Cananaloupe.*
Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 3:44PM 
I remember when I first started shooting with an SLR, waaaay before dSLR's were the rage, and how preoccupied I was with taking perfect pictures. I was obsessed with finding the light, uncluttered backgrounds and happy expressions. Then in 2003, I bought a dSLR and I really started to push what I knew about photography and realized, I really didn't know anything at all. It's SO true when people say, the more you know the more you realize how much you don't know. That goes for pretty much everything in life really.
Here it is 6 years later and my kids are that much older and I've found in the past few years that I don't care about those "perfect" pictures anymore. The most I might do is have them move a little into better light, no posing, no directing, just THEM. Doing what they do, because that's what it's really about. And you know what? They're happier and I'm happier. Images like the ones above might not mean anything to anyone else, but to me, they're perfect. THIS is why I got into photography, it just took me a few years to figure it out.
In other news, some of you may already know that the boy was bitten by a neighbor's dog yesterday. It was not a horrible bite when you take into account that people get their faces ripped off by dogs but it was bad enough that he had to go to the doctor. Were it any other injury he would have gotten some stitches but since it was a dog bite it was left to close on it's own. The idea is not to sew up any germs under the skin making the risk of infection much higher. He was also put on antibiotics, and since he is allergic to cillin drugs he was put on Bactrim.
I called animal control because this particular dog has bit before and was required to wear a muzzle, which he obviously wasn't. I feel pretty guilty about the whole situation because I should have checked to make sure the dog was muzzled before I let the kids go play with them in their yard and I didn't. Bad Momma moment, for sure. :( Anyway, the boy is fine. Not that I had any doubt because he's such a champ.
P.S. We're protected by Brinks, in case you didn't know. ;)
*Boyspeak for cantaloupe.
Reader Comments (8)
I'm glad you reported that dog. If it's bitten people before, and wasn't wearing its muzzle, the owners are at fault. You showed much more restraint than I would've--I would've kicked some serious dog butt--assuming it was a little dog, of course! Glad your son is ok and that the bite was small(ish). I hear you, too, on the increasing ignorance factor. I think I wake up stupider each morning!
I don't worry about perfect pics when shooting the boys either. I shoot a lot so I can usually get something good. I take the time with still life and other things that don't move. ;)
Great shot! And I am glad he was not bitten worse.
I was so upset for you when I read about the dog biting your DS on the board. I'm so glad you reported it.
Now-when I come to Denver in a few weeks, can you teach me how to get my candids to look like yours do? Because I <3 how real, how "slice of life" they are. You blow me away with them. Every.Time.
Yes - these are the pictures that ultimately count. You get excellent "snap shots". Glad to hear your son is doing well.
Awww. Those are such great pictures. I too get caught up in all those things when taking photos. In fact, I think I have less pics of my DS (with a dslr) than of my DD (with a p&s). Glad your little man is doing ok. That is scary!
Love your "snapshots" (they don't look that way to me!!) - and glad your son is doing OK!
I'm glad he's okay!
I'm so happy your son is okay, what a scary experience. Love these shots, they remind me of the lazy days of summer. :)
I noticed the Brinks sign straight off, we have an ADT one in our front yard!