You need create images that are emotional and carefully crafted artistically. Aim to create a feeling of inner peace, and, an awareness of the true beauty that lies everywhere around you. So, in order to really appreciate this great craft, you have to learn to let go, leave all your troubles behind and make this wonderful experience all about you. Do not and I repeat do not enter this world simply to get praises, ribbons, awards etc. You might end up being discouraged and unmotivated by the numerous negative comments people say about your work. You clearly have to learn to take criticism to your advantage and strive to endlessly perfect your craft. In all walks of life all the greatest masters and successful people have endured a battery of negative unconstructive comments and opinions but still made it on top because of only one thing…they believed in themselves. We are often worth a lot more than we think. So never despair, believe in yourself and let nature take its course.
Every time you are outdoors enjoying this great passion, stop for a minute and think that all this beauty you are witnessing is presently there just for you, nobody else in the world sees exactly what you see, feels exactly what you feel and will capture exactly what you will capture. This will make each moment you capture a very special one that you, and others cherish forever. Let your emotions guide you thru this incredible journey.
Nature & Landscape Photography is for everyone, you do not have to climb the highest mountains nor traveled to far away exotic places. I am 100% confident that every single person has a multitude of beautiful locations at their proximity and can enjoy this incredible passion to the fullest. The beauty of nature is everywhere. I have taken many images in ordinary locations but the trick here is to open your heart and soul and be able to see the beauty in all places. I recall a time when a photographer from Singapore commented on one of my pictures to tell me how fortunate I was to live in an area so beautiful and they only wished to live in such a place to shoot landscape photography. The picture in question was taken in Ile Perrot,Quebec a very ordinary location and when I say ordinary, I mean it; even people that are very familiar with that place do not believe that it was taken there. This just goes to show that by using your imagination you can easily create a work of art from a location most people would classify as nothing special. I remember thinking…I sure would rather be in Singapore shooting instead of Ile Perrot but quickly realized that like most people, (sometimes me included) that person was trying to justify the facts that he wasn’t shooting as much as he would love to with an excuse thus making him feel better. If this is what you really want to do, and that you truly feel the passion inside of you do not ever use excuses why you are not able to pursue your dream. Make it a point to get out there at least once a week. I am fully aware that with work, family and other commitments it is not always easy to find the time, but you have to do what will make you feel alive. We are all born to create in various forms and I strongly believe that a man that cannot perform his passion will quickly feel like a man without a soul. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer says it so well when he states, “ Do not die with your music still in you” (my favorite quote) meaning do not die without accomplishing your passion or what you were born to do. In our case we have to use the statement. “Do not die with your photography still inside of you” Bring’em all out for the world to see and leave your footprints for generations to enjoy.