Reinvigorating the photographic bug

Life has gotten in the way of a lot of things I wanted to do, causing me to put a lot of things on hold. This blog will be more of a recount of the recent mindset change I had toward my photography and how I looked at it in the past vs now.

Now that I have gotten most things sorted, I have started photography again and I have switched systems to Fujifilm. I found the most happiness shooting on Fujifilm. The built in film simulations, and ability to use recipes from others has given me more freedom to just enjoy taking photos while the robustness and capability of the system gives me confidence I can get the image I am looking for in camera needing very little to no editing after the fact.

My best friend, Stephen, has also begun photography and also uses the Fujifilm ecosystem. We have started going out to shoot together most weekends. I brought my humble little Fuji X100s and Stephen the beautiful X-H1.

Stephen and I take a trip of US 50 and make stops when our eyes see something they want to photograph. We try to just go with gut feelings and capture what our feelings tell us to.

Something I struggled with when I was a professional photographer was I was always thinking about what other people wanted to see in my images and trying to figure out how I could get that shot. I didn’t realize this is what I was doing in the moment and always had a voice in the back of my head saying “Why do I feel so little about this shot? I only seem to care if others will like it…”. Internally I took this as ‘imposter syndrome’ and just told myself that I was fine and to just keep pushing and things will work out.

I am glad, all these years later, I have been able to figure out that voice was real and letting me know that there was some kind of disconnect between my art and the image.

After taking a very long (somewhat involuntary) break from photography, I was able to see clearly that I wasn’t listening to the part of me that fell for photography in the first place. I forgot that photography was a way for me to connect with the things around me and share that connection with others.

Stephen’s and My favorite place to go when we just want to disappear to the woods for a day is Wrights Lake in NorCal on the way to Tahoe. It is a small lake with a stunning view and trails of varying difficulties to hike.

Every time we go, we see different things in a different light. It is truly one of the most influential places I go to fuel my photographic passion.

I am no longer chasing the PERFECT photograph. I am chasing passion and blindly following it. Giving trust that I am not the one who knows what I need or want, rather letting my feelings to express themselves and leaving my hands off of the metaphorical rudder.

Photography has now become a way for me to share how the world makes me feel. I am now no longer forcing the world to have a feeling.

I apologize for not taking many shots on this latest trip. I am still learning my gear and will share more as I get more comfortable. It may be that I am also shy to share my random photos, as most I have taken had no reason or feeling behind why I took them.

These trees seemed highlighted in the light. As if they wanted me to see them. I stopped my car, and jumped out without question. I wish I could hear what they are saying, what they are trying to convey. Either way, they live on happily in my memory and I am pleased I could share them with you as well.

Reconnecting with photography and using it to share how I connect with the world is a change I never knew I needed. It is one I don’t think I could properly explain how difficult is was for me to see.
The words “let go and let the image find you” is the best way I can say it, but the words are simple. The action of actually stepping aside and truly letting things come is the hardest thing I have ever begun to do. The first steps have been the best feeling steps I have ever had when taking photos.
I hope that others in a similar place with their own photography can be helped by this post.

Much love, keep shooting!

Thanks for indulging me in getting the words out about where I am in my photographic journey and I will share more as I have more to share!

-Cheers!