“You don’t become enormously successful without encountering and overcoming a number of extremely challenging problems.” Mark Victor Hanson
I’ve had a few of challenging problems in my life and I assume you have also. Reflecting back I see where some of those challenges were not really challenges at all, some were created by me and some were both. I learned from some of those challenges while some I repeated (more than twice). While working as an engineer, I found it exciting to encounter challenges. Those challenges helped keep my interested in that career, at least for a few years.
As we age many will face the challenge of health problems. Knees will pop and crack, backs will hurt more, arthritis will be more persistent, naps will play a more important role, our metabolism slows down and more. And, I imagine, keeping up with technology will require calling the (great) grandkids. As you know I just made a trip to visit my parents and I see the challenges my parents are facing and notice them occurring in my own life.
Photography, also offers us challenges. Learning the capabilities of our gear, dealing with weather and lighting conditions. If making money with our passion is required then we may have challenges with learning how to work as a business, marketing, finances.
Anyway, while relaxing on my parents back patio I noticed the patterns and colors of their pergola and the blue sky. And, since I had my camera I took one shot. To me this is an example where images do come to us. This image was given to me rather my efforts to capture or take an image. We just have to be there.
8 Comments
John
You said…
>>This image was given to me rather my efforts to capture or take an image. We just have to be there.
Made me think of what Woody Allen said…
“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
But I think you are right. There is much to be said about just being there. The trick is to make the most of it. I can’t imagine that many people would have thought about shooting this image, but it is interesting and beautiful.
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Monte Stevens
If we have our camera with us then, we showed up. Buried in the bottom of a bag won’t work, it needs to be easily accessible to make the most of it. I agree, many people will not even notice it. I’ve had people stop and look at what I’m pointing my camera at and not sure they even see it. Some people really don’t see the world and may never see it.
Earl
I’d say showing up is a big part of it but you also need to be receptive and open to opportunities when they present themselves…whether it’s taking an interesting photo such as this or dealing creatively and positively with life’s challenges as you grow older.
Monte Stevens
You are a very wise man, Earl. 🙂
Tom Dills
You know that these kinds of photos are among my favorites, Monte. I love it when people walk by and wonder what I’m shooting, and when I tell or show them (assuming they bother to ask) they usually say something like “I never would have seen that!” I think the key is to be receptive to these opportunities when they arise. Les Saucier, a macro and nature photography guru and one of my teachers, calls it “being open to the gifts.” That can mean having the camera with you, but it could also mean just taking the time to look and see. When they all come together you get what we see here. Wonderful!
Monte Stevens
I like that, “being open to the gifts.” Thanks, Tom!
Cedric Canard
Nice words Monte and an excellent image. These types of patterns always get me excited when I see them. They fascinate me. These days, for me, it would have been enough to have seen it. I find myself taking fewer photographs but I’m always on the lookout for gems like this with or without camera.
“We just have to be there”; quite right though we also need to see 😉
Monte Stevens
Thank you, Cedric. I like your perspective and also just need to see, camera or not. When walking without my camera there is a better chance for working my cardio than when I carry a camera. But, the eyes are always looking with intent on seeing.