That’s a wonderful phrase. Patience really is a kind of quiet strength in photography—and in life. It’s what allows us to see beyond the obvious and wait for that moment worth capturing.
After just returning from a month photographing wildlife in Kenya, this short podcast really hit home for me. Waiting for a bird to take flight. Waiting for the mother cheetah and baby to both face the camera with eyes open. Waiting for an elephant to separate from the herd. Waiting for a lion to walk into the best light. Always waiting. Without patience there is nothing meaningful. Thank you
The minuscule span of attention granted to images posted on social media is precisely the reason I have exited photography-based social media sites. Few who view these photographs give a damn about them and fewer still will pause for even a minute to look closer and think about the time, effort and skill that the photographer took to take (or make) the photograph. It's always been like that and I don't believe it will ever change. It seems that the tide is turning as people move away from social media to more consistent and curated photographic forums. Dining at a restaurant is invariably a more enjoyable and rewarding experience than a trip to McDonalds.
And there's the patience required of the photographer using a view camera, not so much for the time and effort to set it up, as the patience such a camera requires of.the photographer when searching out and taking in what the subject will be and where to stand.
Absolutely. With a view camera, patience isn’t just about the setup—it’s about slowing down enough to really see. The camera almost teaches the photographer to pause, to study the scene, and to decide with intention where to stand and what to include. That patience becomes part of the photograph itself.
Agreed, patience is not visible. But then there is luck. If I could ask Cartier-Bresson, would he agree that patience plus luck is the formula for the best images ?
That’s a great way to put it. Patience creates the conditions, and luck sometimes walks into the frame. I think Cartier-Bresson might have said it’s less about waiting for luck, and more about being so present and attentive that when “luck” happens, you’re ready to recognize it and press the shutter :)
A favorite phrase given to me as I was growing up... "patience is a virtue if you possess it"
That’s a wonderful phrase. Patience really is a kind of quiet strength in photography—and in life. It’s what allows us to see beyond the obvious and wait for that moment worth capturing.
Thoughtful and insightful as usual Tomasz!
Thank you, Ian.
Well said, Tomasz!
Thank you, David.
After just returning from a month photographing wildlife in Kenya, this short podcast really hit home for me. Waiting for a bird to take flight. Waiting for the mother cheetah and baby to both face the camera with eyes open. Waiting for an elephant to separate from the herd. Waiting for a lion to walk into the best light. Always waiting. Without patience there is nothing meaningful. Thank you
Nice job, Tomasz, and very insightful.
Thank you, Joseph!
Patience is a true asset in life, of course. The writer, Carlos Castaneda, once wrote that
"the aim is to balance the terror of being alive with the wonder of being alive."
What a powerful quote—thank you for bringing it in.
The minuscule span of attention granted to images posted on social media is precisely the reason I have exited photography-based social media sites. Few who view these photographs give a damn about them and fewer still will pause for even a minute to look closer and think about the time, effort and skill that the photographer took to take (or make) the photograph. It's always been like that and I don't believe it will ever change. It seems that the tide is turning as people move away from social media to more consistent and curated photographic forums. Dining at a restaurant is invariably a more enjoyable and rewarding experience than a trip to McDonalds.
I agree—the scroll rarely allows for real engagement. Curated spaces feel much more like a place to savor, not just consume.
And there's the patience required of the photographer using a view camera, not so much for the time and effort to set it up, as the patience such a camera requires of.the photographer when searching out and taking in what the subject will be and where to stand.
Absolutely. With a view camera, patience isn’t just about the setup—it’s about slowing down enough to really see. The camera almost teaches the photographer to pause, to study the scene, and to decide with intention where to stand and what to include. That patience becomes part of the photograph itself.
Agreed, patience is not visible. But then there is luck. If I could ask Cartier-Bresson, would he agree that patience plus luck is the formula for the best images ?
That’s a great way to put it. Patience creates the conditions, and luck sometimes walks into the frame. I think Cartier-Bresson might have said it’s less about waiting for luck, and more about being so present and attentive that when “luck” happens, you’re ready to recognize it and press the shutter :)