Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is just get out. The call of the couch can seem irresistible. It is always easier to stay in and stay comfortable. I will be the first to admit I often lose out to the couch and always rue the decision. I never regret the times I fight back and go out and try to capture images. Grabbing the gear and heading out always feels better, even if it’s a nearby local spot.
This is the scenario I found myself in a few weeks ago. I had made plans to visit a woodland park about an hour and a half away from downtown Chicago. I had slept late, so couch surfing seemed good once I was out of bed. I knew better, so I grabbed the bag and went to the beach. I went to a nearby park called Ohio Street Beach. I have had some success there so I decided to try my luck again on this day. The challenge, however, was cold, grey, and windy weather, the conditions that made the couch seem much more appealing. But I did not let the weather or my laziness stop me on this day. I forged on and set out to create some images.
Once I was at the beach, my motivation had improved dramatically. The conditions were not spectacular. It was still cold, grey, and even more windy on the shore of Lake Michigan, but I was out and had a camera. This was already a positive to the day. Walking the monotone beach that morning looking for compositions, I had a spring in my step. I felt engaged and alert, awake, and enjoying my day. I had defeated my couch in the epic battle, which is easy relaxation. I had created some images on this day. I made my art, and that is always a win.
I created a video about this subject. In it you can see how I creatd the image featured in this blog. You can watch it below.
