~ out of focus and abstract

~ missed focus on him and got the palms instead

~ overall look not as I had envisioned in my mind

~ intense lens flare

~ learning a new effects lens which I was not yet confident with

~ subject unintentionally out of frame

~ accidental double exposure

~ blurry, dark and lacking shadow detail

~ the dandelion seeds did not fly off as i'd hoped

~ heavy shadows with no detail

Apart from the very early beginnings of my photography journey (think high school lessons in darkroom basics) I generally began my photography undertakings in the digital realm. What this meant for me, (much like many others I imagine) was I was taught;

sharp and in focus is expected,
composition rules are to be obeyed,
histograms are to be paid close attention to,
and artefacts such as light leaks and grain are to be avoided.

For a long time, I prescribed to these rigid rules and had high expectations of my work. I would only share images that met a certain standard and quickly dismissed so many of the images I was producing.

I was looking through my old archives the other day, searching for images to fit an article I was writing. While doing so, I noticed so many photos which I had previously dismissed as being too soft, not composed with perfection, under/over exposed, didn’t fit the aesthetic, or just plain weird, to justify sharing them with the world.

BUT, WITH time comes the gift of nostalgia, wisdom, and as I am coming to learn, an increasing tendency to not give two f**ks what other people think.

Maybe its because over the past 4 years I have embraced film photography once again and have become far more accustomed to small imperfections in the medium. Or perhaps the creative vision was always in the images, I just didn’t yet have the eye to be able to see what I see now.

Whatever the case may be, the process is refreshing, therapeutic and comes highly recommended from me.

Rediscovering these overlooked photos has been a surprisingly liberating experience. It’s a reminder that beauty isn’t always found in perfection, but in the raw, unfiltered moments that capture something real. Embracing the flaws and quirks in my old images has reignited my creativity and helped me see the value in what I once dismissed. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes, the photos that don’t fit the mould are the ones that tell the most interesting stories. So, go ahead—dig through your own archives and see what gems you might find. You might just be surprised at what you’ve overlooked.