There is a hidden force that can elevate your photography massively. I know about it because, after 35 years in photography, I stumbled upon it accidentally. And I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
I don't know why, and maybe it is just a normal property of photographers in general, but I have always strived for perfection—in all areas, not just photography. Some time ago, I decided to take the best photograph I’ve ever taken in my life: a world-class shot, a masterpiece, my lifework, if you will. That is possible!
There is just one problem: my health situation doesn’t allow me to take photographs anymore. I haven’t left my house in over six months, and no one can tell me if that will ever be possible again.
It all started in the summer of 2024 when I got ill. In the first phase, I was not able to run anymore. Then, I was not able to walk anymore. Finally, I could not move at all without experiencing extreme pain. My doctors say there is just a 33 percent chance that I will be cured completely. How in the world could someone in my situation even dream of taking a world-class shot in the future?
That is nothing a photographer would ever think about when out in the field with their camera, waiting for the perfect light. But things can change quite rapidly in life. I have to admit, right now I don’t have the best hand you could ask for in a game of cards. There is a one-in-three chance that I will remain a 24-hour care case for the rest of my life. But it’s precisely these kinds of situations that can dramatically improve your photography. Here’s how:
Always Look for the Light
I want to be honest with you: when I first heard about my poor chances, I was down on the ground, crying like a baby. I realized that my life as I knew it could be over. And then I started to reproach myself. I felt that I hadn’t spent enough time with the people I loved. There were also so many interesting topics for YouTube videos I hadn’t recorded yet, and so many photographs I hadn’t taken. I realized that I might never be able to do all these things anymore in the future. So, it became clear to me that I had wasted time in the past, even when it didn’t feel like that!
Today, I’m still ill, but what I have learned, especially in landscape photography, is that things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes it gets quite difficult, if not hopeless, when you’re out in the field, waiting for the perfect conditions, but the weather god has different plans. Even then, there’s always a chance to turn things around. You might even return home with one of the best photos you’ve ever taken.
Yes, I’m still ill, and I experience pain that sometimes almost makes me faint. But in the meantime, I made a decision: if I am ever able to go out with my camera again, I will work on the most spectacular, strongest, and most enjoyable photograph I’ve ever taken in my life. I will work on my lifework, and this is possible—I see that clearly in my mind’s eye. It is a promise to myself.
My health situation has taught me that our time in this world is limited. I’m fine with that, as that is something nobody could change anyway. Ultimately, I see it as the most important thing to use this time wisely—with the people I love, but also with the actions I love. I will not engage with things or people anymore that do not add anything positive to my life. I will use every single second of my life just for the things I love. And one of those things is photography.
This Will Skyrocket Your Photography
This is by far the greatest force a creative person could develop: having a vision for creating something extraordinary—a world-class photo, someone’s lifework. I’ve known about visualization in photography for years, but this experience is taking my understanding to a whole new level.
As my illness forces me to spend most of my time lying in bed or on my couch, there are simply no distractions anymore to my creative thoughts. I’m not using my computer to plan photo tours; I just imagine how photographs in different areas could look in various weather and light situations. I’m taking photos in my head. This isn’t limited to places I’ve already been. I even imagine locations I’ve never visited. This is a lot of fun, but it also prepares me. Because as soon as I’m able to leave my house again, I will work on my personal masterpiece.
Right now, I get goosebumps just thinking about taking this one photograph—goosebumps over my whole body. I really can’t wait to press the shutter release button for this one photo!
I mean, I planned many of my photographs already in the past, but I never saw the big picture. By planning the strongest image of your life, you want to get everything as perfect as possible. You consider every detail more carefully than ever before, which pushes the boundaries of your comfort zone and leads to a natural elevation of your skills.
It wouldn’t make sense to plan to take the greatest photograph of your life tomorrow; mastery takes time and dedication. So, invest your time wisely in progressive improvement, keep taking photographs, and create your personal masterpiece in some years from now when you are much better than today. Work on your lifework!
The good news is that you don’t need to face a similar ordeal to dramatically improve your photography and create a world-class photo. You can easily apply this to your own photography, as I explain in the above-linked video.
