Out of Focus: Entry One
"I make art to remember that I’m alive." — Nayyirah Waheed
May 20, 2025
“Out of Focus” is a space for the parts of my life that don’t usually make it into my portfolio or social media: quiet moments, random thoughts shared without judgment, photos I really love but never had the right time or place to post.
This blog is for me — a small way to stay grounded in the reason I started taking photos in the first place.
Not for money.
Not for success.
But to create — and then share.
I get so caught up in “what’s next” that I forget to honor “what’s now.” I've held onto photos and art for so long that they started to feel outdated— even though they still matter to me. I want to change that here.
So… welcome. This is my soft start. Just me, trying to be more present — one post, one frame at a time.
About the Above Photo:
On May 18, 2025, my boyfriend had a DJ gig at Lubber Run Amphitheater in Arlington, VA. I was taking photos at the event and needed to adjust my camera settings. I didn't want to fumble around in front of everyone trying to get the right shot, so I decided to duck behind a building to test my settings by taking random shots of trees and plants.
Earlier in May, I attended a presentation by Jeff Mauritzen, a well-established National Geographic Expeditions landscape photographer. One takeaway that really stuck out to me was his advice on composition- something I've always struggled with. He talked about how good composition helps guide the viewer's eye through a photo. "To achieve this, try remembering to use the rule of thirds, following a leading line, or creating a frame within a frame.", he said.
So I did. Before I went out, I took a look back at old photos I've taken and, even in images I once thought were my best work, I noticed that I didn't linger. My eyes weren't drawn through. I wasn't even appealing to myself as a viewer! I kept Jeff's advice in mind and it paid off. I find that, with the above photo, my eyes are drawn to where this path is going. I want to know more about where the path is leading.
I also recently discovered the difference between wide angle and telephoto lens, and how each impacts the story a photo tells. I've always struggled with photos that aren't a close-cropped candid. While these are my preference, I've always wanted to expand but have had trouble getting a wide-angle shot that shows a clear setting. But that changed May 18! While packing for the event, I remembered Jeff's other notable piece of advice — try new techniques with different lenses. So I threw in a wide-angle lens that I got for free when I purchased the camera — one I rarely use (and still don't know the name of). To my surprise, my image quality significantly improved.
Just to the right of this photo was a wide, open field where about 15 people were surrounding a bonfire. I wanted to capture the path, but keep the people out of frame. My telephoto lens was providing photos that were way too tight- I could only get a tiny bit of the path in view. You could see maybe a stone or two. But, when I switched to my wide-angle lens and shifted to the left a little? Magic.
I think I'm more creative when I stop trying to be "creative" and just create.
I'm so proud of this photo. It tells a story, more than just "here's some trees and stones in the woods somewhere.". To me, it shows where I've been, where I'm going, where I will go should I keep showing up and applying what I learn.
My ultimate goal is to become a photographer for the National Geographic. I want to travel, document, and tell stories through photos. And I know I can get there.
I don't want every photo I take to need a purpose. My work can be meaningless to some, and mean the world to others. But, as long as I share, I know that I'll feel fulfilled ultimately.
And that's enough for right now.
😀 Life Updates:
🎧 Current Favorite Song: "I Gotta Find Peace of Mind" - Lauryn Hill
😋 Currently Craving: A BEACH VACATION
😞 Currently Avoiding: Overscheduling, emails.
🏠 Moving to the Frederick, MD area.