Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Be Our Guest - Cathy Hubmann

Our guest blogger today is Cathy Hubmann who hails from Arkansas. I feel like I've known Cathy for a very long time when in reality it's been maybe 4 or 5 years. Cathy and I met in Tracey Clark's 'Picture' classes, then Cathy continued with us as a follower on our private Flickr group, Prompt Addicts, where she is now a facilitator. She's been a faithful reader and commentor here at FOL since our first day so she is really a member of our family. I've watched Cathy grow by leaps and bounds as a photographer and I feel like she is truly a friend. Let's turn it over to Cathy, I think you'll enjoy her visit today.

The Gift of Curiosity



There are a variety of reasons why we as photographers feel the need to pick up our cameras and take pictures.  It might be a need to document daily life or to capture images of family. It might be the desire to create beautiful works of art or the challenge of learning the technical side of photography. Maybe we like the way it makes us look at the world, people, or architecture in a different way. Maybe we use photography to help us heal or provide therapy.  Maybe it's how we show gratitude. The reasons are many and varied.



At first I thought it was a love of nature that motivated me. I do love nature, but my photography includes other things as well. After studying some of my favorite images I discovered that I am fascinated by shapes and details, but that still wasn't quite right. It wasn't until recently that I realized what is probably my strongest motivator. It is CURIOSITY. Plain and simple curiosity and not the kind that killed the cat or got into other people's business. Genuine curiosity is quite different. It drives me to know more and to explore more. That's where my camera comes into play. I use it to explore an object from different points of view or get up close with a macro lens. My curiosity doesn't usually stop there. After I've taken the picture I have to know more. What is it called? Why is it there? What is it good for? That's where books and Google come in handy!


Almost every day without fail, my camera and I are outside. The only thing that keeps me in is a thunderstorm. I don't mess with lightening. At least once every couple of weeks I try to go on a photo excursion, but most days you'll find me in my own yard. We have about three acres of cleared land that I wander around. What keeps me covering the same ground over and over? What could possibly be new today? Let me tell you, many things! Each day I look through different eyes and see new things. New things aren't always easy to spot either. Well, some are, like fallen limbs covered in lichen or colorful fall leaves, but most aren't. I have to turn things over or get down on the ground and look underneath. Otherwise my eyes just scan over the whole scene not seeing the details. Only when I slow down and look closely, do I discover the amazing, fascinating beauty of nature.


One of the most common ways that curiosity is crushed is through fear. I deal with the fear of going to new or crowded places. When I give in to fear I seek the familiar, stay in my comfort zone, and I'm unwilling to explore. My photography begins to become stagnant and honestly, gets a little boring! I have to push myself to overcome fear, so I can keep learning and exploring. Sometimes I do this on my own. Sometimes by taking classes. Either way it is not easy overcoming fear, but it can be amazingly rewarding.


My motivators are nature, shapes, and details, but mostly the gift of curiosity. Have you thought about what motivates you? Whatever it is, I hope you'll throw in a little curiosity, too!

"I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.”
                                                               ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you so much for letting me share some thoughts and photos with you today. I am honored!

17 comments:

susan said...

Beautiful images and thought inspiring post! As far as my 'motivation'... that would be a break in this extremely hot humid weather where I live. Now that the temps have fallen below 95 (just these past few days)... the skip in my step is coming back and the outdoors is looking inviting once again. It's been months since I've gone on a photo walk... so here's to a much needed photo walk in the near future! ~ xo's

Sarah Huizenga said...

Beautiful, beautiful and beautiful. You are so much more amazing than you give yourself credit for. You have conquered a lot with your camera and definitely tried many new things. Keep on feeding that curiosity my friend!

Peggy said...

What gorgeous close up images. The details of those are things that we would walk by and not even notice. Your lens allows us to really look.

Cathy H. said...

Thank you Dotti for asking my to "be your guest." It's an honor to be here. FOL and each of you wonderful ladies are a constant inspiration to me. There is always so much to find here; amazing images, encouraging words, laughter, friendship and even sometimes a few tears. This is a very special place to me!

Carol said...

You are special to us too, Cathy. I always look forward to your comments, and this post is really inspiring. i've been a bit busy lately, but you have inspired me to find the time to walk TODAY. Its forced relaxation -but it works every time. Once you are out there something will happen!

heyjudephotography said...

Yes, Cathy, I agree with everyone - you have grown so much as a photographer and these images are beautiful. And I agree with Carol that you are special to us too. We feel the love that you send us by following us regularly and your kind comments. I am taking a photo walk today and will think of you as I search for my subjects. Thank you for sharing this with us today.

gina said...

Wonderful post, Cathy -- both your images and your narrative. You really do have a talent for finding the beauty deep in nature. I, too, have seen your growth as a photographer in the years I've been following you. Congratulations!

Deanna said...

Thank you for joining our FOL family today with this beautiful post. Your photography continues to grow and your thought filled post shows your love of this passion we all have.

Kim Stevens said...

I so agree with you Cathy, curiosity...it leads me in many different directions and I always in the process learn so many new things. Thank you for your continued support of all of us here at FOL. I just love that last image, such a story it tells!

terriporter said...

So great to have you sharing here today, Cathy! Like a lot of the others, I feel that I have known you for a very long time and have watched you grow so much in your photography. I think Tracey Clark inspired all of us in her classes to really be curious about our surroundings and to capture all the tiny details of life that we find through our lenses. So agree with you about curiosity -- it keeps us young and learning! Your photos are stunning and show that you practice what you preach and they definitely show the "amazing, fascinating beauty of nature."

Linda/patchwork said...

Great post, Cathy.
I've been following you for a while, on Flickr. Your photos are inspiring.
I agree with you about curiosity and getting outside your comfort zone. It makes a world of difference.

AFishGirl said...

Your shots of nature and your keen power of observation have delighted me since our very early days in classes together. Lovely post, Cathy. Yes, to get outside and really SEE things. Nodding in agreement.

Roxi H said...

Great post Cathy! I have tons of curiosity but the fear always rears it's ugly head. It's good to know I'm not alone.

Dotti said...

Such a great post, Cathy! And my sincere thanks to you for being our guest today. We always need to hear from fresh voices and it was lovely to hear yours today. Curiosity certainly does drive us and the fear thing ... we all have it. Sad to say.

kelly said...

oh my goodness cathy...you've just hit the nail on the head. i see it in your photos. your fascination with nature...how your explore your world with your curious eye. you inspire me every day to look at things a little closer. i'm so happy that our paths crossed at BPC. i've been so blessed to share this journey in photography with you. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Cathy, your images are just lovely, and you have so many qualities that I truly admire, curiosity, introspection, courage (yes, to push yourself out there), humility, authenticity and a giving spirit. I see how you unstintingly support your friends and I really respect you for that. I'm so glad to see your guest post here.

Linda said...

I love how you look at the same place and see different things. Just so inspirational! It's so nice to see your beautiful pictures here!

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