photography hasn’t been easy for me. After enrolling in this course, I found myself questioning many things and feeling uncertain. Sometimes, I hesitate to take photos of people or objects, worrying that they won’t turn out as good as others expect. I also feel shy about sharing my photos, fearing they aren’t worthy of attention. On top of that, I had concerns about my device since I’m only using an outdated Android phone.
These questions bugged me to the point that I started questioning whether I was right to enroll in this course without being prepared. Of course, I expected that before enrolling in this course, one must have basic knowledge and a decent camera for photography. However, I was wrong, and I had to shift my expectations and reconsider that photography is more than just having the appropriate equipment; rather, it's also about understanding the principles, process, and creativity that go into every shot. At first, I thought that I could just rely on instructions and lessons despite the need for an expensive camera; however, I quickly realized that hands-on experience is equally vital in growing my talents.
Speaking of talents, as I witnessed some of my classmates’ work, I was truly amazed by their level of skill and talent. Their work truly reflects the passion, effort, and dedication that they’ve put into every shot. Of course, as I compare my work to theirs, there is no denying that their level of photography is better than mine. However, does it mean that I should give up and settle for less? No! Instead of feeling discouraged or intimidated, I chose to view it as an inspiration or a motivation. I will use it as a motivation to keep moving forward and hone my skills by learning at my own pace, one at a time. Because I believe that everyone starts somewhere and that growth comes with patience and practice.
And therefore the only way I can improve is by applying what I’ve learned, which I intend to do for this course’s upcoming assignments and projects. My goal is to make every assignment a chance for me to enhance my skills, play with new techniques, and most importantly, step out of my comfort zone. Whether it's changing the perspective, playing with the lighting, or trying out new compositions, I want to make sure that my effort will be seen in every shot. Although I am aware that progress won’t be quick, I will make myself motivated to embrace the process and errors along the way. In the end, photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it's also about having a sense of detail, originality, and confidence in one's work.
Do I feel excited? Do I feel nervous? Of course, there is no denying that I feel both. The excitement of seeing my progress is worth it. I would enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes from making something greater than before and challenging myself over my current limits. However, it can't be helped that along with the thrill, there’s also worry. I worry about whether my skills will be enough or whether my work will meet my own and others' expectations. Of course, there will still be moments when I will still doubt myself, wondering if I will ever improve. But will I give up? Of course not! I will not give in to these worries; instead, I will remind myself every time that progress takes time. After all, I have nothing to lose, yet I have everything to gain. So I’ll choose to embrace these thrills and worries as fuel to keep me motivated.
With that mindset, the next big question is, am I ready to surpass or match my classmates' level? No doubt, it’ll be a tough challenge, considering some of them have impressive skills and better equipment, making the skill gap between us clear. Sure, it feels intimidating, but if I choose to view it as an impossible challenge, how will I ever hone my skills? So am I up for the challenge? Absolutely! I refuse to let worries and doubts hold me back. Instead of focusing on surpassing my classmates’ limits, I’ll set my goals on pushing past my limits.
At the end of the day, my journey isn’t about being the best among my classmates; rather, it's about being better than I was yesterday. There will always be errors and doubts, but I prefer to view them as part of the process. Development takes time, and I'm ready to put in the effort to improve slowly. I know I still have a long way to go, but that's what keeps it interesting. Even after this course, I’ll continue to improve my skills and enjoy both the challenges and the successes because, in the long run, development is what matters most.