No Regrets

“We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.”
― Marilyn Monroe

Last night, as the lunar eclipse show began, I sat working at my computer.  I had a list of reasons why I was not planning to photograph the eclipse.  These reasons included:

1.  I don’t really have the skills to capture the eclipse.
2. I don’t have the right kind of equipment to capture the eclipse.
3. I am exceptionally tired from the weekend.
4. It is cold outside…really cold.

But…

I kept going outside to experience the Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse of 2019 with my eyes.  It was so fascinating.

At around midnight, I started setting up my camera.  I had nothing at all to lose, (except time and warmth).  I set up right on my back porch and did my best.  It is what I tell my students to do each day.

What I discovered was that I was able to figure enough out to walk away with images that will help me remember the awe I experienced last night watching one of the miracles of nature.  I learned a lot about how to use functions on my camera that I have not used before.  I felt fully alive and exhilarated as I froze on my back porch for two hours.

Once I was finished photographing, I uploaded, processed and composited the images together.  It took me another hour to warm up and calm down from the excitement of what I witnessed.

In the past, I have had too many photographic regrets.

One day I jumped out of the car to photograph some kittens and then saw a lady sitting in her yard surrounded by about fifty cats.  Our eyes met.  I will always regret not having the courage to ask her if I could take her picture.  I knew, from her eyes, that she would have allowed me to take that photograph.  That image is vivid in my memory.

I regret the time my family went to Horseshoe Bend and I was too nervous to get close enough to the edge to take a proper picture of it.

I regret that when I had the opportunity to photograph a total solar eclipse in my area, I did not do everything in my power to make that happen.

Life is precious and sweet.  I work hard to live each day to the fullest.

I am thankful that I have absolutely no regrets regarding last night.

I hope you will embrace your next photographic opportunity and leave with no regrets.