Determination

We live in a fast food instant gratification society. We want everything yesterday and if we have to wait for it, more often than not, we move on to something else.

Nature however is old school. It really doesn’t care how soon you want something. Everything it does happens on its own time and since nature has been around for billions of years, it’s certainly not going to rush anything just because you don’t have the patience.

In an earlier post I talked about the necessity of having patience if you wanted to be a good nature and wildlife filmmaker. Another virtue you need to have is determination. Without determinations, you’ll just move on to something easier, closer, different.

Iowa has Been the Cloud Capital of the World

I don’t know if it’s climate change or what but since that latter part of last year and so far pretty much this year, I can count the number of times I’ve seen the sun on one hand. As I write this post it’s raining and we have 100% cloud cover. Guess what the forecast is for tomorrow and the next day and the next? Yep, more of the same.

I have the patience to wait for clear skies but I’m also determined to get the night time-lapse sequences I want.

I also have some new time-lapse gear that I’m trying to perfect before I head to Utah this month. I’m determined to get that all dialed in before I leave even if I have to shoot in my backyard to get exposures and intervals correct before I go.

Patience helps you stay in the field. Determination keeps you going back.

If you have a shot in your head or you want to film in a certain set of circumstances, don’t let anything deter you from making it happen. One thing I do if I can’t get a shot I want right away is to jot it down in my notes. That way I won’t forget it and who knows, upon review down the road I may have improved upon the original idea and made it eve better.

Bottom line is if you want a shot and you can’t get it for whatever reason, don’t let it drop. Dig in your heels, pack up your gear and get back out there and try again until the shot is in the can. If you thought it was good enough to go out and get it the first time, it should still be good enough to go out and try for a second, third or however long it takes to get that shot added to your library.
And as always, shoot the ordinary and make it extraordinary!