“Dutchman’s Breeches”
“A little piece of everywhere I go becomes a big part of everything I do.”
― Richie Norton
Spring, has to be my favorite time of year. Not just because of the warming weather, but because every day has new discoveries, sometimes many. Having spent most of my life outdoors, I’m finding myself continually amazed at just how much of my world I casually ignored.
Becoming a deliberate photographer has transformed my world and how I see it. As the quote above puts it so succinctly, these little pieces of my experience have transformed me, they have become a part of who I am. Through my photography, I’m seeing the world in news ways, appreciating life in new ways, and loving it.
I think I also need to clarify a point above. By referring to myself as a ‘deliberate’ photographer, I mean I set out with a purpose. So, rather than just snapshots of events or casual observations of my day, I set out to really ‘see’ the world around me. I take the time to study a scene and compose my images to fully express what I have seen, with the hopes that this is conveyed to my audience. At minimum, it allows me time with the scene, allowing me to fully appreciate it.
In the case of the Dutchman’s Breeches above, I’ve seen photos of the plant in books, knew it grew around here, and looked for it, with no success. I made images of a close relative to it, Squirrel Corn, last year and did not notice that the plant in this photo was only a few meters away, as well as the bloodroot I shared earlier. Now I’m spending time observing associated plants and their related growing patterns. I can honestly say that I am learning something new every day and truly enjoying the journey.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/100 sec, f/18.0 ISO 100
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Ed Lehming Photography 
Lovely shot Ed. I saw some of this on my morning woods run today. Your thoughts about becoming a “deliberate photographer” are right on and echo my attitude towards photography and life in general. The Thoreau quote from “On Walden Pond” comes to mind:
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
Keep up the good work! We’re taking a lot of the same pictures this time of year!
Cheers, John
Thanks John. Yes, Thoreau is a big influence on my approach to many things.
Funny, we do seem to shot very similar things 🙂
Lovely image, Ed. I agree and understand the feeling of being a deliberate photographer, I moved into mindful photography about five years ago when I saw everything around me so differently. The surroundings were more alive, more colorful and enchanting. I feel at one with whatever I am photographing, it is transformational.
Thanks Laura,
It’s hard to express this approach to people who have not experienced it. I like the term ‘mindful’ as well. When I’m out making photos, the entire world slips away. It’s extremely calming.
Yes it is, I’ve found myself in a place even though small for hours and come home with over 100 photos. It has really done a lot for me and the way the images turn out.
I like your concept of being a “deliberate photographer”. It describes nicely the difference between actively looking, and simply taking a photo on the way by.
Thanks Joanne. It’s taken awhile to get to the place where I can articulate that.
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Being deliberate is a great way to describe your beautiful and experienced photography. Lovely flowers!
Thank you