thanks to ASD

thanks to ASD, originally uploaded by jamesburden.

Sometimes I think about giving up the whole photography thing. Some days it seems hard to keep up the creativity, to go through the hassle of sorting and posting, to come up with something worthwhile saying. And try as I might, it is difficult to react with composed serenity when a photo that I really like doesn’t get as many views or comments or faves as I think it is ‘worth’. As people, let alone photographers, we look to make a difference, and we look for signs that we are making that difference. And it can sometimes be dispiriting when you don’t see those signs.

Then something unexpected comes along. Someone sends you a flickr mail asking how you’re doing because they haven’t seen you post in a while, or someone blogs or retweets your photo saying how much it meant to them or what it communicated. A good friend of mine did that today. Next time you feel the urge to do a spontaneously impetuously nice thing for someone – do it! You will make a big difference to someone’s day. Thanks Andrew. You made a big difference to mine.

This is one of my favourite shots of my trip to Shenandoah. Ironically this shot is all about composed serenity (which I so often lack). I wandered round this spot for ages just breathing in the wilderness and experiencing a serenity that I can never seem to find when I’m consciously looking for it.

Now – I wonder how many views, comments and faves this shot will get…!