Having been on one of the retreats with you and John, I can wholehearted agree that fully being in the moment, slowly noticing details and forming a relationship with a puddle, a tree, a reflection in a pond can be so rewarding. I remember sitting in the forest for a couple of hours without taking a single photo. I remember entering into an intimate relationship with a tree, staying with it for several hours, lying under its crown on my back, connecting with the soil, making some of my favourite images. It was an amazing experience and the atmosphere that John and you created for us was highly fertilising. Did I bring the spirit back home? I think so!
Delighted to hear that the echo has continued. Ann and I were back in some of the locations these past few days and what a different look now! Each day is an opportunity to see a new world. Looking forward to chatting on Friday.
@@Alister_Benn Going back to a place means getting to know it again, reconnecting, re-discovering, because both of us have changed. I haven't made a lot of images since I came back, but I have fallen back in love with some of my local places. Looking forward to our chat, too!
Very helpful and wise insights Alister- I would respectfully add a corollary to Tip number 1 that 'comparison' also is the death of creativity, or can diminish the pleasure
As always good advice. I certainly feel that going out with expectations most often leads to disappointment, but I do not entirely agree that it would be better to stay at home :) - at least I got out! That leads me to another comment: Practice: because I sometimes find that some of the source of disappointment is a lack of technical skills. I have ideas but fail to capture what I want, partly because I can't find the right way. I have done this for many years, but only very few years with any intent. So I should go out with some intent and expectations - and then, instead of being disappointed, spend some time analysing why I didn't come home with the images I wanted to. And I certainly need to learn to take my time - trying to capture a scene from every conceivable angle is one of my many flaws.
when people have looked at some of my photos they ask how did you get that , my usual answer is there a difference in looking at something and seeing it
I love that: listen to the whispers in the landscape that only you can hear…
Having been on one of the retreats with you and John, I can wholehearted agree that fully being in the moment, slowly noticing details and forming a relationship with a puddle, a tree, a reflection in a pond can be so rewarding. I remember sitting in the forest for a couple of hours without taking a single photo. I remember entering into an intimate relationship with a tree, staying with it for several hours, lying under its crown on my back, connecting with the soil, making some of my favourite images. It was an amazing experience and the atmosphere that John and you created for us was highly fertilising. Did I bring the spirit back home? I think so!
Delighted to hear that the echo has continued. Ann and I were back in some of the locations these past few days and what a different look now! Each day is an opportunity to see a new world. Looking forward to chatting on Friday.
@@Alister_Benn Going back to a place means getting to know it again, reconnecting, re-discovering, because both of us have changed. I haven't made a lot of images since I came back, but I have fallen back in love with some of my local places. Looking forward to our chat, too!
Item 4 - Practice... well that certainly hit home. Thanks for all your insights!
Thanks for that. Yeah, lots of people forget to practice
Very helpful and wise insights Alister- I would respectfully add a corollary to Tip number 1 that 'comparison' also is the death of creativity, or can diminish the pleasure
So true. Thanks Alister
My pleasure!
Another very insightful video, fairly short but a lot to take in, think about and hopefully execute!😀
Many thanks, I appreciate that
As always good advice. I certainly feel that going out with expectations most often leads to disappointment, but I do not entirely agree that it would be better to stay at home :) - at least I got out! That leads me to another comment: Practice: because I sometimes find that some of the source of disappointment is a lack of technical skills. I have ideas but fail to capture what I want, partly because I can't find the right way. I have done this for many years, but only very few years with any intent. So I should go out with some intent and expectations - and then, instead of being disappointed, spend some time analysing why I didn't come home with the images I wanted to. And I certainly need to learn to take my time - trying to capture a scene from every conceivable angle is one of my many flaws.
when people have looked at some of my photos they ask how did you get that , my usual answer is there a difference in looking at something and seeing it
👍