The most expensive thing I have ever saved up money to buy is my digital camera. People often find it funny that despite its price, it sat unused in my closet for four years. But this year, I decided to take out my camera and take some photos. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I began by taking pictures of nature in my backyard, but then I started bringing my camera along with me to new places and even did a photo shoot for my friends.
By practicing changing my perspective when taking photos, I found myself more willing to think creatively when dealing with problems in everyday life.
When I was out taking photos, I found myself experimenting with different angles to try to make the ordinary seem extraordinary. This included going out of my way to crouch next to flower beds, taking photos with the camera upside-down, and even lying on the ground next to a pond to capture a close-up of a turtle that had ventured out to sunbathe. The best photographers are not those who have the best subjects available to them to photograph, but rather those who can make extraordinary photos out of ordinary subjects.
When I mastered the art of changing the angle with my camera to get better photos, I started applying this concept to challenges I faced in my daily life. Instead of viewing my upcoming math test as a dreadful burden, I asked myself what would happen if I saw it as a chance to cement my trigonometry knowledge. Instead of viewing my morning free as an excuse to sleep in, I opened myself to the possibility of using it to complete schoolwork in the library.
When I tired of taking photos of the same flowers in my neighborhood, I started to visit new places in order to capture different subjects for my photos. I took my camera to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I had never been before. Taking photos of sparkling pieces in the jewelry exhibit allowed me to appreciate each work of art more than I would if I had only been looking at the exhibit and walking past. I went to the Arboretum in Jamaica Plain to take photos of ponds and exotic plants. I took my camera to the beach and captured the waves rolling over its sandy shores. This enhanced my photo gallery as well as my weekly schedule. My mindset improved when I knew that after grinding out work during the week, I had places to look forward to visiting over the weekend.
As a high schooler, time often seems to be my worst enemy. There is never enough time to meet the coming deadline or squeeze in all the activities I want to do. But when I am out with my camera taking photos, I completely forget about time. Taking photos requires me to focus on the present moment—a swan spreading its wings or the bright smile across someone’s face. I found that after taking my camera out for photoshoots, I came back more refreshed and ready to manage my time. In addition to a photo album, I had gained the ability to think from different perspectives and the habit of broadening my horizons. Surprisingly, I felt like I gained more time when I dared to let go of it.
