I've found myself lately making some stupid mistakes in my photographic endeavors. It seems pretty clear to me on thinking it over a bit that I'm not now - maybe never have been - particularly good at multi-tasking. I seem to have quite a variety of interests and obligations and it is clearly a mistake to try to take care of more than one or two at a time. So, I'm going to try to slow things down a bit and try to focus better on each thing , and keep my priorities straight.
Part of my problem involves the generosity of friends. Recently, I have been gifted several fine cameras and an Apple IMAC. I'm thrilled to have each of those items, but I've got to do a better job of pacing myself in taking advantage of my sudden wealth of opportunity. The IMAC, for instance, is particularly welcome as a chance to learn to use an Apple system. People occasionally ask me for help with their computers and if it happens to be an Apple I'm skating on thin ice because I've been using Windows machines for a very long time. Similarly, going from a highly automated camera like the Minolta X-700 to a much older mostly manual camera with some issues takes some real gear shifting.
I do have to admit that I have one very large advantage over most of my photographer friends in that I am long past the point in life when I had to get up and go to work every weekday morning. At this point, I'm really impressed with the quality of photographic work I see from some of my younger friends while fitting it into a schedule over which they have little control for at least forty hours a week. So, I really have no very good excuse not to get things under control. Realistically, however, I'm pretty sure it is going to take some thoughtful effort to be successful.
I'm thinking one thing I can do right off is to cut back on my blog posting. One post per week is probably a practical upper limit, and once a month may be even better. Actually, that is something that may take care of itself if I just focus a bit better on thoroughness and quality in my photographic projects. Other ideas and suggestions are welcome.
