“Photography rewards the unexpected instant,
rather than the careful planning of what might very well not come”
I read this in a manual today, for some audio equipment I am learning. I adapted it for photography because I think it is relevant for any creative endeavour.
The difficulty being, that as a beginner, we often need rules, or goals with which to work with to get us some place. But real artistry comes from leaving the path of rules and expectations, and going with the creative flow.
Rather than being the one to guide the work, we should really let the work guide us.
Similarly, tyring to get out of something you arranged, or that has fallen into place, is pretty much all about you fighting against the current of your own life.
I chose to come to Torres del Paine a few days before a tour I am running here, to camp. I wanted to do this for a few reasons. Mainly it was a way of reconnecting with my 35 year old self when I first came here in 2003. But also, I dearly wanted to come and do some lone photography. It has been 18 years since I last did any here.
On paper, the attraction of being alone was something I yearned for, but once I got here, I really felt like I could do with some company. I tried to change my plans only to find out that it would be difficult to do so. So I had to stay put. In hindsight, this was me fighting what was already set in place. As they days have progressed, I’ve noticed that staying put turned out to be the right thing to do. I am where I should be.
I am here at the very end of the season. The staff have told me I am the only person booked in. They were surprised that someone chose to come to the park so late in the season.
It is baltic here. Snow on the ground, and it is very clear to me that they are all waiting to go home at the end of a very busy season (bear in mind that their seasons are reversed - they are now heading into winter time, whereas in the northern hemisphere everyone is now looking forward to enjoying their summer).
And so, a silly 57 year old Scot has turned up, and I suppose they feel they need to look after me. One has offered me their sleeping mat (because as the staff member has pointed out to me “it’s colder than you might have thought it would be”).
If this wasn’t enough to make me realise that there are a group of concerned individuals looking after someone who clearly shouldn’t be here, another member of the camping staff has taken it upon himself to approach me and says “ you have used more than half of your fuel, but you still have more than half of your stay to go”. He is offering to use a petrol can while at the nearest town (95km away) to fill up for me.
And so, I reckon, that despite me wanting to curtail my trip camping and to head back to civilisation, I am where I should be. I am amongst friends, albeit new ones.
Accept the help when it is offered, is perhaps something we should all take heed of. It’s not about pride, it’s not about being self sufficient. It’s about letting someone, even a complete stranger, show you that they care about you. It is also a way of integrating into a small social system. You contribute by accepting help, by letting others know you are approachable and someone who can be worked with.