Some Things You Don’t Share

There is no image to share with today’s post, and I hope you’ll read on to find out why.

I think the more I share images, and my life, on social media, the more I’ve learned that there are some moments you don’t share. They don’t even have to be intimate or personal, to be kept to yourself. Not everyone needs to know you ate Chinese food today. I kid, of course.

Last weekend, while I was in the central coast, I woke up ridiculously early, as usual, and drove down to the beach to watch the sunrise. I took my camera with me, and had my iPhone, but I didn’t shoot with either. Instead, I just sat there, watching the colors in the sky, and ocean, change.  I also listened to the ocean and watched people start their day with a jog along the cliff, while I sat on my ass with a delicious cup of coffee. I felt like I was more able to perceive the subtle differences in light and color, without a camera between me and the world. I noticed how the light reflected off of the clouds, and onto parts of the ocean, turning it lavender. By not focusing on getting a good photo to share, I was able to take in more than I normally would.

It’s funny how looking at the world through a screen, or through a lens, can remove you from reality, if ever so slightly. It makes me wonder how cameras and phones have affected everyone’s connection with reality. Just in case you weren’t aware, the camera’s sensor doesn’t pick up everything our eyes do.

Before I close out this different blog post, I’d like to share a quote.

Often while traveling with a camera we arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film, only time enough to expose our hearts.

-Minor White

This one has stuck with me over the years. Maybe, we shouldn’t wait until after the light has passed, to expose our hearts. In talking to some other insanely talented photographers, I’ve come to find that a lot of them will get to a location at least an hour early, and spend time just soaking in the scene in front of them. They won’t even take out their camera until they’ve spent time surveying everything. They think about compositions, anticipate the light and colors, and do their best to connect to the scene before taking any photos.

What do you think about this process? Do you expose your heart before or after you shoot, if at all?