The Adventurer's Mindset
Do you ever wondered why some people are so amazing in the world of photography and exploration? No, I'm not talking about those famous influencers who edit photos well...
Today I want to bring again some points that go beyond the ordinary when we enter the world of adventures, and consequently of photography. I want to bring in mental aspects rather than technical ones, as mental change is what comes first when you want to become something.
If you look at the great explorers of the last few centuries like Ernest Shackleton, Sebastião Salgado, Nellie Bly, Steve McCurry, what do these adventurers have in common? Let’s go!
1. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to resist and recover from a crisis. It's a measure of how flexible you are and how strong you are. Imagine a storm and how the trunks of a tree bend in the wind so it doesn't break...so...that's it!
In adventure and photography, resilience is needed at all times. You will face situations where fear, cold, heat, pain, disappointment, will want at all costs to break your spirit. That's where you have to bend over and let it go.
I've been in situations of extreme fatigue on trails, I've been in situations of freezing cold where the head starts not thinking clearly anymore (and the camera stops working), I've been in situations where you accidentally forget about important equipment or let it break...
As for the great heroes of the adventure, the hole is much deeper: imagine spending weeks on an expedition without bathing, privacy, in situations of scarcity? Imagine facing real dangers in the midst of wars, conflicts or dealing with hostile peoples? Imagine all this now with a mission to go back and show the world this frightening facet, natural or not, of our reality?
All of this you need to know is: Be resilient. Take a deep breath, stay calm and you will become a better person.
2. Master Kaizen
I had, and still have, the unique opportunity to teach thousands of people within my company about continuous improvement, productivity and other things that are very valuable to the business world. But, how does this apply to adventure and photography?
First of all, let me explain to you what the word Kaizen means... Kaizen is an oriental philosophy of continuous improvement. Be 1% better every day. Build your castle one block at a time.
In this philosophy it is crucial that you do, fail, learn and improve every single day. Then you should already be starting to see how this fits into the concept of resilience and into adventure and photography.
You will need to shoot A LOT to start getting good. It's no use ONLY watching courses and content. You need to practice and do your Kaizen every day.
It was for an expedition: learn and improve the next one...
Did a photo shoot: learn and improve the next...
His trail and sunrise photography was a disaster: learn and improve next...
I've been on the Youtuber journey for 6 years and about 8 on the journey and landscape photography journey. If I show you my beginning, you'll even be happy that I was so weak... but that was the beginning of everything. Without the first step and learning, you will stay in the stands forever.
If you have that mindset you will soon be a champion. Trust me!
3. Love the Experience (Live in the moment)
This one I confess that I'm still learning: If you want to be a real adventurer you will want to be a lover of experiences and want to live always in the present.
Sometimes we tend to want to embark on a journey and think exaggeratedly about the results, in that single photo, on the D-day of the whole parade.
Do not do it.
Plan, mind, but when you hit the road, just enjoy every moment.
The moments that unfold at every moment can be as valuable as what you imagined before, or even more! I've taken countless pictures just from pulling the car over the road and seeing an amazing view. Or just to be awestruck by that sunset on the road that just happened...
Also don't forget to save moments with people, food and small things that the place offers you.
For a while I focused TOO MUCH on the perfect picture, the perfect place, the perfect weather, the perfect time, and I was disappointed. The worst thing is that afterwards you remember everything with laughter and end up valuing that special moment with a warm meal inside your cabin.
4. Focused on the journey
You as an adventurer and photographer need to be focused on the journey. As we talked about in the previous topic, it is on the journey that you will find the ups and downs, the history, the treasures of your experience.
Of course you will always have goals, dreams and goals, but if you become anxious and blind to the journey, you will be very disappointed when you complete what you wanted. It's such a waste to throw every other moment away and pick just one spot to put on a golden pedestal.
I'm a huge fan of the Schurmann family, and realize, like many other adventurers, their journey is the star of the show. Of course there are highlights in the middle, arrival day, summit day, but... what would these things be if it weren't for all the challenge and winding road along the way?
So friends and friends, focus on the journey. Try and open your mind for every moment that there will be the certainty of learning and joy (even if it is later).
5. Gentle with nature, cultures and peoples
Last but not least: Be gentle with nature, cultures and peoples.
It may sound like a scolding, but you're just a visitor.
Whether in time or space, we are just a presence in an immense billion-year timeline. The native peoples were there before you, and before them the trees, and before them the rocks, the rivers...
So don't arrive thinking that the land and the people are yours and they are there to satisfy you.
There will be places where you will have to respect the culture, religion, the way people dress. There will be places you can't step on because it's sacred ground. There will be places where you will have to ask permission, as that is how it has to be.
Be neutral and embark on the experience.
You may not understand certain things, but you should never interfere with something where you don't see the big picture.
Maintain a culture of leaving no traces. Don't pollute, don't destroy, don't disrespect. Leave everything as it was before.
A great explorer is not a conqueror. A great explorer is a vertex through which the beauties of the universe are unveiled.
I know many of you are here for the issues, the tips, the highlights. But, mindset is fundamental to being a better person. I hope I touched you a little with these words, and I'll see you in the next ones.