Thursday 27 October 2011

Imperfectly Perfect

One party down, here. One to go. One more cake to bake - a really big one. Eighty candles is a lot.  I took pictures, but they probably won't be appearing here, so I have a different party pose for you today.

I found this one when I was uploading photos a while back. I don't know who took it; but I am glad that someone grabbed my camera. That's me, being taken by surprise by Little E, who arrived for my birthday (months ago) and brought the party with him.

For various reasons I don't have many photos of me on my birthday. Two, I think, over all my years. And now this one. It's grainy, it's blurry. It's certainly imperfect. Look - I've got my glasses on; my hair doesn't even look brushed; and I've got a cone on my head.

But I think it's perfect. Don't be too quick to delete the duds! This one proves -
- that you don't need to be looking your best to have a great time
- that if you've got cake, a messy house doesn't matter
- and that (of course) party hats are always good
I like that. It's keeping it real.

Which brings me back to Keeping Calm - any more suggestions for a new slogan are still welcome. I'll choose a winner at the weekend.

36 comments:

Jimjams said...

I agree about the duds - you've captured a magical moment here rather than a perfect image, but since when was life perfect?!

Fiona (angelfish) said...

You're absolutely right of course. In this digital age it's all too easy to delete the shots that are blurry, poorly composed, or just plain cluttered up. Looking back at childhood photos, most of them would fit under one of those descriptions!
Hope you're enjoying your party week xx

Unknown said...

Yes and they should all be scrapped too :) I have just scrapped one this morning that isn't great but I love it.

Enjoy all the parties.

Ladkyis said...

Blurred or not it still captures the excitement of having a shamouli (not sure of spelling as it is the squaddy name for a flare) going off on your birthday cake! It is exactly the sort of picture to scrap with.

humel said...

YES to 'imperfect' photos! Often they turn out to be just perfect after all :)

Cheryl said...

i totally agree with you - those seemingly imperfect ones turn out to be amazing. two like that still form the basis of my favourite ever layout - blurry, wonky, shady, yes, but perfect!

debs14 said...

I don't lead a perfect life so the chances of getting an imperfect photo is pretty high! My hair is never perfect, nor my make up {I could go on ...}
But this is a great imperfect photo - such a relaxed and happy shot - captures the real fun of a birthday celebration.
PS I wear glasses for about 80% of my day, why do I immediately take them off if someone points a camera in my direction?!

Lou said...

I keep all photos....imperfect ones too. It is a great photo and one that should hit the "to scrap pile" x

scrappyjacky said...

I wouldn't have many photos at all if I didn't keep the imperfect ones!!!!
So it's very lucky that it's the actual memory we're keepng....though my girls just don't 'get it' yet and complain no end about me keeping 'imperfect' photos of them!!
I agree with Deb....this is such a relaxed,happy and 'memory making' shot....and that makes it absolutely perfect.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite photos is a totally blurry one from Christmas several years ago. I scrapped it, and it's one of my favorite layouts, too.

laurie said...

we are always on the quest for perfection so it is refreshing to be reminded that something does not need to be perfect to be wonderful.

Rhona said...

I have a few photos which aren't perfect (normally a bit blurred) which are my favourites because they capture a genuine expression or show something fun. I think this photo of yours is perfect for what it captures :) xx

Alana said...

I agree that the imperfect shots are more real and really capture the moment. Your birthday pic is just perfect:)

Suzy said...

I love it Sian. I get really fed up with all the design team members using all the new shiny papers with perfectly posed photos. That's not what scrapbooking is all about to me. Its pictures like this one - which caputure the moment, the memory and have a story to tell - that's what scrapbooking is all about!!

My slogan - I use it often when I make a mistake while crafting (which is often) which I need to cover up or disguise - Keep Calm, its only a creative opportunity

Maria Ontiveros said...

Great picture! Such happiness.
Are you really going to put 80 candles on a cake???
Rinda

Nathalie said...

Amen!
To blurry photos and messy houses! Cheers!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Funny - my blog post today is about treasured photos that aren't necessarily the best.

I'm glad you have this photo, Sian, and I'm encouraging you to be in front of the camera more often! My sister is rarely in photos with her kids because her hair doesn't look right, make-up not on...whatever. Years from now her kids will not care what her hair looked like!

I love this picture of you and little E! ♥

Jennifer Shaw said...

A perfect photo indeed! Totally captures the moment and happiness! It is a real photo!! Love it!

Melissa said...

I think that is a wonderful photo. I just love the excitement mirrored in both your faces.

Gem's Crafts said...

I agree, keep the not quite in focus photos as well as the perfect ones, they still tell a story & capture the moment. I hope you enjoy the 80th birthday party :)

Alison said...

It's a great picture Sian ..of both of you! A great reminder to think twice about pressing the DELETE button!
Alison xx

Missus Wookie said...

Blurry birthday poses are a speciality here for some reason - glad it was found and that you had a good time.

80 candles is a lot, we tend to do mathematical ones.... you know 8 x 10 ;)

alexa said...

Lovely to see you and little Em together like this! And hoping you have a splendid party with the 80 candles - just how big is this cake?! :)

Ginger said...

I have lots of duds and wouldn't give them up at all... Marvin's favourite line is "keep it real"... which has now made me think of a layout! Hope the next party is full of photo taking and family fun!

Sue Althouse said...

I love that picture! It is full of the details of everyday life that become more precious as time passes.

Carmen said...

I love this perfectly perfect picture. The expression on both your faces is priceless :D

Susan said...

Those photos of "real life" are always the best, no doubt about that. They always capture true emotions. Great shot!

Wanda said...

It's hard to tell who is more delighted by your b'day surprise, you or Little E!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder - perfect timing as I've been going through the backlog of pictures from the past year.

Amy said...

Thanks for the words of encouragement on the yoga front, I think I'll brave it again. Maybe third time is when I'll get the bug? Love the picture of you and your little party friend! Just thought you might be interested in a new post, a Letter to Baby 7billion. I had a lot of fun writing it and am encouraging as many people as I know to give it a go, given your way with words you were my first thought! Let me know if you decide to hop on the bandwagon, I'd love to read others' words of wisdom :)

Jennifer Grace said...

Great photo, it's definitely one which deserves to be scrapped. I like it when someone else snaps pics too, especially on days like my birthday as I'm too busy having fun to think of photos, but they're nice to look back on.

And doesn't a cluttered house just mean more fun? It means you're really living in it! x

Bubbles said...

You really want to know what the 'icing on he cake' is for me with this photograph? It's that YOU love it so very much. Now THAT'S what makes it even more perfect.

Miss Smith said...

I completely agree - this really lovely photo just tells such a lot!

Lisa said...

it's a totally gorgeous photo. and it's no wonder you love it. I work hard to get myself into my own photos, at the expense of seeming vain sometimes and am really careful at which ones I discard. like you say, there's so much to see in even the most "imperfect" ones! thanks so much for sharing

Sandie said...

I agree Sian, my focus was once on improving my photography and getting great shots - I've mellowed and now it's about getting shots that tell a story or that have meaning. I love the naturalness of this shot. I'm sure it will always be a favourite.

Rachel Brett said...

Its a lovely photo Sian, sometimes the not-so-perfect photos are the most perfect :)

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