Social Distancing? Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

You are on a break from travel, and your trigger finger is itching to get back out there to take some photos. What do you do?

I am in that exact situation right now. I haven’t traveled since January, and my photography workshop isn’t for another few months. 

My answer – Go back to the locations where I first fell in love with photography. The places all the local photographers have been visiting for years, the same ones I now take for granted. 

When I first started taking photos at one of my favorite spots on the shores of Lake Ontario, I was amazed at how much I have learned since I visited these locations. How my views of composition have changed, how I now have more knowledge of the tools (the camera and lens), and how I look at photographic subjects differently. 

As much as this was intended to be a tour back down memory lane. It was quickly becoming more of an affirmation that I have learned so much on my photography journey—a confidence booster. 

Then it hit me. Learning the craft of photography is not a competition with ANYONE. Photography is a self-journey of learning and finding the joy that comes from refining your style. 

One thing I have learned is that not everyone is going to like your images. That’s OK. All that matters is that you do, and you start trusting your abilities. The people that like your art will gravitate to you. Your community of photographers will begin to form. Your enjoyment of the art of photography will increase, and that will show through in your images. 

If you are like me and between travels, get out there, press the button and take the shot no matter the final product. A blurry or mis-composed image is always better than no image at all! Every image you take is a step in the right direction; it’s a step to more confidence; it’s a leap in helping you define your photographic style and gaining that self-confidence! And taking a breather from global travels to go back to those locations where you first fell in love with photography can be an affirming exercise to do. 

Kevin Pepper