There is a fine line between enjoying the moment and taking photos. As a landscape and outdoor photographer, I tread this line every time I go out. When I started photography, I remember being frustrated and not being able to get the photo I wanted on location. If you were to hear some of my audio recordings, it includes swearing. This was due to a lack of knowledge about camera settings and techniques. As I got more experience, I became relaxed. I learned to enjoy and admire nature first without having to worry about the camera, composition and how I would approach the photo.

Once I have set up the camera, while waiting for the sunrise or sunset to spread its colours, I stand there in anticipation and fully submerse myself in the moments of awe. Pressing the camera shutter then becomes second nature just like changing the gears of a car. Also, I don’t take a few hundred photos of the same scene because I am confident that what I have captured is going to make a nice photo when post-processed (in other words, edited in Lightroom or Photoshop). Yes, there is an element of disappointment when I don’t get the shot I want, especially when I travel hundreds of miles or fly somewhere, but I know that I have had a wonderful experience of being in nature. So yes, if you are a photographer, your job is to capture the amazing, but you don’t have to be uptight about it. With practice and learning, the journey becomes interesting and memorable.

Peace

Muji