Small Wonders

This is a quote from architect Glenn Wiggins. I believe it is in his book “Construction Details for Commercial Buildings,” a detail I only just learned. I admit I came across the quote before discovering the source. But I do believe this applies to photography as well. In fact, you could apply this to just about any craft. The small details do matter, and only through curious observation can we truly see them. 

My favorite things to photograph are the small scenes, the “intimate landscape,” and I do try to keep an eye out for them. But, admittedly, so many opportunities go unnoticed. As hard as I try to be more observant, more aware of the things around me, I don’t always succeed. It would be hard to notice every little thing, but surely I could do better. There are a number of reasons for this; one is simply being in a rush to “get the shot”. I am guilty of this myself, I have found myself hurrying down the path towards a specific “target” that desirable image at the end of the trail. But the pitfall to this is that in my haste, I pass an untold number of small wonders. In a self-induced urgency, my eyes gloss over the small wonders that could have made my day so much richer.

Another reason I might miss the small wonders is that I'm simply unfamiliar with a place. If it is a place I have never been, I may not know where to begin. This happens to me often. As I travel a lot for work, I often go to parks I have never been to before. In fact, I try to do this to experience new places and new things, but as a result, I am rarely aware of what to even look for. This can lead to being overwhelmed by a place, constantly wondering what is around the next corner. While trying to discover “all that I can,”  I could miss so much. Taking the time to experience a place fully will offer the opportunity to find the small wonders. Through curiosity and patience, the small wonders can be seen.