Something that I have been wrestling with for about the past 9 months is that I am convinced I take more creative photos with my iPhone than my camera.  In sharing this with a man I deeply respect in the photography realm (http://www.jaypatelphotography.com), he suggested a small perspective shift, “why not use live view on your camera”? (for those of you that don’t know what that is, it simply means using the screen on your camera to compose rather than holding the camera to your eye) Well, this idea frustrated me in the moment, because I figured if I’m using live view, then I’m not a “real” photographer.

Now I ask, what is a “real photographer” anyway?  Is being a non-digital purist the only way to be legitimate in the realm of photography? After all, who doesn’t look at the photos on the screen after it is taken?   The truth is: even though I use a tool more advanced than available 15 years ago doesn’t mean I need to strip away the technology.

What I appreciate about live view is that my eye is not absent from the rest of the scenario… I am able to have a bigger picture (Not only can I observe the rest of my location better, but I have a more detailed view of what I’m photographing too!).

Last night, I was out photographing with a friend and I wasn’t happy with what I was seeing (except on my Instagram) and I remembered Jay’s words, and started shooting with live view.  Amazingly enough, I was very happy with the photos, and I couldn’t put my camera down.   Perhaps it’s because I let go of the expectation that I need to get everything right inside my camera and that I can’t “cheat” by using the depth of field preview button (which shows you the exact picture you will get before you click the shutter).  I desire technical perfection in a sphere where it’s not even necessary.

It comes down to a desire to see the end result as we are going through the motions, [in the case of live view, it’s possible!!!]  I mean check this out, even the Bible is pretty clear that we need to focus on the end in the midst of the craziness of our lives: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

So, let’s live our lives in (a)live view.  Be participatory,  see the bigger picture, and look at the end result.  All these benefits from humbly walking around with my camera at arms length rather than attached to my face.  Stand out and look different… and more deeply, realize that’s okay.

How do you hold yourself to unrealistic standards in your life?  I would wager these standards prevent you from being fully you.