October Reflections: Getting Out There, Looking Closer, and Growing
October gave me plenty to do. I've been exploring the Shore, working on my photography, trying out a new everyday camera, and attending a few photography events. Looking back, it's not really about how much I did. It's about what I learned along the way and how I choose to spend my time.
I've been thinking about how much that choice matters. I'm still working, but it's work I want to do. The difference is that now I get to choose the projects I work on, the people I spend time with, and the events I attend. I can spend my time learning, exploring, and being around people who share my interests. I'm still busy, but it's a different kind of busy, and one I enjoy a lot more.
Learning to Look Closer
I've been spending more time walking the Jersey Shore and photographing the places that give our towns their character. On a recent walk through Ocean Grove, I photographed the houses above the dunes, the dune grass, storefronts, and the angry Atlantic during a nor'easter. The Shore is familiar to me, but there's always something new to notice. Sometimes it's the light falling across a building, the way dune grass changes a composition, or a small detail that tells you something about a place. Photography keeps reminding me that looking and seeing aren't quite the same thing. It's easy to walk past something without giving it much thought. Slowing down and paying attention can change what you notice.
I'm also learning to be more deliberate with the camera. What's the subject? What's competing with it? Where should I focus? Would moving a few feet make the picture better? I don't get it right every time, but that's part of learning. The important thing is to recognize what I could do better and try again the next time.
The Value of Good Company
October also brought three events that stood out: the bird photography bootcamp in Cape May, the Focus Camera event with its cars and conversations, and the Adobe Photowalk in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Each gave me something different. I learned from other photographers, had conversations, and saw familiar things from a different perspective. Just as important, I spent time with people who share an interest and are willing to exchange ideas.
As we get older, I think it's worth being more deliberate about where we put our time and energy. We can't control every person we meet or every situation we find ourselves in. But we can make choices about the company we keep and the things we give our attention to. I appreciate opportunities that leave me with something to think about or something new to learn. We don't have to agree on everything or see the world the same way. A little mutual respect and a willingness to learn go a long way.
Less Equipment, More Photographing
I've also been changing my everyday camera setup, moving from my older Sony RX100 VA to the OM SYSTEM PEN. My Sony A7R V still has its place when I'm planning a shoot or want its resolution, but the PEN makes it easier to grab a camera and head out without carrying a bigger setup. I ordered a Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens from Samy's Camera, hoping to make the setup smaller still. It's a small change, but it fits with something I've been learning: the equipment matters, but only up to a point.
Having the latest or biggest setup doesn't automatically make a better photograph. What matters is getting out there, paying attention, and making the best picture you can with what you have. There's always another camera or lens to consider. At some point, you have to put the equipment aside and use what you've got.
Keeping Things in Perspective
Not every day is productive. Some days I'm tired, some days the photographs don't come together, and some days I don't feel particularly inspired. That's life. I've been trying to spend less energy worrying about things I can't control and more time on the things I can: learning, making photographs, being respectful, and deciding where my attention belongs. Other people will have their opinions, and things won't always go the way I'd like. I can't control that, but I can choose how much time and energy I give it. I'd rather stay curious, keep improving, and enjoy the people and activities I've chosen to be part of. There's enough to learn and experience without getting caught up in everything else.
Looking Ahead
I don't have any grand plans for November. I'll keep walking the Shore, working on my photography, and seeing what catches my eye. There are still plenty of places to explore and plenty of things I haven't learned yet.
Looking back on October, I'm reminded that progress doesn't always arrive as some big achievement. Sometimes it's learning to see a little more clearly, asking a better question, meeting someone who gives you a new perspective, or simply spending your time on something that matters to you. I don't need to have everything figured out. I'll keep learning, keep looking closer, and make the most of the time I have. For now, that's enough.
