Filling My Big Shoes

 Explore #1: "The Farm"

Explore #2: "Too Cold to Fly"

There's a reason they say to be "careful what you wish for." A while ago, I joined the photo-sharing site Flickr. I posted various types of photos, but lately I seem to have found my preferred style of processing, and I'm becoming more pleased with the quality of my work. I still see vast ways to improve, mind you, but I feel like I'm heading in the right direction.

For a while, though, I've longed to have a picture make it into the "Explore" section of Flickr. Sure, it's not like a Pulitzer or something, but to me it's a pretty big honor and a nice form of recognition. Every week, I would go through the Explore pages, hoping to see one of my pictures, comparing my work to those of others...

Then it happened. A comment from a stranger on one of my pictures. A congratulations on being "Explored." I could barely contain my excitement! I reloaded the Explore page at least 75 times before finally seeing my shot. I squealed. I took a screen shot and saved it. I made my husband come look at it.

And I was satisfied.

Then, this morning, another image on Explore.

I was excited! I called up to my husband to tell him. But then the enormity sunk in. People are watching my photostream, people beyond the small circle of supportive Flickr friends whom I cherish and trust.

Expectations are being set for each image I post. At least, that's how I feel. And while this is partly good because it will make me more critical and careful, it's also a little stressful. I don't want to disappoint anyone, even an anonymous stranger sitting in front of a glowing computer screen.

Sheesh. Who knew my year of creativity would kick off like this?! :o)