Sometimes, people say nice things. Sometimes, people even say nice things to me. Do you ever feel like you don't make a difference? That your work, your photography for example, which is basically just an extention of you, is pointless? I do. I always feel selfish, posting pictures here, showing off parts of myself (not physical ones though) like the worst kind of exhibitionist. Like I have no right to share myself with anybody and that no one really cares underneath the surface. But then sometimes I am proven wrong. Like today. "Marshy - all you have to believe is that your photography makes people happy. Fair enough it's not curing AIDS, relieving 3rd world debts or stopping the Middle East crisis, but in it's own small way it is letting people from all over the planet enjoy your work, even for a few moments - which in that split second of time makes the world a nicer place." I just thought that was such a beautiful thing to say, one of those things that may be plain and obvious to most people, but that I never really realise until I hear them said. Maybe I should stop mindwrestling myself over whether I am any good or not and just start taking photos again. What do you think?

I concur. go and shoot.

Try this one! "there is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And, if you block it, it will never exist through any medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares to other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open." A quote from dancer Martha Graham in Dance to the Piper by Agnes de Mille Take it and put it where you can reference it often.

Great quote... Now go and shoot :)

That is a good quote indeed... thanks for sharing.

Gee I just try to post something interesting and that causes others to relax or forget or lighten their emotional baggage for a couple of seconds or more. which I think we all do. So there. Actually there are more people viewing this forum than we realize. So we never know who we are helping. Whats wrong with body parts? And yes you should post. Bsteph

Wha? Body parts?

You wrote. " I always feel selfish, posting pictures here, showing off parts of myself (not physical ones though) like the worst kind of exhibitionist. " See body parts. Bsteph

steph, "not physical ones though." I think she was talking about being an exhibitionist relating to her work. Either way, I wouldn't mind Marsh is ya posted summore of yerself.... -devilish grin- ry

Another one for all of you-- "I submit to life and then find beautiful explanations for my act. I make the piece fit into the creative weaving." -Ana Nin (*