THE DANGERS OF EDITING

Anna and Joseph outside Mather Lodge @ Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas. (04JUL2022)

One of the hardest things I’ve experienced with respect to my photography has been choosing what images to share when doing a larger photo shoot, like the one I did today featuring my children and my parents. To get it down to a manageable number that friends and family will actually view as part of a Facebook photo album, I try hard to post at most 15 at any one time. For today’s album, my goal was to whittle down the images to 12. Not too bad a goal until you realize I started with 500+ shots.

When working on a project like this, I’ll ask Erin to help in the selection process, once I have weeded out the out-of-focus ones, some that just are not composed very well, and others that for whatever reason I do not believe are worthy of sharing. Tonight, I got it down to 70 for her review to help me pick the final 12. Often times, this process is like going to an eye exam, where you are asked. “A or B; B or C; C or A; etc.” By definition, the 70 I chose for her to examine were ones that I felt comfortable with, and it was hard to hear her say which ones she didn’t want posted.

Inevitably, she will have to remind me that just because we did not choose a pic to share in an album did not mean it was not a good image. After almost eight years of regular photography, you’d think I had internalized this reality. You’d think. The picture featured in today’s entry is one such example. I really liked the way they were each looking at me simultaneously (if I could get the secret to get such a thing on demand every time, I’d retire) but we had so many shots this one got left out of the album.

Why title this post, “The Dangers of Editing?” Simple. In case you have not noticed, EVERYTHING online is edited. When we get into the business of editing things in our lives, we must be caereful enough to understand that just because you choose not to share something does not mean it is not good. So, relax. Celebrate what brings you joy, for whether or not anyone else will see it, you know what went into it, the story behind it, and how it is meaningful to you.

Editing is essential in so many areas of our lives. Don’t forget, though, to not let the editing process in any way devalue you, the work you do, and/or that which you produce.

Grace and Peace,
Lamar

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