What If

They say you shouldn’t dwell too much on ‘what-ifs’ but what if (see what I did there) we examined one for fun?  Like those ‘if you were stranded on a desert island with only one book or one song’ kind of ‘what-ifs’, what if you could only photograph one subject from now on; what would you choose to photograph?

I’m sure the subject of your eye would change over time (it has for me). Differing perspectives brought about by age and experience will definitely make a mark on what we find engaging.  For me, right now, storms would obviously be high on my list. Storms would probably be number one – at the risk of offending loved ones who may think they should occupy that spot.  And, it isn’t just because I think storms are photogenic (they are, for the record). It’s because of the other aspects of shooting storms that make them a fulfilling subject for me.

There’s the anticipation of planning the shoot based on the weather forecasting that happens.  It’s kind of like fishing (something I was fairly rabid about in my younger days); where will the fish be and will they bite once I get there?  The planning stage of photography can be important to outcomes. Pre-visualizing and having a plan to execute help.  Things may not unfold as planned (especially true with storms) but there’s a foundation for getting things started. Nothing feels as good as when your plan or idea pans out as envisioned and you have a photo that you are happy with.

There’s the peacefulness found in hanging out in rural spaces while awaiting these big weather events.  In our hectic paced lives we often forget about the benefits of slowing down.  Taking some time to be in the moment is a good thing for me.  Meeting farmers and chatting on the side of a gravel road is interesting (for the record, farmers are some of the most generous folks you will meet – they’ll ‘come down to make sure you don’t need help’). Many will share stories about weather related events from their past and I find it fun to engage about a common subject and how it resonates for others for personal reasons.  Weather is a pretty universal thing to the human condition.

There’s the excitement, exhilaration and awe when storms get close.  Storms ground me. They remind me of the scale of my surroundings and humble me when I see how small I am in relation. They remind me that much bigger natural systems are at play around me; things that can’t be managed but more endured. When we talk about shelter being a necessity for the human experience, it’s mainly because of natural systems that generate storms. Storms make me feel more alive. And, they look great in a photograph when you ‘catch’ one.

What if?