The dance of patience: How patience has shaped my long-term photography projects
Flexibility and adaptability are essential aspects of the creative process
This is the third newsletter on long-term photography. The previous newsletters are mentioned at the end of this post.
As I embarked on this personal journey, I learned valuable lessons about patience and its transformative power in nurturing my creativity and allowing my photographic vision to flourish.
Along the way, I encountered obstacles and setbacks that tested my patience. Technical challenges, creative blocks and moments of self-doubt threatened to derail my progress. But I discovered that these moments were opportunities for growth. Patience taught me to persevere, to embrace the learning process and to see each setback as a stepping stone to improvement.
Sometimes, despite our best intentions and patient efforts, a long-term photography project does not turn out the way we had originally envisioned. As disappointing as this can be, patience can also help us navigate these moments of uncertainty and gracefully embrace the possibility of change.
“Flexibility and adaptability are essential aspects of the creative process”
In my own creative journey, I have experienced instances where the direction of a project has changed or my enthusiasm has waned over time. At first, I found it challenging to accept that the path I had chosen might not lead to the desired destination. However, I learned that flexibility and adaptability are essential aspects of the creative process through the practice of patience.
Patience allowed me to step back and re-evaluate the project with a fresh perspective. It encouraged me to review my original goals and motivations and question whether they were still in line with my evolving artistic perspective. Sometimes the passage of time and patient reflection revealed new paths to explore or alternative approaches to take.
I realised that the ability to gracefully let go of a project that no longer resonated was a sign of the growth and evolution of my creative spirit. Instead of seeing it as a failure, I began to see it as a natural progression of my artistic journey - a stepping stone to new possibilities and unforeseen creative horizons.
“Detours and direction changes can lead to even greater discoveries”
In these moments of redirection or shifting interests, patience becomes a guiding force. It allows us to trust the unfolding of our creative path and to believe that detours and direction changes can lead to even greater discoveries. Patience teaches us that it is not just about reaching a particular destination, but about the transformative process of exploration and self-discovery along the way.
By accepting the potential for change and being patient with ourselves, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and fresh inspiration. We may discover new subjects that ignite our passion or stumble upon unexpected projects that capture our imagination. The willingness to let go and adapt allows us to continually evolve as artists, always looking for new ways to express ourselves.
Patience teaches us that the outcome of a long-term photographic project is not solely defined by its completion or by sticking to the original plan. It is about the growth, self-discovery and creative expansion that occurs throughout the journey. By patiently navigating the twists and turns, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves as artists and find satisfaction in the ever-evolving process of creation.
So as we embark on our long-term photographic projects, we should embrace the possibility that they may take unexpected turns or evolve in unforeseen ways. Let patience be your compass, guiding you through the uncertainties and allowing you to adapt and grow gracefully. In doing so, we open ourselves to the limitless potential of creativity and find joy in the ongoing exploration of our artistic passions.
NOTE: This series on long-term photography projects will be followed by some more posts in the coming months. It takes quite some time to sort out my thoughts and develop them into a readable articles, so please be patient.
Long-Term Photography Project Series:
Part 1 | Embrace the journey: The beauty of long-term photography projects
Part 2 | Unveiling the soul: Discovering meaning and purpose in long-term photography projects
Part 3 | The dance of patience: How patience has shaped my long-term photography projects
Part 4 | Building authentic connections: Forging meaningful bonds in long-term photography projects
Part 5 | Selective alchemy: Weaving your magnum opus through the art of choosing
Part 6 | The afterlife of your 'killed darlings': Crafting a narrative beyond the series
Part 7 | The long haul: Triumphs, challenges and collaborations in long-term photography projects
Part 8 | Evolution of vision: Adapting style and capturing change over time
That’s it for this week,
Till next time,
Love these posts. How many more will you do on this topic?