Musings of This, That and Other Things

I've been struggling with the whole Adobe Lightroom concept. While I lust long for it, I always question at what point the photograph stops being 'yours'. I've seen befores and afters of shots and it's amazing the final outcome but how much is a photographer relying on it's 'magic' to fix what's wrong with his/her photograph. Much like the model who's imperfections are airbrushed out, who you see in the final photograph is not the real thing.
It begs the question; Are you, when at the point of spending more time on the comp in Lightroom, more of an editor than a photographer? Shouldn't we all work harder at the art of taking a photograph?
Truth is Lightroom scares me. It seems insanely technical and I'm not sure I'm up to the task. Of course, I've barely picked up my camera this winter. For several reasons, a couple out of my control. My fingers twitch when I haven't played with it for a while. I'm afraid to lose my 'mojo'. I spend a lot of time thinking about it though. Does that count?
I think in the end, I'll wait till my skill has improved before entering the realm of Lightroom.  (if ever) To do that, though, two things have to happen. I need to get off my duff, pick up the camera and just shoot. Anything and everything. I've been toying with the idea of street photography, and that means getting in my Jeep and driving to where the general population converge. Well actually I just need to step outside and quit letting winter chase me in and close me off. Yeah, I hate it that much.
All this talk has put me in the mood though. I think I'll pull out my new flash and trusty prime tomorrow, just to see my tired eye can ferret out. If it's not to cold, that is.

I went with my youngest daughter to an information session on Kindergarden. Yep, my baby's baby is not that anymore. Come September it'll be time for her mother to give her up to the world. I can accept it easier this go round, been through it two times already. But I know what she's going to go through and I can only hope this family has raised a strong spirited individually minded child.
Which I think is the case.
Anyhow, I looked around the room at the parents, their faces a mixture of excitement and concern. This is, after all, a huge step in their lives, I felt the same on my first born. ( can't say the same for my second though, I was counting down the days ha ha love ya, Boo <3  )
At the end of the session and in closing one of the principles of the elementary schools offered up this piece of advice.
"Don't push your child, assess if they are ready to enter the school program" ( apparently, and I did not know this, Kindergarden is not a requisite in my province's school curriculum. Huh )
And me, ohhhh me being me, ya know, because I've always been a tad bit of the class clown, pipes up 'In closing, speaking as a grandparent, there is nothing to be worried about. Start sweating it when they enter Jr. High' The parents nervously laughed but the principles and kindergarden teachers laughed the loudest, all nodding their heads in collective agreement.
I know what I speak of.
It's when my allergies to teenagers started.. and I'm afflicted with it to this day.

I wish I was better at conveying my feelings when something's upset me. I'm really crappy at it. Well not towards my family, I'm the town crier there when I'm pissed. I convey beautifully after I've slammed a couple of cupboard doors, tsked my way through the room or had a good workout. ha ha. But friends? Yeah.. no so good at it. So I shut my mouth, deal and sometimes it comes back out at the oddest, stupidest moments.
Not this time though, I'll just work through it and just let it go.
My daughter started me on this mantra not to long ago. She was with me when I had the misfortune of coming across some idiot who really needed A) his licence revoked or B) a huge neon sign on his car warning others of a blatant case of utter stupidity out for a stroll today.
Anyhow, after the incident I got my hackles up. ( happens to me when I come across idiots. I am a firm believer in the ' Here's Your Sign ' philosophy. )
My daughter calmly reached out, put her hand on my arm and said, 'Mom, breath. Let it go' She took a deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth. I found myself copying her. ( How many times have I said this to my kids.. Practice what yer preach, Jamie )
And she was right. I instantly calmed down and .. let it go.
I've started practicing what she preached to me that day and let me tell ya, it makes for a much better ride overall. ( the sheer number of idiots on the road on any given day is mind boggling.)
Now I have to put practice into praticum. In my every day life. Starting today.
I'm letting it go. ( working on my age. Happy to report I'm getting there )
:-)
Thanks daughter of mine.

Speaking of. Same daughter. Almost 20 years ago. We walked into a restaurant and I automatically asked for the smoking section. This child, at the age of 5, asked me if we could sit in the non smoking.
Off I toddled to the smoking section but not before I saw the look of complete disappointment on her face.
I quit the following week.
So thanks again, daughter of mine.
Now can you give your sister the same look please and thanks?
;-)

So, my bloggy pals... what are your musings/thoughts?