It’s so true. There are times when it’s just important (to me) to take it all in without distractions (shooting being a def distraction) — to get the full experience. Thanks for the reminder.
Great advice Wesley and good on you for not bringing the camera along. The temptation is real!
I once saw a mishmash performance of a band I like at a smaller venue, jamming with a bunch of other guys and playing some atypical songs not in their usual roster. Just after the show ended, I saw they had a recorder hooked up to the sound board and asked the guitarist if I could get a copy. He stared at me, through me even, sweaty from a few hours of performance, then tapped his head and quietly suggested, "Let it live up here."
I sometimes just go out during lunch breaks without anything or any thoughts. Not intentionally, but this take on Kant is a great reminder to be more aware of all things surrounding us. You might make a mental photo for your visual library 😉
I only just saw this and the very day you published it, I walked out of the house without a camera, just to observe. Nothing else. And I thought I had such a novel idea! Nice accolades with that two pager, Wesley!
Thanks for your words, Wesley! I think every photographer should read this. I usually walk around with some analog SLR or a point & shoot, but even when doing just for myself, sometimes I get myself thinking too much about taking a photo and realize that I wasn't truly enjoying that moment. This idea of just appreciating the moment reminds me that scene of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", where the great photographer, after chasing a picture for so long, when he finally reach it, he didn't take the picture and says that sometimes he prefer to stay in the moment without the distraction of the camera. It's quite a philosophy.
Looking at something thinking “this could be a photo” but not taking the photo has to be the ultimate mindfulness experience for any photographer haha. Sometimes I do that even when I do have my camera in my hands. Sometimes I’ll point my camera to something that looks great in the naked eye, but doesn’t work as well through the viewfinder. Instead of making a half-decent photo, I chose to enjoy what could have been and just walk away. I’m sure that photograph will be sitting somewhere in my brain for future reference.
A bit early, huh? It's 4 am here 😂
It was nice having something to read at dawn
Haha perfect!
It’s so true. There are times when it’s just important (to me) to take it all in without distractions (shooting being a def distraction) — to get the full experience. Thanks for the reminder.
:)
Great advice Wesley and good on you for not bringing the camera along. The temptation is real!
I once saw a mishmash performance of a band I like at a smaller venue, jamming with a bunch of other guys and playing some atypical songs not in their usual roster. Just after the show ended, I saw they had a recorder hooked up to the sound board and asked the guitarist if I could get a copy. He stared at me, through me even, sweaty from a few hours of performance, then tapped his head and quietly suggested, "Let it live up here."
Haha I love that! He’s so right, in so few words! Thank you for sharing, Jason!
I sometimes do that, watching a rain or a view or a seaside…it is hard to resist our phones these days but if you can do it, it sets you free.
So true!
I sometimes just go out during lunch breaks without anything or any thoughts. Not intentionally, but this take on Kant is a great reminder to be more aware of all things surrounding us. You might make a mental photo for your visual library 😉
Haha that’s allowed!
I only just saw this and the very day you published it, I walked out of the house without a camera, just to observe. Nothing else. And I thought I had such a novel idea! Nice accolades with that two pager, Wesley!
haha great minds! thank you Juliette!
Thanks for your words, Wesley! I think every photographer should read this. I usually walk around with some analog SLR or a point & shoot, but even when doing just for myself, sometimes I get myself thinking too much about taking a photo and realize that I wasn't truly enjoying that moment. This idea of just appreciating the moment reminds me that scene of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", where the great photographer, after chasing a picture for so long, when he finally reach it, he didn't take the picture and says that sometimes he prefer to stay in the moment without the distraction of the camera. It's quite a philosophy.
I forgot about that scene! Thanks for reminding me, Henrique!
Looking at something thinking “this could be a photo” but not taking the photo has to be the ultimate mindfulness experience for any photographer haha. Sometimes I do that even when I do have my camera in my hands. Sometimes I’ll point my camera to something that looks great in the naked eye, but doesn’t work as well through the viewfinder. Instead of making a half-decent photo, I chose to enjoy what could have been and just walk away. I’m sure that photograph will be sitting somewhere in my brain for future reference.
Brain-stored :)