Does having a lifestyle which presents a changing or new environment make for a more productive photographer?
Kinda. I’ve made more photos in the last several weeks then in the previous five months. However, I can’t claim I’ve been any more creative with my photography. If anything I’m cleaning the rust off my basic skills.
Sure I’ve gotten images I really like but it was because my travels put me at locations where there are rich opportunity for good photos, NOT perhaps because I created opportunities from the environment.
Personally, I’m not sure where that line is between gathering the easy fruit from the bottom and climbing further up the creative tree for that harder to reach high fruit. We all operate at our own individual levels and what is easy fruit for one can require a reach for another. But is the fruit (image) that was easily picked weighted the same as one which took much more effort?
The down side of moving and traveling is with many locations you only have one chance to see and photograph them. In previous situations when revisiting locations often I’ve seen and captured things never noticed the first time. Only if we’re staying in place for a while can I revisit now.
Just thoughts about photography and this new world I find myself in.
This is definitely an interesting journey you’ve started and I am glad we get to go along for the ride. You ask yourself some interesting questions. I suspect it will take a while to fully grasp the possibilities and the restrictions of your new lifestyle. And, I suppose, the consequences it will have on your photography. I don’t believe that a mobile lifestyle means having only “one chance” to see and photograph them. Ok so it might be true in the sense that you can never step in the same river twice but that notion is true for all of us, mobile or not.
By the way, I like the first image a lot. It probably didn’t take much effort to make but it definitely comes from the top of the tree. Which is my way of answering your question I guess. A lot of effort doesn’t always translate to something worthy just as an easy snap doesn’t have to be void of meaning or value.
Cedric, I’m trying to maintain self-awareness of changes occurring and the impetus that may be the cause. I see photography as one of many windows which may reflect some of that change. A huge part of the attraction of this journey was the promise of discovery. So, if you follow future posts you’re liable to see more questions then answers for the foreseeable future and even those questions are changing.
You’re right about that first image, it took little effort but it’s one I liked very much — glad you did too. I won’t get into what “worthy” may even mean, I’m okay with just letting it be what it is. :-)
I also like the first photo quite a bit, and the difficulty is somewhat irrelevant to me. I think any new location is going to provide a lot of new visual stimuli. That in itself is going to energize our curiosity, more so than perhaps the old front yard.
I can see your point about the downside of traveling – which applies I suppose if you have a destination and a timeline involved. But the good side of being so mobile is that at least you have a choice to stay awhile or not, and you can always come back.
Yeah, I’ve certainly changed my “old front yard” but I think it will be a while before reaching the point of thinking of revisiting locations — so much new out there to see! Thanks, Mark.
My favorite image is the second one, Maggie standing on the beach reflecting on this new world she finds herself in. Travel does allow us to see with new eyes.
I’m trying not to take or post too many “Maggie Photos” but when we walk she always has to be in front leading the way so I indulge myself with photos. I’m glad you liked the second one.
Nope, same 61 year old eyes…but the central processing software is constantly being modified, upgraded and improved these days. :-)