Do you sometimes feel resistance before taking a photo? I often feel this when it takes a lot of effort to take a photo, and this resistance tries to keep me from going out. Over the years, I have found that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.
What I enjoy most about landscape photography is spending time in nature, going on long hikes, and chasing special light. It also involves uncertainty and doubt: How difficult is the hike? Will the scenery be worth the effort? Will the conditions be good? These are just some of the questions that come to mind as the adventure approaches.
I recently went to the Alps for a two-day hike and photography trip. I was excited about the trip and had been researching some viewpoints using Google Earth. I had gathered as much information as I could about the hikes and viewpoints I wanted to photograph. But as the day of the trip approached, that excitement turned to doubt.
The weather forecast was fine. But on the day of arrival, it was forecast to rain. Two days later, a thunderstorm would hit. It would create the perfect opportunity with a clear day in between. But would it? As I was driving the morning before, while I was studying the weather, I wondered if I should stay home. After all, I didn’t want to be caught in a storm in the mountains. And a rainy day with dark clouds would obscure the view I wanted to capture.
This mind game is typical. On my trips, it often starts in the evening before sunrise photography, so I have to get up in the middle of the night and drive and/or hike. Sometimes I even hope it rains so I can stay in bed and sleep in. Luckily, I usually don’t give in to these thoughts. And neither should you.
While I often don’t get the conditions I crave for my photography, I never regret setting out. Once I get started, the doubts usually disappear, and the excitement returns. It’s all about getting over that initial hurdle, that resistance. The more you do it, the more often it pays off. The rewards don’t always come in the form of spectacular light. Sometimes it’s just a great hike, the thrill of standing on a mountaintop, or knowing you’ve found a view that no one else has ever photographed.
Whatever it is, it will help you build the confidence to overcome resistance next time. And don’t be discouraged by failure. Use it as motivation and don’t accept defeat. The conditions may not be great this time, but if you keep trying, great photo opportunities will come. As I wrote in another article:”Grow in the process, enjoy your time out there and be grateful for those rare magical moments.”
I’m also curious: Does this sound familiar to you, or have you never felt this resistance? Let us know in the comments.
