A perfect day
Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead.
Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Just walk beside me and be my friend. – Albert Camus
I had the most perfect day with my good friends Linda and Holly last Saturday. It has been a while since I last visited with them. It was very nice of Linda to organize the outing for the three of us to go out for a photo walk and have dinner afterwards.
Linda and Holly’s upbeat personality are contagious. We share lots of laughter when we see each other. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon spent in Narrangansett. We started our walk around the village in Jerusalem, then we continued to the nearby Matunuck beach. The lighting condition was accommodating during our time spent at the beach. We found lots of tidal patterns and some sandpipers to photograph. In addition to photographing, we took time to catch up with each other. We shared more laughs while enjoying some gourmet food at a famous local restaurant after we had finished our photo walk. Great friends, beautiful weather, wonderful food. What more can one ask for?
Looking back at the years I have been photographing, one of the most notable things photography has brought to my life is all the great people I get to meet during my travels. Since my primary focus in photography is landscape, I tend to pick opportunities that offer access to the great outdoors, and by extension, I meet people who share the same interest in enjoying nature. It is easy to build up rapport when you spend time with like-minded people who share your passion.
Some of the most memorable trips I had was when I stayed with friends for a week or two– spending nearly 24/7 with them. We were fully engaged about photography while getting to know each other personally. During the past year, while I was not able to travel internationally, I participated in a few local workshops during my time at home. Through those social outlets, I made friends with people who were born and raised in Rhode Island. They were kind to introduce me to locations that I was not aware of in my home state. Not only has my social circle been greatly expanded because of those social engagements, I had opportunities to learn more about Rhode Island as well.
While the type of photography I practice is primarily a solitary pursuit, and I photograph a lot on my own. I also enjoy being in the company of a small group of photographers who share similar interest. Participating in a common activity can help bring out the best in many photographers. I prefer being in a non-competitive environment where friends are encouraging and positive about sharing what you do and how you do it. It helps to inspire each other creatively as we bring different perceptions to the table. Photographers are usually looking for inspiration to take better photos. We all want to make our best photo and have someone to talk about it with. By seeing how other photographers work, you can learn new techniques and ways of seeing.
There are multiple ways to make new friends through photography. I look for meetups and workshops that interest me. After making acquaintances with the people I met on any of those outings, I do my best to stay in touch. I have made some great friends from my overseas travel, and over the years a few of us remain in contact. We look for opportunities to organize trips together, so we have more opportunities to spend more time with each other. Much like anything else, it is important to build on friendships you already have.
When it comes to my favorite places to photograph, I find my perception is closely tied to the people I am with. To me, it is not the location itself that makes it memorable, instead it is the people I surrounded myself with and the ensuing experience that gives meaning to the location. I also value the memories I share with my friends more than the photographs I take. I am forever grateful photography has provided so many opportunities for me to make friends with people from all walks of life.
Comments