Comparison is the thief of joy. There may be some dispute as to who originally said it, but there is no doubt as to the wisdom of this brief quote. And I had to remind myself of its truth when I saw today’s Photo Friday “Best of 2014” challenge prompt and began clicking on the links to pictures that other photographers had already shared.
Wow!
Honestly, it was a little – no, make that a LOT – daunting, discouraging, depressing. Here’s me with my little ol’ iPhone camera and zero training, scrolling through screen after screen of professional quality photos taken by obviously accomplished photographers, comparing my fledgling efforts with their vast skills and debating whether I should just skip the challenge altogether.
“Thief of joy” indeed.
Fortunately this quote sprang to mind and helped me to push aside the insecurities brought by comparison with others and just have fun with the prompt. While the photo I’m sharing isn’t necessarily my “best” of 2014, it’s certainly one of my favourites for several reasons – the subject matter, the discovery, the fun I had with editing, and the Christmas surprise that followed – so I hope you enjoy it.
As background, those who know me well know that I adore monkeys in general, and that the Three Wise Monkeys – see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil – are my particular favourites. Until I saw the subjects of my chosen photo in a shop window in Victoria’s Chinatown, I never knew that a fourth do no evil monkey is sometimes included in the set, but was delighted with the discovery. More monkeys is always a good idea, I say!
So here you go – (one of my) best of 2014 photos…
Photo Friday: Best of 2014
…and the special gift from my sister, which I opened with great surprise on Christmas morning, and is now sitting atop my new piano as a cheery mascot and happy memory of a great trip to visit my family in Victoria.
“Do No Evil” monkey
I hope that smiling face will always remind me to shun comparison in favour of embracing joy.
What’s your Best of 2014, photograph or otherwise?
Please share!
Those are great photos and I love the stories behind them!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 27, 2014
Thank you so much, Dorit!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Best of 2014
Twitter: RamblinGarden
December 26, 2014
I am also an “amateur” photographer armed with an iPhone, and zero training. In some ways the Internet has allowed everyone to share work on an equal basis. Every month I participate in a meme called Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, where gardeners show what is blooming in their garden. Some of the photographers are clearly professional. Others are professional gardeners. I’m neither. I’ve decided I do not care. I will share my work and my joy anyway, and I am glad you are doing the same. And nice to know there is a fourth monkey. What a nice surprise present. Happy (almost) New Year to you.
Alana recently posted… Don’t Take it for Granted
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 27, 2014
I like your idea, and I think it’s one we should all adopt when it comes to expressing our creativity. Happy (almost) New Year to you too! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Best of 2014
Twitter: nabanita21
December 27, 2014
You are so right Laurel…Comparison takes away the joy from everything…I love what you have smiling at you on your piano…I love your photographs Laurel and I enjoy how you give a background to those…So never stop 🙂
nabanita recently posted… What even Google might not tell you about Melbourne but I will..
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 27, 2014
Thank you so much for your encouragement! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Best of 2014
Twitter: ellytreehugger
December 27, 2014
Laurel, I love those monkeys: they’re so adorable! I think photography is sometimes a matter of luck of the draw. Unless you carry one with you all the time or an iphone etc., it is easy to miss some great shots. I know I have! One of my favourites (not mine) is a shot of an eagle head on! I have never seen that before and due to that position – so unique – I think it deserves honourable mention. However, again this was a matter of being at the right place at the right time. I love taking photos and I have one or two things that I particularly look for and/or prefer; however, it’s whatever works best for you Laurel. I think the main thing is to experiment and have fun with it…so enjoy! 🙂 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… Boxing Day and Kwanzaa
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 27, 2014
Yes – having fun with this sort of thing is what’s most important to me!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Best of 2014
I love the do no evil photo. And monkeys are always a great gift.
heidi recently posted… Lemon Orzo With Pine Nuts
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 27, 2014
I totally agree, Heidi! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Best of 2014
Twitter: Wordwrights, Ink
December 27, 2014
LOVE those cheery, happy faces. And love the photo! Nothing to be ashamed of there for sure! 🙂
Diane recently posted… One Hot Fire
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 27, 2014
Thank you so much, Diane! 🙂
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