A quick hello from the Maasai Mara and one of the most relaxing trips I’ve taken in a long while. Free from the pressure I feel when lugging around my large lenses and pro-bodies, I’ve photographed wide, chased the light when it’s there, and otherwise let the moments come while introducing my mother to this place I love so much. We’ve seen so much game, and while anyone who’s been here during migration would think our sightings meager, we’ve offset the challenge of finding that game with the fact that we’ve got this camp to ourselves and see very little in the way of other vehicles during our game drives. Still, we’ve seen the Big Five (Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino) and so much more. Tomorrow morning we take a balloon over the savannah – something that’s been on my Mom’s bucket list for a long while.
I’m still writing a post about the gear I’ve brought on this trip, but it’s reminded me again of something, which I wrote on Facebook yesterday – that when our biggest challenge as photographers is finding the right, or best, gear, and not chasing great moments, finding compelling compositions, or beautiful light, we’ve lost the heart of what’s possible with this craft. It’s easy to get lost in it. Sometimes I need to remind myself of that very thing. No Leica, Hasselblad, or other fancy box with a lens, is going to find that light, those moments, or compositions for us. So at some point soon I’ll post some thoughts about the gear I’ve brought on this trip. But don’t get too excited, it’s nothing new. Just gear that makes some things easier and other things harder. The best of my photographs still come from a different place. Heart. Imagination. Play. An ability to perceive. We’re working, even with some of the most basic, entry level cameras, with gear that masters of the last century couldn’t conceive of. Generally speaking, the best gear no more guarantees amazing photographs than the cheapest, oldest, gear, prevents them.
I hope you’re well. Forgive the lack of interactions in the comments and social media, I’ve got internet access but prefer to stay in the moment here and I’ve got 1700 square kilometers of glory to explore.
Comments
Greetings from Assam, India,
Great post and Awesome photos.
Thanks 🙂
As usual, very nicely crafted postcards. I especially love the first one framing. Waouh! I’m even surprised to see such good results with a leica, but then it’s not the gear, right? Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
You mom is VERY Lucky to have son like you. Its great to read that you are IN the moment and enjoying, there is always another day for photography – Cheers
Now, that is a nice tent! 😉
Would love to hear about the balloon trip you take with your mom.
Such moody images of the elephant. Interesting that you were able to capture it off by itself, somehow makes it more intimate. Wonderful light….
Nice article and so well said. Enjoying the moment is often so often more important than catching it. Have a great time.
David, you must either be a Zen Master, or have been one in a previous life! Your writing to me is so inspirational AND at the same time relaxing. You MAKE ME sit back and think of moments past, and moments to come. And your images, well your images are just magnificent to look at, and it makes me feel like we are all in the “moment” with you.
As an owner of much of your e-books, please, please continue to produce more, and please keep us posted. I look forward to more blog posts as time permits you.
Stay well,
J
Great insight and a great reminder on being in the moment, David. Thanks!
Somehow I feel relieved by your comments on the equipment, knowing that the mind remains the best tool we have as humans to experience the beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your moments.
Beautiful photographs and what a blessing to be in such an inspiring place. Thank you for sharing. I am a relative beginner so for me it isn’t about what gear to carry but the chasing of the next best thing, so I can apply your philosophy to working with the gear I have – so easy to get caught up in “if I just had better gear” I could move to the next level! 🙂
Stay in the moment David – we can wait. Maybe even find a moment ourselves. Enjoy the trip and your mom! Thanks for the post card – looks awesome there! Safe travels!
Hi David. enjoy the place and the relax. I’m curious to know comments from your Mom about the balloon experience. It must be very exciting. And yes, the best photos come from heart, imagination, play.
robert
PS: your photos have an addictive effect on me: one more place in my list “to visit”, maybe one day…
Good Job! 🙂
You always inspiring me with your photography. Hope can meet sometime
Love the golden glow and the sense of isolation David. The message about gear / vision has got home and I am all the better for it. So thank you for your inspiration.
Karibu Kenya (Welcome to Kenya). At this rate, you should become a resident :-)Enjoy the Mara and I concur, when we think more about the gear and less about the moment, we have lost it.
Asante sana, bwana!