Freeman Patterson once said “If you do not see what is around you every day, what will you see when you go to Tangiers?” I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, as I’m heading for Morocco in March, – and excited about what I’ll experience and photograph while there. But his statement rings true in my mind. If we can’t see creatively right where we are, what makes us think we’ll see creatively in a new place? Yes, there’s always the newness of a place to excite the eyes, to inspire us to create, but if we haven’t been practicing seeing while at home, we just might be a little rusty and miss some great pictures because we’re not ‘primed’ – not open to all of what’s there. I’m guilty of having wanderlust – an insatiable curiosity about life elsewhere – and the only thing that curbs my travels is my wallet. Like this bear, I’m curious about what’s ‘over there’. Yet what’s right around me can be just as visually rich and interesting as anything ‘out there.’ I simply need to look at everything with a curiosity and openness, wherever I am, to find good pictures.
Hi Stacey – yes, he has had a lasting influence on many of us in nature/outdoor photography, at least. It’s hard to get into his workshops – they are lottery, I believe. I’m usually committed to some workshop or tour of my own during most of his schedule so I haven’t even been able to try – but I would if I were you.
Hi Brenda,
Just for your information, they don’t use the lottery system anymore. I attended his workshop last year and would highly recommend to any serious photographer. Although he has added more workshops this year, I heard they are full but you can add your name to the Wait List.
Thanks for that update, Sabrina.
Brenda, Freeman’s writings inspired me to write a similar blog entry just this past month: http://staceyglloyd.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-name.html
He sure has had a long lasting impact on the photographic community. Did you ever attend one of his workshops? Always think I should before he is no longer doing them.
Heh, Jerry – I like that quote too. Thanks for sharing it here!
“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see. The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
Always liked that quote.
Great idea, Scott – John Burroughs said “To learn something new, take the path that you took yesterday.” We can extrapolate that to ‘see something new” I believe.
Rajbir – I will be coming to India in November, provide I get enough people to join me on a great photo tour planned through Destination Himalaya http://destinationhimalaya.net/india/ITN-IndiaPhotoBrenda.php
Not sure I’ll have time beyond that scheduled itinerary, though but I’ll see what I can do!
I take a photowalk around my home town, at least, once a month. There is always something new to see or something old to see for the first time. It’s a good exercise to keep one “primed”. 🙂
what about me rajbir???
Hi! Brenda
If you ever want to get down to India. It will be a pleasure to host you. Jim was over a few years ago and it was great!!
rajbir