Photographing Alone; Photographing With Other Photographers

San Xavier del Bac Mission, AZ (click to enlarge)
Nikon D810, 24-120mm f/4 VR lens @ 38mm; 1/500 sec. @ f8; ISO 64

Sometimes I just have to be alone to find and produce the images I want to make. Other times I love going out with friends who are photographers and share the experience. Why the difference?  Read on.

Most of the time I find photography a solo endeavor.  I find I just need to be alone, letting my mind and inclination take me where it may, taking as much time, going where I need to go and expending all of my efforts on thought, concentration and creativity.  During these times, I can't afford to be distracted, otherwise I will fail at finding the images for which I am looking.  During these times, I just can't mentally and creatively multi-task.

And... it is during those times, I find photographing with others distracting.  I find conversation interrupts my flow of thought.  I find myself feeling restricted in movement and time as I find myself silently worrying if others want to move on when I still want to linger, look, feel and examine a certain subject or area—and most importantly, wait for the light. I find that being engaged in conversation results in images that are missed. Birds fly, things change and the wind, for which I may have been waiting to die down, did so and it is now blowing again causing me to miss opportunities. Those kinds of things are common when out photographing with others.  In the end, I never feel as though I was able to fully explore or capture the images that may have been there.

Other times, I truly enjoy being with other photographers.  Especially those who practice the same type of photographic philosophy as me.  That means hunting, exploring, finding, and culling images out of seemingly nothing interesting as well as staying in one place for enough time to fully explore everything there is to explore there. I very much look forward to these times as well.  

Often times, the other photographers have other agendas and, even if we are out photographing together, but we kind of go our separate ways and follow our own visions. That is good.  The best of both worlds, so to speak.  Additionally, these times feel more lighthearted.  I enjoy the conversation, the interaction, the sharing of ideas and comparing points of view, differing compositions and the resulting images. It is these times when photography seems more "fun" than a serious endeavor.

During these times, I think it is more about a group of friends, or individuals who have the same interest, sharing the experience more than actually bringing home great images.  I think this happens in a lot of activities.  Whether fishing, hunting, antiquing, or anything else, I think that the shared experience together is just as satisfying as the object of the endeavor.

But the bottom line for me is, no matter if alone or with others, I find photography very satisfying and and enjoyable and strive to practice it as much as I can.

Just my thoughts for today...


Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.

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