Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
I did the unthinkable. I created an image.. that’s not a square.
– insert dramatic music –
It probably doesn’t seem like a big deal, but over the last two months I’ve been rethinking everything I do. I realized how much I like my comfort zone and how I’m kind of stuck in my ways. I had a conversation with Sara Lando while she was in Dubai and she killed my babies (kidding, kinda). We went over my work, she asked me some questions about what I’m trying to do with my photography and where I’m trying to go and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since then. I realized I’m heavily influenced by the conceptual world of photography, and we’re all kinda.. doing the same thing. I don’t mean that in a negative way and I don’t mean to demean anyone’s art or personal stories or anything, I just.. don’t want to do things for the sake of fitting in. And it’s not even about standing out, I don’t care if I don’t stand out, but I care about being authentic. I care about doing what feels right.. to me.
And that is why this image isn’t a square.
I had a conversation with a friend about this image. I started editing it as a square, and I said that I think this image would look so much better if I had more of the ocean on both sides, and a square crop won’t give me that, unless I expand the frame more but if I do that, the girl would be too small.
So my friend said: “so.. don’t make it a square”.
Me: “but all my images are squares.. squares means consistency”.
Friend: “consistency means staying in a comfort zone”.
And that just made me decide that no, I don’t want to stay in my comfort zone. I’ve only been doing fine art photography for (almost) 3 years, I don’t need to follow the rules I set for myself when I first started, it’s way too soon for that. Maybe when I’m forty something I’ll feel the need to stay consistent, but that’s mainly going to be because I’ve developed a style over years and it’s exactly what I want to do.
But for now, I’m just going to experiment as much as possible. I’m rebel. Can’t stop won’t stop.
2014-2017 Thoughts amani alshaali conceptual conceptual photography fears fine art photographer fine art photography friends grey grey sky insecurities inspiration ocean photography photoshop photoshop edit sara lando storm thoughts
Amani AlShaali 
I love you girly ❤ I've been thinking the same thing. I'm actually going to finish up the series I have now as sqaures (just because it will drive me crazy if they're different), then I'm moving on to other versions if myself. Conceptual is my heart, but I love so many types of photography that you're right… I too got stuck in my comfort zone. I wasn't in a creative rut but I was in a comfort rut and I've been wanting to get out some more! So, for me, I'll be doing this same thing soon 🙂 after I finish these series… I think I'll be good and venture out again with my heart. I looked through my old images last night and sat there asking myself where that girl went? The girl who photographed what she saw as beautiful. While I still do that, this was different. This was raw… Not planned… Spontaneous… And I miss it. Awfully.
I'm so glad to see I'm not alone in this train of thought.
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