Prior to going out with the intent to look for pictures, I can often get the "fear" that I won't see compositions, that I will have lost the ability to see. My last picture made, was literally the last! I'm quite an anxious person by nature, so these feelings generally can be common in my mind. Of course, this doesn't stop me from venturing out. We must fight the fear! Thus, I strap on the boots, pack the equipment, and head out into the unexpected.
The closer I get to the outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these feelings gradually dissipate. Once immersed in the environment, I find it curious that, after feeling the cloud of doubt, sometimes a picture can show itself. Many have asked me how I find a picture, and it is such a difficult question to answer. It can depend on our mood, as some images reveal themselves more obviously than others. I always believe that we should let the landscape find us. It could be just a passing glimpse as we wander, suggesting that there is something worth exploring. Perhaps it's tangled up in a wider view, teasing us to stop and explore further. This is where the joy lies.
From the moment we become absorbed by the scene, stopping, slowing down, and living in the moment as if time is standing still, we realize that the landscape doesn't always give up the view easily. Sometimes, we have to accept defeat, at least for the time being. We can hope that maybe next time we pass this way, the view will become clear. However, just occasionally, we find the view that first showed itself, and our hearts beat a little faster. It is in these moments that the true enjoyment of photography lies, trying to work out the puzzle that the landscape presents us with.
