Life is messy, and when we stop trying to make it perfect, perfection will be the result.
Recently, I watched a YouTube video about a concept called “Perfect Imperfection.” The video was specifically dealing with photography and how sometimes photos that would be technically defined as “imperfect”, such as out of focus, messy perspective, poor lighting, etc., are actually made more “perfect”, specifically because of these imperfections. He went on to profile several photographic series, talking about how “technically” the photos had many flaws but how those flaws made the photos much stronger and helped them to tell quite compelling stories. One of the artists profiled takes photos through the window of his car giving them a surreal quality. As a very technical photographer, this concept intrigues and repels me at the same time.
One rainy morning on my way to work, not too long after watching this video, I was thinking about this concept and thought it might be interesting to strive for perfect imperfection by shooting a scene through my car window and focusing on the raindrops with nothing in sharp focus. I used a slow shutter speed to compensate for the dark morning and a low f-stop to further blur the image outside. My thoughts... I love rainy days. They are quiet, yet chaotic. Gloomy, yet cleansing. And they scream unexpected potential. When looking at the photo later, I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked it.
When I think about this concept and how it applies to my work as a wildlife photographer, I considered how I often concentrate too much on making sure my photos are “technically perfect”, as in the subject’s eye is in proper focus, the light is right, and there’s a clear and interesting background, and not as much as I should on whether or not the photograph tells a story. Unintentionally, I took quite the imperfect wildlife photo during a weekend trip to Galveston, and like my intentional photo in my car, I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked it. The location is a beautiful coastal wildlife refuge but presents a bit of a photography challenge as it’s also on a shipping channel with heavy barge traffic, so the issue becomes photographing the wildlife in what appears to be a natural setting. This photo isn’t great for a few reasons; the sun was just coming up so it’s a bit dark and grainy, the bird isn’t crisp and well in focus, plus there’s a boat passing right behind the bird. As I was sorting through all the photos I took that morning, I found myself continually coming back to it and eventually opted to keep it. As I set about developing it, I thought about the story it told and how the “imperfections” make it, to me, a much more interesting photo. I love the serene setting of a new dawn with the boat in the background and how it represents the tension between man and nature.
As I ponder this amazing life I’m living, I think about all the imperfections that have made up my adventures… my marriage, raising children, running a business, time with friends… and I have to smile remembering that those times when carefully laid plans went completely off the rails were often the times when we experienced the best and most rewarding memories.
Maybe that’s the lesson… life is messy, and when we stop trying to make it perfect, perfection will be the result. So, here’s wishing you a perfectly imperfect day!
Cheryl wears many hats: she’s a business owner, photographer, and author; but more importantly, she’s a wife, mother, sister, and friend. During the day she runs a boutique advertising agency; in the evenings she puts on her wife and momma hat, enjoying life with her husband, two daughters, and their dog; on the weekends she can often be found with camera in hand, exploring the wilds of nature; and in between all this craziness, she squeezes in some time to sit at her computer to write and design books for children and adults.
“I believe very strongly that you need to follow your passions,” she says. “Everything I’ve ever done, I’ve been very passionate about, although, often, completely unprepared for. My degree is in Religious Studies, yet I ended up in a career in advertising. One day I picked up a camera and decided to take wildlife photos. Several years later, my pictures are winning awards and (shockingly) selling. In 2019 I decided to try my hand at writing a children’s book. The result, ‘My Backyard Bird Book’ was picked up by a publisher and has gone on to sell thousands of copies. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learn on this crazy journey called ‘Life’ is that you can’t be afraid to take chances. Certainly, I’ve failed at many things over the course of my life and career, but I’ve also succeeded at many things, and because I’ve always followed paths that bring me joy, whether I’ve succeeded or failed, I’ve always had the best time!”
Cheryl Johnson
Cheryl Johnson
P.O. Box 3926 Victoria, Texas 77903
If you would like to see my books or art, please stop by my offices Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm Outburst Advertising 5003 John Stockbauer, Suite J Victoria, Texas 77904
These beautiful books by writer and photographer Cheryl Johnson, are designed to not only engage your child but to encourage their imagination, exploration, and discovery of the world around us.
