The extra mile

Yesterday at lunch, I overheard a conversation happening next to me.

Someone was sharing their opinion that the difference between a good basketball player and an outstanding one was -usually- the much better attitude of the latter. They don't give up, they try again. When they get hit, they get up and play harder than before.

That made me think about going the extra mile in photography.

I believe that putting a camera in the hands of a person doesn't make them a photographer. But it's not because of a lack of skills or experience. It's all about the attitude.

A photographer should go where others don't. They should do what others don't. They should arrive before everyone else, and leave after the last person is gone. A photographer should capture what others can't.

And after the work is done in the field, they should be willing to work on the much longer process that begins for some of those images.

In photography, there are no rules set in stone. I do think, though, that hard work, an open mind and perseverance will make anyone go that extra mile.