Who's behind the camera?

I "recently" recieved this question from a fellow W.E. partipant. I say that because it has been a month and I am just now answering.

... I became very uncomfortable with *other* people's art on my blog--it felt extremely awkward to me. Would you mind if I tried to find and take my own photos for the W.E. answers??? Let me know, if you can, because I don't want to step on your toes or insult your vision.

While I have sent a personal response I thought I would also post here because I have gotten this question before, so I will probably get it again. I expected that this, and questions like it, would arise. 

I answer by highlighting one of the things I love most about the project: Letting Go. No matter how clearly we form our thoughts, our words, there will always be some different meaning derived, large or small, as it is filtered through another persons experience. I am challenged each week as I search for a photo that clearly speaks to me what I am wanting to portray.  I usually find something that has an element, an energy about it that fits. And it is most often very far from what I thought I would find. The challenge then is to let it go and let others interpret it as they will. Because they will.  Even when I do find the"perfect photo" I get comments about how the reader totally gets it because (insert interpretation here).  And they are usually completely off. Nowhere near my intention. And what I have realized in these moments is that it doesn't matter if they "get it" or not. Not really. The person has found value in what I have had to say, even if it wasn't my intented value. They have heard what they needed.  And it is this kind of sharing that interests me.  The photo's make me think.  The one's I choose make me think.  As the week goes on I continue to see more and more layers of both my photo and those of the others.

This is what I love, too, about visiting all the other answers.  I feel like I get a glance into someone else's life without being spoon-fed it's meaning.  And I get something out of it by learning, not just about them, but also about myself.

So, where is my answer in all of that?  I invite you to use other peoples photos and practice the art of letting go.  It's not easy and I think that is why I like it.   I feel like it is an interesting practice and even more interesting topic for discussion.  (Any takers?)  

With all that said, I am also not at all interested in policing this project and would hope you would participate in a way that feels authentic to you.  At the end of the day I just love that people play along.

Come back tomorrow for the next topic and if you like this project please spread the word.