Creativity

I married into a very creative family.  Everyone in the Gerhardt family is always making something.  Choreographing dances, crocheting blankets, sewing clothes, making short films, taking photos, carving birds; you name it, they do it. (Well, pretty much anyway) Creativity is a very good thing.  I believe that everyone is a little creative, and has the potential to be creative.  We were made in the image of a very creative God, doesn't it make sense that we too are creative. 
I never really believed that I could be called a creative person.  I grew up with a twin brother who can do almost anything he sets his mind to.  It was a bit frustrating for me, to work so hard at something that he could do in 5 minutes.  But I've come to understand that ability does not necessarily equate creativity.  Just because my brother can dance better than I could ever hope to, it does not mean that he is more creative than I or I am less creative than he.  We just have different abilities.  I am clumsy as heck and he has amazing control over all the muscles in his body.  There are things I can do that he cannot. (nothing comes to mind right now....)  The point being, we can all be creative.  It just takes a little effort of the mind.  The Gerhardt parents have trained their children to be as creative as possible.  This kids don't sit around all day.  They write music, scrapbook, and write stories.  My husband never stops, he always needs to be creating something; be it an art piece, a song, or film. I love it!

With all that creativity surrounding me I have two options: a) be inspired or b) be intimidated.  At the moment I'm pretty intimidated!  For most of my life I've been content to read a book to pass the time.  Now my husband challenges me to branch out. Ditch the feel-good romance novels and learn to play volleyball (which is really quite terrifying; I'm not the most coordinated person you will ever meet).  It is fun though.  And scary.  This blog was part of the branching out.  My husband hoped that with a blog I would be encouraged to write more and work on my photography skills (which are sadly lacking).  It would also give me an opportunity to express myself; those that know me, know me to be an introvert. (I own that description!)

So far, the Canon 7D is still much to complicated and intimidating for me to use on my own.  I only use it when Nathan is around to set the ISO levels and such jargon. But still, I am trying.  I've found I'm best at what Nathan calls macro photography. (I think.) That means the small stuff. Close ups on flowers and leaves. Abstract photography. I like it best. I enjoy taking a million pictures of one flower from a hundred different angles until I get a photo that is just right.  People are my most difficult camera subject. I have little to no people skills. :) It is very difficult for me to direct them or catch them in the right light. I usually end up taking pictures of the things around them...

Day by day, I am learning to be more creative.

Oh and P.S.

Being creative people, my husband and brother-in-law appreciate the creative genius of others.  We often discover talented people and follow their blogs (mostly pro photographers and filmmakers) but we also enjoy discovering new music. One of my favorite bands is the Icelandic band, Of Monsters and Men.  I love this band!  I find pretty much all their songs catchy and intriguing. Their lyrics are often strange and unintentionally humorous.  And their music videos are fascinating. Check out this one for their song Little Talks.