Every once in a while… I have a hard time capturing a photo or thought. I was at the beach with my wife (at the time), kids some friends of the family. The ocean looked terrible, there were brown bubbles floating on the water, and washing up on the beach. 

Gross right? It’s not always that way, but this day...was just weird. Anyway I came upon something on the ground and liked the idea that came to my head to try to capture it and have the waves and the sand all making it look interesting. 

I took 12 or so shots but never could get the focus where I wanted it, but in the end it still was interesting to look at. What I learned was even when you don’t achieve what you started out to do, it’s not a failure it’s a learning experience. I know now, how to get the shot I was going for then.

…UPDATE

This blog was written Jun 14 2012. It is April 4, 2020, I am still doing photography, and have since read a book by Carol Dweck, called "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" it is easily one of the best books I have ever read. Because it focuses on what matters, how you think. People in the past have approached most challenges or learning opportunities with a huge mental boulder in front of them. It's me I'm people. 

What do I mean? The book talks about closed and open mindsets. A closed-mindset says, "I'll never learn photography", "I don't have a photographic eye", "I'm just not artistic", "It's too late for me to learn". 

On the other hand an open-mindset says, "Photography has always intimidated me, but I can learn this.", "If The Colonel can start KFC in his 60's, it's not too late for me to start learning photography." or "I'm  not a photographer, YET." Carol talks about the "Power of Yet", that bit of hope is transformative for our thinking. When we know that effort and adjusted strategy are the keys to learning, we begin to realize our potential. 

I have been working as a teacher and substitute since 2016, once I read Mindset, I saw that the student's number one obstacle to learning was their mindset. I observed that if a student wanted to learn something no one could stop them, but if they believed they couldn't learn something no one could help them, at least until they changed that belief. That's where I really was able to step in, giving them chances to believe in themselves, and constantly repeating that they were capable of things the never knew. 

I see now, that even back in 2012, I had an open mindset at least about photography. It has expanded to all areas, and is why I can now salsa, bachata, and merengue pretty well. It is also why I have been working to share what I know through this photography course for beginners, and beyond. I spent a lot of time searching and learning about photography but never had a specific instructor. This allows me to help people by giving you the best online photography course I can, and still be able to continue doing photography. 

Don't let another day go by without developing your own photography skills. See yourself taking amazing photos and proudly printing out moments and scenes that you've captured, with your own camera. Follow the link below to pre-order before April 25th. 

 www.mikejordanphoto.com/photocourse/how

P.S. you got this. It’s time…



P.P.S. If you have a friend that you know has always wanted to learn photography, but just never took the steps, feel free to send them this blog post. Tell them "You're not a great photographer...yet!!!

Carol Dweck’s Stanford Profile Page

#mindset #OnlinePhotographyCourse #Itstime