NO MORE EXCUSES — I’M TAKING A PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS!

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As a 50+ year old woman, I find increasingly that my life becomes more and more rich and interesting. Why? I think it’s because I’m not enmeshed in building a career, or proving myself to others that as an African American or as a woman that I can do the job, handle a challenge or am worthy of any accolades or position I hold. I am  not saddled with the fear of not being married nor am I no longer obsessed with hoping everyone likes and approves of me.

As a result, I’m free to enjoy aspects of life at a level not yet experienced to date and to try new things.  I’m clear that as I approach the third act of my life that doing things that have been on the back burner, exciting times, opportunities and new experiences are forever unfolding!

An example of something that I’ve had on the back burner for years is my desire to take a photography class. I have been saying I’m going to do this for what seems like forever. Well, I’m waiting no longer —  I have finally registered to take a class at Blue 1647.

Located in the Pilsen community in Chicago, Blue 1647 is an entrepreneurial and tech organization that provides a space for racially and ethnically diverse groups of children, teens and women to develop their technical skills. They even offer workshops for fledgling inventors.  They host a number of hack-a-thons and coding classes, and with all this innovation, Blue 1647  even offers a a 1919 program for women to develop expertise in graphic design, photography, public speaking, entrepreneurship and Word Press.

This is Blue 1647’s unique  approach to community development, involvement, building and closing technological gaps among people of color.  And it’s a really good one, I might add.

I love interesting photos, and I’ve often wondered what actually goes into creating a picture like Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Moneta Sleet’s iconic photo of Coretta Scott King and daughter Bernice (Bunny) at Dr. King’s funeral. Or how about a photo of a delectable plate of food (photo below taken by me) that makes you want to reach out to take a bite of it? “How did that photographer get that shot just right,” or “How did she/he capture the emotion I’m feeling?”  These are questions I’ve often asked myself when I have come across an impactful photo.

In our first class, co-led by Amber Marie Green and Rashad Sallee, we were introduced to Shutter Speed, Iso and Aperture; we were also even given a chance to shoot photos of activities going on at Blue 1647! Not bad for my first time handling a DSLR camera!

I’m excited about doing something completely out of my comfort zone.  Women, who are age 50+, LIFE IS JUST BEGINNING! Embrace it with everything you have!