Don’t Overcomplicate Photography (Like I Do).
In my pyjamas, photographing outside in the garden (while trying not to fall over our four year old's toys), made me realise that photography really doesn’t need to be all that complicated.
Don’t get me wrong, on the technical side (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, etc.) it can be complicated (and we should know that stuff to make good images).
But this is not what I’m talking about.
What I’m talking about is this:
Thinking that the only images worth making (and sharing) are those absolute show stoppers (typically only found in far away places from where you find yourself - am I right?!).
It is the mental / psychological over complication of photography as a form of visually sharing the beautiful moments around us with others, by thinking it is not worth it / as amazing as the images we see on the line (internet) and on social media.
I do it all the time, ffs.
And it is easy to think like that these days, with social media and the like.
Everyone and their dog are only sharing absolute bangers all the time.
I mean what even is a banger, for that matter?
The only “bangers” I know of were the ones we got growing up, and they were served with mashed potatoes.
But I digress.
So, getting back to the pivotal moment of realisation I experienced the other evening, while standing in our garden in my pyjamas, camera in hand.
Beautiful moments are all around us, all the time.
We just have to learn to see them and observe them.
And appreciate them, however small.
Then, if we feel sufficiently inspired: to photograph and share them.
Or not.
Sometimes I like to just observe a moment and it’s beautiful impermanence, no cameras involved.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is this:
If we just observe the world around us, where ever we are and whether it be people or nature, we will see beautiful moments worth photographing and sharing.
Of course whether we then choose to photograph it or not is up to us.
Which brings me to the image above of the cloud lingering over the tree line, captured from our front garden in the mountains, in a little corner of Switzerland.
And yes, in my PJ’s.
You see, I was putting away all our four year old’s toys outside when I looked up and saw the last rays of sunlight illuminating the clouds, high above the valley where we live.
Beautiful moment.
At first I thought: “No, not “wow” enough, don’t bother”.
This is when I had that moment of clarity I mentioned earlier:
Beautiful moments are all around us, all the time. And they're worth photographing.
It doesn’t have to be a block of ice, on a beach, in Iceland, during a long exposure.
It doesn’t have to be a glowing waterfall in Yosemite.
It doesn’t have to be a cheetah catching its prey in Africa.
Nope.
It can also just be a cloud above the tree line being lit by the dying sun.
And I’m ok with that.
Actually, I’m more than ok, I’m finding myself re-inspired with photography after this small - but pivotal - revelation.
And you know what?
Throw simple images like the one up top into a frame and onto a wall in the right setting, and you have yourself quite the satisfying piece of art.
Go one step further by pairing it up with another complimentary image, and you’re on a roll.
All with images you captured while in your PJ’s.
In your front garden, unexpectedly.
You just had to observe nature doing its thing.
Life is funny sometimes.
PS - Do you ever find yourself photographing in your PJ’s? Just me? Oh well.
Share your thoughts with me on the above regardless.
Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.
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Until next time ✌🏽.
Cornelius
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