My own Advice.

Why is it so hard to follow your own advice? I am a big believer in slowing down, taking the time to be aware of your surroundings, to appreciate the places you visit. Think about it. How does it feel? Is it cold? Is the wind blowing? What does it smell like? Does it remind you of anything? Slow down and look. Think about where you are and how it makes you feel. Happy? Excited? Admiration? Maybe even all of it. Just take a moment and take it all in. I say it all the time. I rarely do it. 

Why? It should be evident that this is what I would do. It is a big reason I go out to create the images. To get out, enjoy the process, and the environment. To have a moment to slow down and appreciate the outdoors. But I always start off in a rush as though there is a destination I need to reach, some specific objective I need to accomplish. This is counter to my purpose. I may feel this way because I am unable to go out as often as I would like. Or it could be because I only have a specific amount of time to explore and photograph a location. But this should not prohibit me from enjoying the moment. 

I get there eventually. I do slow down, I manage to stop and take a breath, to remember why I am out in the first place. But it always takes me longer than it should. It should be instantaneous, as soon as I set foot on the ground. I need to stop and ask myself: How does it feel? What does it smell like? What does it remind me of?  I should feel a sense of calm relaxation, an appreciation for the place. I should practice what I preach.  

After all, it’s not as if I need to see everything; I need to see something interesting. And the best way to do that is to slow down.