I like to take pictures. No, I mean it. I REALLY like to take pictures. On our hike to Crystal Falls in Vancouver, I took over 200 pictures on a 90 minute hike. I’ll let you do the math.
When I’m taking pictures, I don’t take anything for granted. I look at everything. I evaluate everything. I notice everything. And because I’m paying attention, I see so many things that I would have certainly missed otherwise. I very much try to see the world through a child’s eyes, where everything is new and interesting. Because no matter how many times you have seen something, if you look closely you will see details you never noticed before.
But here is where I’m torn.If I examine every detail, analyze it, and photograph it, am I really “experiencing” it? Would it be better if I allowed my mind to unfocus? Would it be more authentic if I simply allowed the experience wash over me? I can’t quite decide.
If It Was Today... 
Indeed, the old forest versus trees conundrum. The quest for balance (an economist’s favourite word 🙂
I think you’ll know when you truly experience it. The answer will become obvious to you. IMHO.
It’s a quandary but I understand… I have a similar dilemma. I wonder if I can force myself to leave the camera at home once? Noooo…..
So true…
As you take more pictures and are aware of this interesting dilemma, you’ll find the right balance. But, first you have to figure out why you’re taking pictures in the first place. To illustrate an idea? To “decorate” a blog? To remember things? To make fine art? Something else? All of them? Getting that straight is a useful exercise.
An interesting way to think about this…
By examining as closely as you do, you are experiencing the world around you in ways that many people do not..
That’s what I keep telling myself. I think it might even be true…
Balance yes, and we get to see your wonderful photos. And you also get to look back at then later. These two are both so interesting.
Awww – thank you for that.
Focus on what you want to do, if you want to walk, then walk, if you want to take photos..
I love the images.
Thank you
Whatever you do is experiencing the moment. When I go out, I look, take a deepI breath, start taking photos and several hours later I realize it’s time to go. And when processing or viewing the photos I think about how lucky I was to experience that place, at that time, and in that light, etc. That’s what works for me.
I like that attitude…
Interesting question…
I think that it is both (or all) experiencing the moment (or maybe living the moment, rather) – but on different levels… As long as you feel intensely about whatever you are doing, you cannot really say one is better than the other… It is more like different aspects of the same thing. Taking pictures makes me slow down, look around me in a totally different way – and I love that. But it can be just as gratifying to go to a concert for just the music and let myself float on the sounds. In that case I do leave my camera at home… 🙂 Just follow your feeling, I would say… it will tell you what you need at a given moment… (Does that make sense?…)
It does make sense.
What a relief! 🙂