Focus

Everything has beauty, but not everybody sees it. - Confucius

The last sliver of the sun slowly starts to descend in the horizon. Fine wisps of clouds blanket the sky amidst the wide array of colours. Waves gently break on the surf and spread thinly across the sand. Leaning palm trees scatter the foreground. The culmination of all these elements warrants a photograph. Ideas rush through my mind as I reach for my camera. What touch ups in Lightroom does this need? Should I use an Instagram filter? What description should I write up to describe this image best? Which hashtags should I use? I take my time to frame the shot ensuring that all the important details are captured. Just as I’m about to press down on the shutter, I pause. Am I truly present right now? I slowly start to lower the camera, turn it back off and just stare silently out into the ocean. Did I just miss an opportunity to take an epic picture? My love for photography has inspired me to find new and interesting material to capture. The pursuit of perfecting this craft can sometimes come with a price, especially when paired with a social media platform. The art can transform from being a personal endeavour to a production that appeals to the masses. Digital media has the power to take away the essence of the “why” in taking a picture. Additionally, my focus would all too often be on the camera preview screen rather than the beauty that is all around me. True immersion in the moment will capture nuances that a photograph never could. Experiences should be less about the camera focus ring and more about inner focus. Less about the social media recognition and more about recognising gratitude. Less about how to capture the moment and more about being in the moment. Focus on taking back the moment.