It's a funny thing, The Fear of Missing Out when it comes to photography. It becomes a very real issue for many.
That gripping feeling when you see the sky start to turn from grey into a spectacular array of colors and textures, but you can't get out. The feeling when you know the supermoon is coming but you have prior commitments. Seeing the night sky clear when the Milky Way is just right but you have to be up early in the morning for work. It can be a real drain on your creativity.
FOMO was something I experienced pretty badly a few years ago. I can recall many occasions standing at the front door watching a spectacular sunset thinking to myself "I'm so annoyed I can't get out and capture this". This can be even more of an issue when you are a photographer with young children.
Mornings used to be one of those moments when I would be scrambling around getting kids ready for school, all whilst having one eye on the developing sunrise out the kitchen window, which was just spectacular. I was going to miss it, again.
I found myself feeling increasingly negative about photography, always looking out the window at what I was missing! I should have been looking inside at what I had to enjoy!
Although photography is an artform, it sometimes feels very competitive. Making sure you have 'that shot' that everyone else is out getting. Keeping up with the pack when it comes to the latest equipment. It can be exhausting.
Then something happened, I missed a spectacular sunset. The world continued to spin! Looking at social media the following day, ten thousand images of the same sunset. I thought to myself, am I really that disappointed that I missed something that every other photographer in Adelaide captured? Not really.
This was an enormous weight off my shoulders! I no longer cared that I wasn't out for each and every sunset, every Milky Way opportunity or each storm that came rolling through. I was no longer a slave to photography, just to keep up with everyone else. It really didn't matter that I missed out, why? Because I was doing something else that was important to me at the time! And that's perfectly ok.
The Aurora Australis - Seen from Grange Beach, South Australia
This year has seen some pretty remarkable events take place for photographers. None more spectacular that the amazing sight of the Southern Lights. Anyone with a phone or camera was out capturing this once in a lifetime opportunity. Back in April when the Aurora first made an appearance, I was quite unwell. All I wanted to do was jump in the car and drive to darker skies to capture this event.
Instead, I jumped in the car and drove to my local beach with the kids. It was still spectacular, and it was a shared experience with my family too.
I ended up with some unique images of a location that is special to me, and there were no other photographers around, so it was a win-win.
One of the things I've come to realise lately is the shots that really seem to be impactful for me, and those who follow me are quite often taken when there is no one else around. Images where I have ventured out on a 'what if' and come home with some unique images that no one else has taken. This makes photography interesting again, genuine. The sense of adventure and the thrill of getting that unique shot returns. That pressure that I used to feel, and so many photographers feel when the sky starts to turn is no longer there.
'Deep Blue' - Taken at Grange Jetty, South Australia
One example of this is the image above, 'Deep Blue'. It was a very wet and cold Monday morning, and I had a spare hour. So, I jumped in the car and took a drive down to the beach which was completely void of people. What it did have however, was a beautiful White Egret, a bird that I had been wanting to capture for some time. In addition, the brooding skies and soaking wet jetty produced some wonderful moody tones and reflections which created a truly unique image. No pressure, no regret that I was missing something. Just a candid moment that I was able to capture because I put myself out there for the opportunity.
It's become the same philosophy for me when it comes to camera equipment. Some people absolutely must have the most recent release from their preferred camera manufacturer. Even if their current equipment serves them well. Yes, it's always exciting to add a new piece of kit to the collection. But I have increasingly found myself questioning 'do I really need it?'
I have five digital camera bodies; all are used regularly and each for a different purpose. Recently, Canon released the very impressive EOS R5 MkII. I would be lying if I didn't consider adding it to the collection. However, I have the original R5 which is a remarkably good camera. As a landscape photographer, there is no real benefit for me to upgrade to the very latest 'just because'. My R5 will continue to meet my needs for years to come and the MkII doesn't really add anything for my style of photography.
Already the secondhand market is starting to see an increase in near new Canon R5 bodies available for sale as those photographers who upgrade at every opportunity begin to sell off their unwanted equipment. Don't get me wrong, the industry needs these people! Camera manufacturers won't continue to develop new products if no one buys them! But speaking to many photographers, I find so many people feel pressured into buying the latest and greatest even when they haven't mastered the equipment they currently use! This can be a great opportunity to buy high quality secondhand equipment at a fraction of the price of new when photographers chose to upgrade. Something I have done regularly.
The Fear of Missing out is something so many photographers grapple with, some for longer than others. The pressure that social media applies to creatives is extreme. The platforms will literally tell you when it feels you are not posting enough content! Many photographers end up posting images that are below their normal standard just to keep up with the demand or implied pressure they feel. I've learnt that most people are just scrolling by anyway!
Letting go of that weight of expectation, the need to capture every spectacular image possible just because everyone else is has been such a release for me. It has allowed me to concentrate on looking for those unique moments to capture and being truly present when I'm out capturing images. It has also allowed me to be truly present at home with my family, instead of standing by the front door like a lost puppy, moping that I am missing out on something yet again.
Just yesterday we witnessed a truly remarkable sunset in Adelaide. I would have loved to capture it, no doubt a few print sales would have resulted. But, I had commitments to family at the time, which ultimately is more important. Plenty of images saturating social media the following day!
There will always be another new camera, another sunset, another 'must have photo'. I've learnt that its ok to put the cue in the rack sometimes and say to myself, 'I'll get the next one'.
Here are a few images taken that capture the essence of what I am reflecting on in this blog. Capturing images away from the spotlight, when no-one else is around, because I wanted to shoot at these times/locations instead of feeling the need to.
' River Skies; - Captured at Walker Flat whilst on a quick night away with family.
'Into Oblivion' - Captured at Glenelg Beach.
This image came about after taking a drive down to Glenelg during the day and stumbling across this staircase. I noticed the unusually high tide and raced back down to capture this after collecting the kids from school.
'Star Dust' - Captured at Middleton
Captured during a short stay holiday with family and friends on the South Coast. I have spent lots of time wondering what the Milky Way would look like rising above this stretch of coast.
'Mystic Coast' - Captured whilst out fishing at Semaphore Beach.
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