One of my favorite sites is to go on Pinterest. It has aided me in a great number of things. It can be if you allow it be additive. But for some reason, when I am finished for searching for ideas…well I am done.
There is something that I have discovered about myself. I critique photographs…HARD. Every photographer who claims to be profession, their work I heavily criticized, most of all my own. Pinterest is a safe place for me to get it out of my system. I learn from them and the ones that I find appealing I repost. Unless asked, I rarely (unless its my family) say my opinions outloud. When asked, I find the positives and sandwich between the negative. I always feel awful after I have torn apart a photograph full of mistakes. But if I don’t honestly like a photograph, I try in the nicest way possible to portray it…but it is always blunt. Once I had a fellow classmate ask me what I thought, when I had finished there was little left to be admired. The instructor diminished the rest of the small hope. I thought for sure I was goner. “That’s it,” I thought. “They’ll never ask for my opinion again.” The next week, the same class mate approached me again with what the instructor had said and what I had recommended. I was surprised…and humbled. Though significant improvement, I still pointed out the imperfections while admiring the changed that were made. The final photograph was submitted into a show. I wondered why the classmate who was of the same skill level as me asked for my opinions. My own photographs were nothing to be greatly proud of, I saw many flaws in them. Yet, I also saw beauty. As time went on, we both critique each other’s work. I learned a great deal and was thankful.
What does this have to do with Pinterest you may ask? It reminds me to look at a photograph for what it is…a photograph. To enjoy it. I found more photographs in the photography section are far more enjoyable than many websites. I have found inspiration, and encouragement. There is little to distract me because of the layout of Pinterest is clean and uncluttered. It also tends to have more of the photographs who understand the seriousness of putting their work in a good light.
But I don’t just go there for photography ideas. Nor just for cosmetology. Surprisingly enough, it tells me to get off my seat and get to work. You want the house to get clean…get to work and make it organize. It provides me with ideas on how to get the job done.
I guess you can say…I use Pinterest as educational tool. (cough and to find ideas on how to dress myself cough).
Although I still love learning from books, I love getting on blogs and Pinterest to learn. Funny how things have changed. If you want to learn something, so much is already at your fingertips. There are so many tools available to learn. Just have to take the time to learn.