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As a software engineer, I'm continually learning and adapting to an ever-evolving landscape — learning new frameworks, adapting to ever-evolving technologies, and solving complex problems every day. But after years of chasing technical growth, I realized something was missing: balance.
I wanted to find a hobby outside of work — something that would help me unwind, reconnect with the world around me, and offer a new kind of challenge. That’s when I decided to pick up photography. Not professionally, but simply as a hobby — a way to slow down, to appreciate nature, and to see life through a different lens.
From the first moment I looked through the viewfinder, I felt a shift. I started noticing the way sunlight trickles through tree leaves, how a quiet street corner holds its own kind of poetry, how fleeting expressions tell silent stories. Photography taught me to pay attention — not just to grand moments, but to the quiet, everyday beauty I had been too busy to notice before.
In many ways, learning photography reminded me of my early days in coding. At first, everything felt overwhelming — aperture, ISO, shutter speed — just like the first time I stared at a blank code editor. But with patience and practice, things began to make sense. The beauty of both crafts lies in the same truth: you don't learn everything overnight, and you never really "finish" learning. There's always a new technique, a new perspective, a better way to tell a story.
I also learned not to chase perfection. In photography, as in software engineering, perfection is a moving target. Sometimes the light isn't right, the composition feels off, or the moment slips away before you're ready. And that’s okay. What matters is showing up, trying, learning, and appreciating the small improvements along the way.
Photography became a form of mindfulness for me — a time to unplug, be present, and see the world with new eyes. It reminded me that growth doesn’t always have to be about certifications, promotions, or the next big tech trend. Sometimes, it's about nurturing a quiet passion that feeds your soul.
As a software engineer, upskilling is crucial to stay marketable and relevant. But too much focus on career growth without personal balance can easily lead to burnout. Finding a hobby like photography has been my way of restoring that balance. It’s a reminder that, just like in engineering, progress matters more than perfection. We never stop learning, and we don't have to.
It’s about finding joy in the process — discovering our own version of ikigai, where passion, purpose, and growth meet.
And sometimes, all it takes is looking at life through a new lens.
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