Enjoy the Journey.

 


Enjoy the journey...


There is a technical side of photography that allows a photographer to become a master of light and shadow and fuss over every aspect of the image they are trying to create but that, is not the chapter where we are going to start. So you've decided to take the first step and opened the box of your brand new camera. Congratulations! Weather your diving into photography as a hobby or looking to become a professional it's important not to forget to enjoy the journey along the way. I recently planned a day trip to spend time taking pictures of the bold Autumn colours of trees in a local forest. It was a cool sunny day with the sun low in the morning sky and bright beams of sunshine shining through the trees as I walked the path sipping coffee in a travel mug. The leaves were around 80-90% of being at their peak colours before falling to the ground until next year so this was as good as it was going to get. One unexpected overnight rain or heavy winds and most of those leaves in the forest would have been on the ground instead of the trees. Seems like luck and mother nature we're both on my side on this particular day. Bright yellows trimmed with lime green, deep scarlet reds, fire oranges, and soft morning light painting it all. It was a perfect day to catch as much of it as I could before the harsh afternoon light finally sneaked in and I headed home to see what I had captured. Did I have an official plan to head out and catch Fall colours? You bet! Picking a lens for this particular adventure, extra batteries and memory cards, checking the weather, gassing up the truck and of course preparing a road trip coffee before heading out of the house! But that's not all I came home with that day. It was a beautiful day to be out and about, stretch my legs, get some fresh air, and enjoy my surroundings. A walk in the woods can be just that. A relaxing walk in the woods. No fussing with trying to get the best angle, composition, or finding the right subject. In other words don't forget to enjoy what is around you as you head out for a shoot. A lot of photography is indeed about creating a great image but it's just as important to enjoy what you do. Take in what the day has to offer while your out with your gear. Visit an interesting nearby coffee shop or restaurant. Have a chat with a local shop owner or fellow photographers you meet. Who knows? You might have an interesting story to share about the time you stepped backwards into a creek or pond while trying to focus on a Blue jay or Owl, or the time you forgot to put a memory card in your camera before heading out. It's going to happen! Let's not forget about Murphy's Law right? A lot of work can go into creating a beautiful photo but you will also come home with some wonderful memories! Don't forget to enjoy the journey that got you there in the first place and all the beautiful moments or adventures that you will carry with you in the years to come!

~ Alan E Mason.

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