Embracing My Weakness in Photography


I had no idea what I was doing.

There I was, standing in a room filled with other bloggers at the Viking Picture Perfect event as Elouisa presented us her photography masterclass. I had my camera in my hands and I was trying to figure out what on earth an ‘F-stop’ was, my eyes occasionally flicking to the screen as I tried to keep up. Have you ever seen a chicken hold a camera? Well, that’s how I felt. After a few snaps I sighed and slipped back into the comfort of Auto mode.

Mocktail at the Dirty Martini

The problem with a comfort zone is that you’re not very likely to step out of it, and I was feeling very comfortable in that small section on my camera with a green “A”. But I knew my time had come to break out of that when I found myself in this photography masterclass. It wasn’t easy. I often switched back and forth between auto and manual and would grind my teeth in frustration that my photos weren’t coming out exactly how I wanted to. My emotions slipped through my fingers as I fumbled around to try and figure out what exactly I was doing wrong.

Every blogger has a weakness, and mine was photography.

Christmas table setting at the Viking Picture Perfect event in Dirty Martini Learning how to use prisms in photography

I never really thought about photography when I first started blogging; I mean, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started to ditch the mirror selfies and take actual outfit shots. But fast forward to this very moment as I hold up a white foam board to try and do my best to reflect the UV light my friend Fay was holding up was very difficult. Was it making a difference? Was I angling it okay? Thank goodness it was all about team work because I was very much a clueless chicken. Then it was my turn to take some photos and guess what? I stayed in auto mode. My comfort zone. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and I switch back and forth to try the two options out. Manual and auto. Then it was more auto and less manual.

The less I gave a f*ck about being in manual mode, the happier I was, and soon I was darting around the room and happily clicking away. I took photos I would never have thought I’d take (like that portrait of the abstract lady that I took through a prism) and didn’t care if they weren’t 100%. I never really had the chance to take photos like this before as I’m usually the one standing in front of the camera, not behind it, which gave me a nice sense of freedom.

Viking Picture Perfect Photography Masterclass

As I got back home I still had that nagging sense of guilt that maybe I should’ve given manual mode more of a chance, but you know what? I did my best. My biggest weakness is photography and this photography masterclass encouraged me to embrace that, and I can’t thank Viking/Elouisa enough for that. I don’t think I’ll be getting out of the auto-comfort-zone anytime soon, but at least I can give it a try every now and then.

What is your biggest weakness? How are you embracing it?

Love,
Lizzie xx


What do you think?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 Comments
  • Deasy @ Rose Gold Rhyme
    November 28, 2018

    As a photographer, I commend you for trying to ditch the A mode, but photography is more than just taking the photo through manual mode. It’s the composition and the emotion you’re trying to elude to. So don’t worry too much about it! Just enjoy taking the photo through your lens 🙂

    http://www.rosegoldrhyme.com

    • hellolizziebee
      November 29, 2018

      Thank you so much for your kind words! I shall do my best!

  • Kimchi Cakes
    November 28, 2018

    My biggest weakness is chocolate Not a real weakness. I guess ranting alot. hmmm.

    • hellolizziebee
      November 29, 2018

      Ah that’s okay, though! It’s good to rant every now and then

  • Isobel
    November 29, 2018

    I adore photography and really need to get back into it! Girl you can do it!

    Isobel x

    Latest post – http://fashionistachic14.blogspot.com/2018/11/blogger-event-las-iguanas-aw-menu.html?m=1

  • Nat
    December 2, 2018

    Aww this sounded like so much fun! I love photography but I don’t do it half as much anymore as I should do!

    The photos you took look amazing though sweet. 😀

    My biggest weakness is my love of buying geeky stuff. 😛

    https://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/

    • hellolizziebee
      December 2, 2018

      Awh thank you so much Nat! And I feel you on that one – I can’t stop buying Harry Potter goodies!

  • Emily Harrison
    December 3, 2018

    It was such a fun night, I had no idea what I was doing either but it was good to learn new things!