An unlikely hobby

Lauren Fitzgerald

Arts & Entertainment Editor

I have never taken a photography class in my life. If you ask me about my knowledge of Photoshop, I’ll stare at you with a blank expression. I have little to no experience what so ever. All I know is that I have a not-so-secret love of picking up a camera and snapping a photo of what’s in front of me.

Last Christmas, before I went abroad, my parents gifted me with a Canon camera. They wanted me to make the most of my special moments, so that I could have memories. Prior to that, all of my snaps had been taken off of a grainy iPhone camera. Occasionally the photo quality would be pristine, but it had to be a sunny and clear day. I had no idea how to use the big, black and chunky tool in my hands, but I dedicated most of my winter break to learning how.

I took around 4,000 photos when abroad. I’m not proud of it because I went through two memory cards, but I am happy with how they turned out. I could look back and remember every street I was on, every sight I saw and even every meal that I ate. Most of all, I will remember how happy I was in those moments. These photos will remind me to keep going on adventures, because there’s so much more beauty to see in this world.

With every sense of adventure, comes the sense to capture the moment, make it seem just as beautiful as it was to us then. Maybe some of us solely do it for social media bragging rights, while others do it for the purpose of having a souvenir, something to look at and remember clearly in the future. Yes, I do enjoy posting my photos on Instagram, so that others could enjoy my adventures, but I also tend to hold memories close.

Some people who are reading this would try to lecture me on living in the moment. While I agree that living in the moment is important, snapping one photo doesn’t mean that I’m not living in it. I do take those moments to look around and wander, admire the manmade and natural beauty that is a part of this world. I also take some moments to capture flowers, old buildings, people and cliff-side sunsets on a small screen. There is beauty between the lens.

There is also good that can come with following a hobby like this too. Recently, one of my photos was accepted into a national magazine. It’s no National Geographic, but it’s still an important achievement. Had I thought that my simple hobby would turn into such a venture? Not exactly. Once again, I had no prior experience to any of this. This is not a career for me, simply a creative outlet. Yet, you’ll never know what can come out of passion.

Maybe you think that I’m wasting my moments behind the lens, but I don’t. When I capture the perfect shot, I feel accomplished. Even if this is just a hobby, hobbies are important to have in life. They help you get away from the real world, even if it’s just for a moment. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t at all mind working for a travel magazine. Anyone who knows me knows that my perfect career would be getting paid to travel the world. If that doesn’t happen, though, I know that photography is still something that I can hold on to until the end. All I need to do is pick up the lens.