The Life of an Adventure Photographer…

On Tuesday at the monthly meeting of the Photography Group of the Massasoit Art Guild, our fearless leader Dayle brought along a video of “adventure photographers” for us to watch.  Man alive!  These people scale mountains, swim with sharks, jump off cliffs and do other daredevil actions just to get that one great shot.  It was fun to watch and the photos were spectacular.  But as I was sitting there, I realized that I am the polar opposite of that definition of an “adventure photographer.”  I don’t think that means I am an unadventurous photographer, I just get my jollies in other ways that are a bit more down to earth and less life threatening.  

Thich Nhat Hanh said.”People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”  I love that quote as it is, but substitute “adventure” for “miracle” in the quote and I think you will have my definition of “adventure” photography.  

It is as good a challenge to see and take decent photos of the things that surround us every day as it is to take fantastic photos in an exotic locale.  Heck, we all seem to take good vacation photos.  But look for the beauty in the mundane, commonplace and the ordinary and try to see with fresh eyes.  Sometimes I am successful and sometimes not so much.  Yes, that’s the adventure I have embarked upon with my photography.  No jumping off of cliffs for me and you’ll never find me swimming with sharks.

Long Pond through the trees on an early spring day.