Lately, I have been taking an offline class on photography. Unlike other photography classes, this one doesn’t teach photography techniques. Instead, it makes me constantly think about what to look at, how to view it before taking a picture.
Thanks to this approach, I haven’t been practicing the same old photos of breathtaking scenery or mouthwatering food that anyone can take. Instead, I am training myself to find what is special in the ordinary day-to-day.
This perspective training also does a lot of good for family relationships. In the past, I only took photographs of what I wanted to see from my children or spouse. But now, I can see things I hadn’t noticed before and appreciate them. Ordinary daily life in and of itself is not ordinary at all.
do a lot of good - to be very useful to or helpful for (someone)
in and of itself - Intrinsically, considered alone
요즘 나는 오프라인 사진 수업을 듣고 있다. 다른 사진 수업들과는 달리, 이 수업은 사진 기술을 가르쳐 주지는 않는다. 대신, 무엇을 어떻게 바라보고 사진을 찍을 것인지에 대해 끊임없이 생각하게 해 준다.
이러한 접근 방식 덕분에 누구나 찍을 수 있는 아름다운 풍경이나 맛있는 음식 등의 뻔한 사진을 연습하는 것이 아니라, 평범한 일상 속에서 특별함을 찾는 시선을 기르는 연습을 하게 되었다.
이러한 시선 훈련은 가족 관계에도 많은 도움이 된다. 예전의 나는 아이나 배우자에게서 내가 보고 싶은 것들만 사진에 담았었다. 그러나 이제는 이전에 주목하지 않았던 부분이 보이고 그것을 소중히 여길 수 있게 되었다. 평범한 일상은 그 존재 자체로 이미 평범하지 않기 때문이다.
- I constantly think about things I did in the past. / It’s not helpful to constantly think about your mistakes.
- There is a lot to enjoy even in the ordinary day-to-day. / I am tired of the ordinary day-to-day and want to travel.
- Being a parent is a big accomplishment in and of itself. / The product in and of itself can’t accomplish much.
A: Wow, this photo has a great vibe! Did you take it yourself?
B: Thank you. I recently started taking photography classes.
A: What do they teach you in photography class?
B: They teach us how to find what is special in the ordinary day-to-day.
A: That sounds like a really meaningful class!
B: I’ve gained a different perspective on everyday things.
