Myanmar Pagoda
One thing about traveling worldwide is this, it will sharpen your focus on yourself and the culture you are immersed in.
Yes this is about taking pictures but what no one tells you about photography is that it is a journey of your self through the eyes of the world we live in.
It’s all about your vision not your pixels.
You can pick up any camera and capture an amazing photograph with it.
How?
By getting to know yourself.
Don’t pay attention to what is HOT, or what is current and endlessly spoken about. It’s just fluffy gossip. Pay attention to your breath, your heart, and your body.
What is it telling you?
My gut speaks to me, and when I listen my life works magically.
It is the same with photography.
One of my dreams was to travel the world and take photographs of it. I wanted to learn how the world worked and what was my place in it. I felt the seeds of greatness in my soul and knew I had to water them myself. I discovered at a very young age that I had to do it.
I remember thinking in kindergarten, I wonder why the teacher doesn’t really get who I am. She was a good teacher in her saddle shoes worn with a pink suit that I thought was a poor fashion statement. But not everyone understands us. And I equate understanding with love.
So back to photography.
The world emphasizes the equipment when it should be on the heart and soul. What do you like to photograph? Discover that!
How? By going on a photography walk.
I most often carry my iphone and use it daily to shoot but when I want to get something I know will be amazing I get my other cameras out. My heart led me to a Hero 3 Go Pro to shoot dolphins in the wild and a Canon DSLR to get the best photos of people and nature. But the most important thing is my enthusiasm.
That’s what led me to move from Oahu to Hawaii Island, I wanted to live down the street from the wild dolphins in Kealakekua Bay.
It is what led me over oceans to the Himalayas to visit my son in Nepal and volunteer teach photography to the staff of the Nepal Youth Foundation.
Enthusiasm is the fuel. When you listen to it, you see the path before you and then the universe brings the rest of it to you. So don’t start with the camera, start with your heart.
What does it say? what do you want to shoot?
So, back to the walk. Go out in the morning before the sun has risen or at sunset when the sun is about to disappear in the horizon. After it sinks into the cosmos the light in the sky will be deafening you with color and sparkles. Stick around for another 20 minutes for the real show. It’s magic!
Do you like to take portraits?
No it isn’t easy to get authentic photos of people in India and Nepal. Or anywhere for that matter. But when I am in a new culture, I shed the outer me and become someone new.
Mostly I’m a chameleon. Its like acting. You get into the costume and pretty soon you forget you’re playing. You start to be this person.
Drop your preconceived notions and connect with people. Maybe you will get a chance to photograph them but you might not. You might get an amazing photo tomorrow of the same person, so give your self time. Don’t be in a hurry.
Tip: wear the clothes that they wear. People love this. Usually.
Go out today and try a Photo Walk. Take pictures of what moves you.
Tell me what you got in the comment box.
And to get you started with practical advice find out all my photo secrets here.
