In a few months, I will be boarding a flight to Japan. I’m visiting Tokyo and Sapporo, and I can hardly contain my excitement. I will spend the first week with my wife in Tokyo, and then I’ll head to Sapporo by myself, focusing purely on photography for the whole week. This got me thinking about the last time I was this excited about shooting in new environments, which was earlier this year in Vietnam. Despite my excitement and energy, I didn’t achieve the quality of work I was hoping for. I took some photos I was happy with, but I expected much more from myself. This wasn’t the first time this has happened while traveling. I always have high hopes for my photography in new environments, but I rarely seem to hit my stride.
Earlier this week, I asked on Threads: Do you find it easier to take photos in familiar surroundings or in new and unfamiliar environments? I received a mix of answers. As I responded to some of the comments, I began to structure my own thoughts more clearly and (hopefully) understand why I have been unsuccessful in taking great photos in new environments in the past.
Many commenters said they found it easier to take pictures in unfamiliar environments, citing the excitement of being somewhere new and away from what has become comfortable. This is how I always feel too, but then why have I been unsuccessful in the past?
Here’s the answer I’ve come up with: I do my best work in places I have visited and photographed countless times because I have already taken all the obvious shots that initially stand out. This forces me to think outside the box to create something new, resulting in more unique photographs that require more thought and effort. When I’m traveling, I’m overwhelmed by my excitement and haven’t been able to detach myself enough to think clearly about what I’m doing. I end up taking only the obvious pictures that stand out at first glance.
There’s nothing wrong with taking those obvious pictures; they are important. However, this time in Japan, I’m going to be mindful of when I’m only taking those obvious pictures and remind myself to slow down and truly observe what’s happening in the space I find myself in. Rather than being overcome with excitement and the drive to explore, I need to slow down and notice what makes life interesting where I am. This is what I do in Hong Kong when I take my best pictures. I need to be able to do this in new environments too.
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