Finding The Extra In The Ordinary
Finding The Extra In The Ordinary
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’re here because you want to know a little bit more about FTEITO – finding the extra in the ordinary. If so, please view and read on.
How about introductions? My name is Hal Moran and I’ve lived a fairly ordinary life. I guess in part because I’m a simple guy who likes simple things. Einstein once said, “Make things as simple as possible, but not one step simpler.” I’m kind of that way I suppose. I don’t want a fancy or flashy life. But, let’s not confuse that with an extraordinary life.
I tend to equate extraordinary with something that is unique or genuine. Something that can be easily distinguished from the pack. There’s just a little something – well – extra about it. Or, as one dictionary defines it, Beyond what is usual; noteworthy or remarkable.
I think if we are honest with ourselves we would see most of the things around us as ordinary. You know – the places we live, work, play, and visit. But, does ordinary mean dull or boring? Absolutely not! It depends on how you look at these things. If you followed me around you may suggest that I live in an ordinary house, drive an ordinary car, eat ordinary (gluten-free) food, and wear ordinary clothes (my wife would disagree), but none of these things are ordinary to me. I try to find that little something extra in the otherwise ordinary.
How does something move from ordinary into the realm of extraordinary? More on that later. In our fast paced culture we tend to get caught up in the busyness of life and pass by the subtle but extraordinary world around us.
As I started out saying, I consider myself a pretty ordinary guy. So, can anything “extra” come from an ordinary guy like me? Before you take a look at some of my images below, let me share a little bit of my background. I grew up with and still struggle everyday with Tourette Syndrome and other co-occurring disorders. However, I wasn’t diagnosed until I was about 20 years old. I was relieved when I found out and that helped explain many of the struggles I had growing up – especially in the educational system. Words on a page didn’t mean much, but if I could hear it or see an image of something it was locked in my memory. Perhaps that, along with being somewhat of an explorer, spurred my interest in photography decades ago. I knew I would never travel the world like some of the photographers I admired at National Geographic capturing exotic subjects in the wilds of Borneo. So, I decided to search out the extra in my own ordinary backyard.
When we look at photographs that “something extra” may involve things such as: composition, color, contrast, texture, tonal range, quality of light, and various subject matter. These are parts that help create the overall aesthetic value we connect with in a photograph. However, I believe there’s another value that is equally important as the aesthetic value. That’s the value of story. It’s the story intertwined with the image that allows us to connect at the emotional level.
Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” She’s right, I believe. You have extraordinary stories waiting to be told. Let them out!
My live presentation is designed for all audiences and can be altered for secular and sacred groups. During my chat I share details about what makes the extra in my photographs/stories and then wrap up by sharing 5 take-aways on how you can find the extra in your ordinary.
Interested? Give in knowing more – me a shout at hmoran4130 (at) gmail.com
With grace,
Hal
