On Photography and Everything That Keeps You From It
I remember the very first time I have seen a camera phone. It was the early 2000s, and Nokia website was one of the few places to keep up with the slowly but surely evolving smart phone scene.
I was baffled by the idea of slapping a lens behind a phone. It was a strange (but still enticing) take on the smart phones of the time. From today’s perspective, it’s the least they could do, but at the time it was an unexpected move, at least from my teenage perspective. Among all things, why a camera?!
Taking photographs did not matter all that much back then. The urge to capture anything and everything wasn’t really there, probably due to the lack of social media. That meant those who were carrying a camera at the time were doing so not for the convenience of it, but for the genuine urge to capture a moment.
Don’t get me wrong, though. It’s a good thing that everybody is participating in the rush to capture every moment surrounding us. Humanity has never documented itself at this rate! And at your darkest hour, the camera behind your phone can be the last string between you and photography.
When life gives you lemons…
At some point in life, most photographers (and artists) hit that creative rut, sometimes originating from events taking place around you. Maybe once, maybe several times. Maybe for short periods, or perhaps for years… And despite the availability of all the gear, software and more.
So what happens? Well, here is my first hand experience getting lost in the details of life and being swept away from my own passion.
Pursue Light is my passion project, built on my love for photography. It’s one of the few things in the last decade of my life that I felt so enthusiastic about. This project not only reminded me how much I enjoy photography, but also sharing my heartfelt thoughts and experiences with others.
In the last few years, a lot got in the way of photography, and well… Pursue Light. I just want to clarify, though; I am not talking about not taking any photographs. It’s more about the things that take over your life and your mind, such that photography isn’t on center stage anymore.
In my case, it was a long and drawn out job change period, followed by my first step into home ownership that turned out to be a blackhole that sucked the life energy out of me. I still wanted to take photographs, and I certainly still wanted to write here on Pursue Light. I think it’s important to make a distinction here: Not being able to keep up with your photography is not the same as realizing photography isn’t your thing.
Not being able to keep up with your photography is not the same as realizing photography isn’t your thing.
All this time since my last post here, I have still taken photos. As a minimum, I took photographs with my phone all the time, even if I was not out for a dedicated photo walk. Although it was a very busy, and undeniably stressful period for me, I did what I could to do the minimum: keep taking photos. Even if I did not get to turn back and look at them, even if I did not get to edit them, or even if I did not get to share them. Taking photos was the least I could do.
But clearly, taking photos alone did not do anything in the Pursue Light front. I felt pretty guilty for not keeping up with my passion project. It was always on my mind. Yet, given the energy and the mood I had, taking photos was the most I could do.
Letting passion lead the way
This however helped me realize an important thing: I did not start Pursue Light on a whim. It really was my passion project. I really cared about this blog and the people who read what I had to say. And I certainly was not done with it by any means. Yes, I could not write at the moment, but I knew I would come back to it no matter what. And here I am today, trying to finish this comeback post.
This also made me think about what this return should look like. What do I want to share with people? What can I do that will prevent me from doing the very least and posting here if I hit another low point in life? As a lifelong minimalist, I decided to minimalize and simplify things.
What is next for Pursue Light?
While there is no guarantee that things will always be nice and rosy all the time, I should have the type of content that ensures the continuity of Pursue Light. So, here is what you can expect to see on Pursue Light in the coming weeks:
Photo book series: A look at the work of famous, as well as lesser known photographers, iconic photographs, and creative philosophy and elements that goes into those. I am always open to suggestions, so if you have one, please drop a comment below!
Anatomy of a photograph: Deep dive into a single photograph, acknowledging what went into it, as well as what makes it a beautiful shot to look at. From amateurs and professionals alike.
Bite-sized shots: A series of short posts based on my own work, so that I am better able to talk to the creative process leading to the shot.
Your voice: As I have done in the past, I would like to collate your experiences in photography and share with the greater community here.
In the coming weeks, you can expect more diverse content in a simpler form. Ultimately, the goal is to inspire each other and cherish our creativity.
That being said, I would appreciate every bit of help I can get along the way. There are multiple ways you can help:
Stay Connected: Subscribe to the newsletter so that you know when there are new posts. You can also follow me on Instagram and Pinterest to see what is happening between posts and get inspired. Just posts, no spam!
Share your feedback: your suggestions and feedback are always welcome. So, please do not hesitate to drop a comment below or write to me directly.
Spread the word: Know people who might enjoy reading Pursue Light? Send them a link to PursueLight.com, or simply consider sharing on social media.
In any case, thank you for being here, reading this and sharing my passion for photography and learning!
I look forward to seeing you in the next post!
