Taking a break – the art of rejuvenation
In my last post – Memories – I started a dialog to determine how people get stimulated in their pursuit of meaningful images. I was delighted with the insightful responses.
After the publication of our third podcast, a recurring response is emerging from the other professional photographers I interview. A fair degree of what we do requires a focus on Utility. In other words, we shoot images that serve a purpose, and usually that purpose is fiscal.
This is a simple and bear fact – many professionals rely on their images and writing to make a living. If you do not take images that people want to buy, or write words that people want to read, the rent checks bounce.
There is also a myth that professional photographers shoot all the time. This may be true for fashion, studio, commercial guys, but not us landscape photographers. There are peak cycles of tide, weather, moon, season etc and here in northern Spain right now, summer is a break. The rocks are bleached and dry, the plants brown and lifeless, having achieved their goal for this year, and the skies hazy and dusty.
I’ve decided to take a few weeks break, and already feeling rejuvenated. For almost 6 months straight, I pushed myself hard, out early, out late, write all day, often stay out all night – long hours, high demand.
A lot of this was to shoot Utility images, images that will illustrate technical writing multi-media to be published in 2012. But forcing yourself out the door at 11pm when you’d rather crawl into bed becomes something to curse, and I don’t want to feel like that about Nature Photography. I love Nature, I love Contemporary Landscape Photography and I love writing about it.
To save that love, I needed to leave my camera at home.
For the last few weeks Juanli & I have been taking long walks every day, through the woods, valleys, fields, cliff tops, beaches and villages. Re-discovering Asturias with just my eyes and objective senses. Almost, I have been teaching myself to see again. In 5 weeks we move back to Asia, and there is a tangible sense of anticipation about our re-emersion in SE Asian culture & landscapes.
But for now, the camera stays at home while I think about our landscape and the images to be taken in the future….
at 4:12 pm
Splendid.
You are truly an expert. Your work is so different than usual that we see. And I am truly impressed with your eye for details.
at 6:41 pm
I completely echo you thoughts, Alister. This past weekend I went into the mountains with an old friend with the purpose of relaxing and just seeing, as you say. On my way there, I stopped by to see my family and because I didn’t have enough of that, I stopped again on the way back. I got say that it was one of my best weekends ever. And I’m planning on doing that more often. Great writing as always! You’re an inspiration to many, I’m sure. Good luck with the moving!
at 8:47 pm
Thanks man, appreciate the words…
at 9:27 pm
Hi Ali, I identify with your words, many afternoons I do not get the camera from the backpack only I enjoy what I see. I miss you, un abrazo
at 10:31 am
Thanks José… we miss you too, it has been a long while… Now we have sold the car, we are limited to walks around Luarca… Enjoying that though…
at 10:36 pm
I know the image is secondary in this essay, but I have to first remark that it is lovely and powerful and the work of someone who has appreciated the sometimes subtle but substantial beauty that seemingly harsh environments can offer.
I can appreciate this essay as I do not allow myself this practice but know that I should. As a non-professional photographer, I spend most of my week at something other than the pursuit of photography and the enjoyment of nature. Consequently, my weekends are my only opportunity and I try to make the most of it. Sometimes that creates a pressure that impedes the vision and leads to a loss of the experience. But there are also times when the experience is so powerful. I always enjoy your essays and photography and, in this case, I will enjoy vicariously your exercise in rejuvenation.
at 10:35 am
You raise a great point Steve… How many times have we packed our gear in the dark hours before dawn repeating “I’m gonna take some great images today” like some kind of mantra? As if it is the attitude that determines our success. I have raised issues before where I say that our moods can influence our images, and I agree that a good positive state of awareness and motivation can be good for energy.
BUT… the landscape, weather, tide, cloud cover, sunrise, sunset, stars, moonlight, atmospheric conditions, etc etc etc are the real players in this show.
Some good thoughts coming out of all this… Thanks to you all for your valuable contributions…
at 11:17 pm
I echo Steve’s thoughts. Gently thoughtful as always. We are looking forward to your return.
at 10:36 am
Thanks Andrew… we have loved Spain… but the call of SE Asia is strong now… Hope you’re about the weekend of the 7th October… we’ll be in Sai Kung…
at 7:02 pm
Even though I don’t make images for the majority of my income, I can agree that I never want photography to feel like the daily drudgery of “work.” There are times when my brain isn’t fully engaged–when I can’t give photography my full attention–that I put down the camera and don’t force it.
I often find that I am much more creative and can be fully in the moment once I’ve had a short break.
Great Thoughts, as always, Ali!
Cheers,
Greg
at 10:55 am
Yeah for sure… It was always my goal to maintain the love of it even when I moved into full-time photography. These breaks allow me to refocus and look forward to it again… Thank you Greg for always being here too…
at 1:06 pm
I really enjoyed this post. Deep and going to the roots of things, as I like it, most of all when talking about photography. More of this please
Great post.