How Goals Evolve :)

Back in November 2008, when I joined RB, I didn’t know what to expect. I hoped I’d get some comments on my work, which I regarded as strictly amateur. I really wanted to get ideas, suggestions, critiques, anything to help with my self-education in this craft.
As for getting a Feature, I was hoping this might happen eventually, because I felt it meant some hosts/moderators felt an image was good enough to make the grade.
Getting the first one was a pleasant surprise, getting a few more was even better.So a few months ago I thought I’d try to achieve a goal of 100 Features by my first anniversary. Since it all depended on being selected by other folks, and nothing I could do about that, it was going to be a case of carefully selecting my postings, sending my best, and then wishful thinking and watchful waiting..lol!
Well today, July 24, 2009, I decided to sit down and make a list of my Features, and to my astonishment I have 117 !!! One of them was on the RB Home Page! And still about 4 months to go! Good thing I was sitting down quite firmly because falling off my chair might have cracked a few of these old bones..
Well, I’ve always believed in setting goals, but usually it meant I had to sink or swim on my own efforts. I suppose that’s still true on RB, but we should always keep in mind that getting features, and winning challenges or getting into Top Tens, always depends upon the consideration, judgment and/or votes of others..folks we may never meet or even contact, though I’m happy to say I have had nice exchanges with quite a few of you, and made some great friends all over the world.
So to all of you out there who helped me achieve my goal, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You now have me all fired up to see what I can actually manage by November. But I always remember it all depends on me posting decent work, and you liking it.
Thanks again!!
George Cousins
North Saanich,British Columbia
July 24, 2009

  • T. Wall ~Through My Lens ~

    T. Wall ~Throu...

    Way to go George! You are well deserved of these features!

  • George Cousins replied

    Thanks very much, your kind comments are appreciated!

  • Barbara Applegate

    Barbara Applegate

    Great Journal my friend, your work is good and better than most. So keep up the good work. Impressive bit of writting too.

  • George Cousins replied

    Hello Barbara, and thank you for your kind words.

  • Stan Wojtaszek

    Stan Wojtaszek

    Waaay to go, George !!!!
    Congratulations, my friend !! :)

  • George Cousins replied

    Hi Stan, and thanks! I thought it would be nice to get to 100 but never realized I’d gone over it!

  • Chuck Wickham

    Chuck Wickham

    Photography can be a rewarding experience and it should be. It’s nice to see someone reap those rewards and enjoy the time spent taking pictures. Keep up the good work and good luck in the future George.

  • George Cousins replied

    Many thanks Chuck, and very much appreciated. I have always enjoyed taking pictures but in the last couple of years I’ve really started to sort them out and see if anything was worthwhile. Of course family and friends say I have some decent stuff, but it’s a whole different ballgame to have compliments from around the world.

  • Mike Oxley

    Mike Oxley

    Truly a great achievement, George, and a well deserved one at that. The high quality of your images – vintage to today – never ceases to amaze me. Great job!

    Cheers,

    Mike.

  • George Cousins replied

    Hi Mike, and many thanks for your kind words. I must say I was quite astonished when I sat down and added up the features. It’s good to set a goal, especially when you don’t have a lot of control over how to achieve it!

  • Shoaib .

    Shoaib .

    great work !!!! its great to be able able to go as an artist here and accomplish things as one too

  • George Cousins replied

    Hello Shoaib, and thanks very much. I appreciate your comments!

  • Teresa Zieba

    Teresa Zieba

    Great achievement George and very well deserved and it’s a fabulous feeling everytime you pass one of your set goals. Good luck with the next.

  • George Cousins replied

    Hi Teresa! Thanks very much. I always feel a sense of pride when I get a feature, because all I do is try to present good work. It’s very nice to know that people from all over the world, in many groups, feel what I post is worthy of consideration. To me, it makes a happy, and also humbling experience.

  • kalaryder

    kalaryder

    Well done George, it is wonderful to count features and hope you well surpass this figure by the end of your year on RB

  • George Cousins replied

    Thanks a whole bunch! I was amazed when I actually sat down and counted..thought I had around 65 or 70 at the most. It’s when one image gets several features that things start to add up, but I never noticed it had made that much difference..lol! Now I’ll just try harder :)

  • Laura Lea Comeau

    Laura Lea Comeau

    good stuff george! from the Marathon Crew! ;-)

  • George Cousins replied

    Hi Laura, and many thanks! I was quite surprised and that’s putting it mildly..lol!

  • Pip Gerard

    Pip Gerard

    this is lovely George. And your work is beyond Amateur in my eyes.
    congratulations on seeing your goal and dream achieved.

  • George Cousins replied

    Good morning Pip! Thank you very much for your kind comments. I’ve always liked to have goals in my life, and getting a bit of recognition for my work is very satisfying.

  • Cheryl  Lunde

    Cheryl Lunde

    What a heartfelt journal. I agree with Pip, your work is beyond amateur. I always enjoy viewing your work and am grateful to be able to call you a friend!

  • George Cousins replied

    Very many thanks Cheryl! Meeting people like you on RB makes it all worth while..things like Features are the icing on the cake! Cheers!!

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