136 Speeding Up the process of Slowing Down

If you’re like me, you’re always hopeful that the time spent out shooting will be rewarding and productive. But sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Sometimes we continue to be distracted or otherwise “out of it” in a manner of speaking. I’m thrilled to have Lori and Brie join me to tackle this topic on this edition of Latitude Photography Podcast, Episode 136 for December 5, 2021 Check out the expanded show notes here: https://latitudephotographypodcast.com/episode/136 Year-End Challenge: Go through your 2021 images and select 10–20 that represent your best efforts of the year. Submit them to the fb group for the show so we can see what you’ve been up to and so that we can also cheer you on. I’d also love some brief commentary. Tell us how you’ve GROWN over the last year. That would be amazing. Or tell us your challenges and tell us how you plan to grow this year. Use the Hashtag #TopImages2021 Just a quick note before we jump into the main topic with Lori and Brie… I mention in this conversation about a future episode with Greg Benz. It’s actually going to be two weeks from today that it’s released, the 19th of December. In this conversation I said “next week” and I just wanted to clear that up. Also, there will be other announcements and what-not afterwards, please stick around for that! And now,,, off to the conversation where we’re looking at this notion of speeding up the process of slowing down. Get yourself on the Globetrotter notifications list. https://brentbergherm.com/latitude-photo-school/globetrotter/ Find out more about the Palouse Shoot-n-Print Workshop https://brentbergherm.com/workshops/palouse-shoot-n-print-workshop/ The price is increasing 18% for Latitude Photography School on Jan 2, 2022. Sign up today to lock in current prices. https://brentbergherm.com Main Topic Speeding Up the process of Slowing Down in your photography Setting the stage, what’s this all about? Optimizing Opportunities for Creativity -  (Lori) Forecast potential photography events, such as weather, sunrise & sunsets, celestial events, full moon, new moon, Milky Way, etc. Consider things that might be of interest to you, local events, animal migrations, blooming seasons, etc. Put these events on a calendar and set aside time to photograph them in advance.  For weather and celestial events, pre-plan the closest locations you can get to quickly in case an unanticipated event is happening. I use a weather app called Clear to forecast sunrise & sunsets. I use Aurora Pro to forecast Aurora events. The forecast is key to capturing these types of events. Figuring out what works best for you Trying to “get into the zone” of photography Brent’s Tips If you’ve been at something a while… Take a break Great for long post-production sessions Get out and change your scenery-environment It should last at least 20 minutes, I’ve never seen it work with a shorter time frame, it often takes longer If you’re trying to concentrate on the project at hand, the shoot, or in post-production Turn off your notifications on your phone and-or computer Spend some time decompressing, transitioning to the “zone.” If your mind is racing, or constantly distracted, grab a notepad and write down all the things you’re thinking about. Use the notetaking feature on your phone if needed. Write it down and get it out of your mind. Clear your mind. If you’re doing “car-based shooting” where you don’t have to hike much you’re at a disadvantage with this process. Be patient. Don’t rush it. It feels counterintuitive but it seriously works. Brie’s Tips Same as Brent - Just actually SLOW DOWN!!  When we rush it can cause us to make easy mistakes. Rushing can stop us from focusing on the present and being intentional with our photography. We have a greater chance of enjoyment and success when we can be patient. If you find yourself rushing, take a minute to breathe deeply and relax your body. Plan ahead!  Be intentional in how you approach your photography so you can create your experience on purpose. Plan ahead to be patient and focus on the experience.  I do this all the time and it works! Lori’s Tips Allocate time for photography in advance… create a large block of time Mute your cell phone, don’t post on social media during photo trips, only afterwards.  Upon arrival at your site, take time to get plugged into the environment. Use as many of your senses as you can to explore your surroundings. Sight… Look around and scan for interesting things, both large & small. Listen… Can you hear wind in the trees, nearby streams, birds, bugs, etc. Touch… Feel the breeze on your skin, the texture of rocks, trees, etc. Breathe Deeply… Pull fresh air deep into your lungs. Plants, flowers, and even animals often give off aromas that can make you aware of their presence. Let yourself be fully absorbed into the nature experience. Imagine yourself as a part of the environment, not just an observer of the environment. Be inquisitive… Seek out some of the things you learned from using your senses.    Announcements, Resources, and Links If you enjoyed this episode of Latitude Photography Podcast, I invite you to consider going further with your photography experience. Latitude Photography School is all about helping you connect the dots between your vision, purpose and achievement in your photography. It’s for travel/outdoor photographers who are comfortable with their gear and want to do more, explore more, and really hone in on their craft. All the lessons and conversations are geared towards tapping into your unique vision and then creating more meaningful photographs. You’ll also learn things to sharpen your skills and your purpose with your photography as well. The price is increasing on January 2, 2022. But if you sign up now you’ll be able to lock in the current rate. Please check out the website for more information https://brentbergherm.com Another thing about Latitude Photography School, I’m revamping my Globetrotter program. It is the ultimate experience to infuse energetic growth into your photography experience. This is accomplished through a focused 9-week experience that is starting in mid March, 2022. It includes lifetime access to the website, weekly sessions, both individual with just me AND group sessions with other globetrotters. If you want to get started with something right away, I say go ahead and sign up for the Adventurer program. And if you want to then upgrade to the Globetrotter experience you’ll be able to just pay the difference between the two programs once it’s released.  Please find the link in the show notes about the Globetrotter interest list and you’ll be the first to be notified when it’s open and available. It will open on March 1, 2022, and then enrollment will close on March 11, 2022. We’ll then start right after that with our sessions and lessons. You can also expect customized assignments and readings as this is a program designed to address your interests and needs to help you grow and transform into the photographer you want to become.  And if you can’t dedicate yourself to a solid nine weeks, don’t worry, we can accommodate some custom schedules too :) https://brentbergherm.com/latitude-photo-school/globetrotter/   View the the show notes on the website: https://latitudephotographypodcast.com/episode/136 New way to support the show. Donation page on the website. One dollar will send me one mile down the road. Thank you for your support! https://latitudephotographypodcast.com/donate/ Join the notifications list to stay in the know about all the things happening here on the podcast, on my website and workshops I’m planning. I plan to send you an update every 6–8 weeks and I’ll include brief stories behind the images and as always, lessons learned while making them. https://brentbergherm.com/notifications/ Shop at lensrentals.com with my affiliate link and I’ll get a small commission of the sale: https://www.pntrs.com/t/TUJGRktHSkJGTk1KSEpCRkpOSkVN I also have an affiliate link with ThinkTank Photo http://bit.ly/2IMRhOT Peak Design affiliate link https://bit.ly/3CEpsBp Grab yourself a copy of the Lumenzia extension for Photoshop, and if you’re interested, Greg offers two deep dive courses as well. 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Find me on instagram @brentbergherm https://www.instagram.com/brentbergherm/ Find me on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/brentberghermphotography Find me online at https://brentbergherm.com Find Brie Stockwell:  https://www.instagram.com/asliceofbrie2020/ and my blog at https://asliceofbrie.com https://www.facebook.com/LoriRowlandPhotography Find Lori Rowland at: https://www.instagram.com/lori_rowland_photography/ https://oregonexposures.com/