One of my favorite things about photography is how, when I'm out making pictures, I completely let go of everything that would take me out of the present moment. It happens naturally. I start moving about, looking through the viewfinder, searching for unique and beautiful views, and, in the process, I forget about my worries. I let go of negative self-talk, guilt, anxiety, frustration. Without being aware of it, I am freed of all those little devils that try get me out of the now, that try to rob me of fully living every moment of my life.
That's what happened when I made this image of a cowgirl and her horse. I was leading a photography workshop on a ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills just south of Yosemite. In addition to 7 or 8 students, I had invited a few close friends, including some famous photographers - grand masters with real clout.
As we were all getting good (but not necessarily great) images of wild horses and rugged ranchers, I had an idea: why not combine "old" with "new". So I ran to my car, retrieved my laptop and cell phone, and gave them to this cowgirl. I started clicking and within seconds, I lost myself in the fun. I tried all sorts of things - images with the cell phone, images with both cell and laptop, as well as images like the one below. "This," I thought to myself, "is what photography is all about." Having fun and feeling creative - completely lost in the moment.
A few minutes into it, I peeked out from behind the viewfinder to see that all of my photographer friends had surrounded me and were equally engaged in the moment. That's another thing that happens when you're fully in the now... you give others permission to release themselves from their own concerns. If the people around you are ready, they will begin to pull the potential out of every moment themselves, in their own way.
Are you present right now?
If not, do you need to grab your camera and head out for a half hour?
I'll see you back here when you're done. In the meantime, have fun forgetting to be unhappy, getting great photos, and living in the now!
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