Finding photos or not

I listened to a top notch wedding photographer on the Lightsource podcast. I am not a wedding photographer (yet). But one thing I got out of the interview was that this photographer woke up everyday expecting to make a good photograph. I think this is a good mantra to have. It suits me, because I have access to the same areas for photography 5 days a week. They are around my house and what I can drive to on my lunch hour. If I didn't expect to make a good photograph every day, I might give up. What more could I get out of the same places over and over.

Not only do I expect to take a great photograph everyday, I expect to see something I haven't seen before every day. And most days I do see something new in the same ol' places. Today as an example, I went back to a spot where there are some wonderful poppies in bloom. Before I got out of the truck, I said I will not take a photograph unless it is different that what I have already taken at this spot. I took a different trail and soon came upon some beautiful Queen Anne's Lace flowers. Then later, as I was wandering through the poppies I saw these hordes of reddish insects all over the ground and some of the plants. Thousands of them. I took some shots of those. 

Hopefully when I review the photos, one or two of them will be decent keepers. The point is I expected to see something different today - and I did. 

Is every visit to the same place like this? No. But with all the diversity is this wonderful world, chances are pretty high that it will be.

A Good Walk, But Poor Planning

I had to drop off some stuff for my son a Clemson today. I decided to take a little photographic excursion since I would have some time afterward. I went to Oconee Station. I hike to Station Cove Falls there. It wasn't a difficult hike, and not that long. The problem is I took two cameras. One had a hand strap. The heaviest one did not.

I sweat a lot. So it wasn't long on this endeavor before I had a good sweat going. My cameras were getting sweating in my hands. Sure wish I had some other way to carry them. Sure wish I had some water. But I'm committed now. So I go on. I reached the falls. They were worth the walk. They were gorgeous. I begin shooting. Sure wish I had something to wipe off the cameras. Wish I had my ND filters. All that stuff is a mile back at the truck.

So I enjoy the scenery. It's a Monday morning. Nobody else is here. Nobody else was on the trail. It had rained the past evening. The mushrooms are popping out all over. They are huge. They are colorful. I rest awhile and then head back. My clothes are drenched with sweat. I am thirsty. I don't have water in the truck. Oh well, I'll make it.

The moral to this story is be prepared. Here's a list of what I plan to do next time.

Things that will be in the truck always:

1) Smaller camera bag
2) Water
3) Towel
4) Change of clothes

Things I will carry on my hikes:

1) ND Filters
2) Towel
3) Water
4) Small Camera Bag
5) One camera with two lenses

I had fun today. The trail and falls were beautiful. The photos could have been better if I had been more prepared. I will reread this entry and remember.